Spirituality is not some overnight transition. It’s a continuous journey towards inner peace and deeper meaning, while the path is unique and highly personal for each of us. If you wish to tap into your spiritual side but aren’t sure where to begin, however, there are certain activities you may try to get you started. 

Finding your community

Spirituality comes in many shapes and forms, but it rarely thrives in isolation. Humans are inherently social beings, so having a supportive community can help your quest for meaning. It’s a way to meet people with shared values and beliefs, working towards a common goal. 

Now, this does not necessarily have to be religion-related, such as a church or temple. It could also be somewhere like a yoga studio or even a book club. In fact, reading books is a great starting point to get familiar with different practices and philosophies. Or, perhaps, you may feel most comfortable sharing your experiences online, on a spiritual forum. 

Whatever this may be for you, embrace it with an open mind, eager to learn. Only through exploration and discussions will you find something that aligns with you to grab onto. 

Connecting with nature

Nature is a hugely important part of spirituality, as people tend to feel most grounded in natural environments. Taking yourself away from the daily stresses and digital distractions is a powerful tool to reconnect with your soul instead. It gives you the time to reflect, while also exercising your physical body. 

Whether it’s a walk in your local park or a weekend hiking in the mountains, try and fit in visits to green spaces as often as you can. If you’re looking to push yourself even further, consider walking the Camino de Santiago – a network of pilgrim routes leading to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. This journey may last anywhere from a week up to a month, with one of the most known benefits being spiritual and personal growth. 

Camino is a prime example of how something as simple as walking through nature has helped thousands of growth-seeking people throughout centuries. And, with Santiago Ways taking care of all logistics, including accommodation and luggage transfers, all you have to do is show up for yourself.

Mindfulness and meditation

While community connects you with others and nature grounds you, practising mindfulness is something that focuses inward. It is essentially the practice of paying attention to the present moment without judgment. It’s about easing your mind and tapping into your inner world. 

Meditation is the most popular exercise for mindfulness, helping you build this mental muscle, which can then be applied even in the most mundane activities. It’s also known to improve focus and reduce anxiety, helping you regulate your own emotions better. 

Getting started can feel difficult at first, especially in a world where everything seems to go 100 miles an hour. However, there are lots of guided meditation apps and resources to help you. Once you feel confident doing it yourself, integrate it into your daily life. 

Be kind to yourself

Spirituality is about the journey, not the destination. So, try to go into it with zero expectations. Instead, be patient and grateful to yourself for showing up with an open heart each day.