Finding people I could talk to about my spiritual experiences was crucial for me. I needed an outlet to share what was happening to me and to know I wasn’t alone. So, for the next year, I dove headfirst into researching everything about spirituality: spiritual awakening, spirits, spirit guides, and more. I vividly remember keeping a journal to document my thoughts and newfound revelations as they emerged. The Gaia channel became my sanctuary, offering a plethora of documentaries and interviews featuring people experiencing similar things.

In 2019, I jotted down a few seemingly insignificant notes in my journal that would later play a significant role in my journey: Peru, Sacred Valley, Ayahuasca, Rythmia, and San Pedro. Although I couldn’t recall the exact reason for writing them at the time, they seemed to hold a mysterious significance, perhaps a vision or a download from the spirit realm. Despite my passion for researching spiritual topics, I still yearned for a community.

I delved into various spiritual practices in search of something that resonated with me. Initially, I trained to become a Tibetan sound bowl healer, but upon completing the course, it didn’t feel right. The same happened with Reiki practice and other healing modalities I pursued; they felt like preparations for an unseen spiritual battle. However, every time I completed something, my spirit guide whispered that what I truly needed was the knowledge itself. So, I continued my quest for understanding, learning everything I could until it felt authentic, though nothing ever did.

During this period, I formed a small group of friends who were also undergoing spiritual shifts. While some of their experiences weren’t as intense as mine, we engaged in deep discussions about spirituality for hours, sharing our experiences and discoveries. Additionally, I leaned on a close friend who had undergone their own intense awakening during the birth of their child, finding their insights invaluable. However, the spiritual community has a tendency to pull some people into endless pursuits, with many chasing experiences and healing modalities without finding true fulfillment. Consequently, the support groups I initially formed didn’t last long as we each navigated our individual paths.

Yet, my spirit guide had a different plan for me: to look within. They revealed that my experiences and growth would stem from internal exploration rather than external pursuits. So, I began the arduous journey of self-work, dedicating myself to daily meditation at 5 am and 4 pm. Meditation felt like a profound connection to my inner being, becoming the one healing modality I religiously practiced.

As far as my tribe, I knew I would have to go at this alone, at least for now. But through it all, I did make a kindred spirit who stuck by me through the developing stages of my journey, Charlie. Charlie continues to witness my growth and development, providing unwavering support during my most challenging moments. Without her, I’m not sure I could navigate this journey with my sanity intact. It feels as though she was sent to me by the Universe as my guiding star. So I didn’t find my tribe, but I definitely found my spiritual friend.

However, what happens next is something neither Charlie nor I could have anticipated.