You Don’t Have to Be Religious to Be Spiritual
By Daija Prather, M.A., LCMHCA, NCC
You Don’t Have to Be Religious to Be Spiritual
For many of us, the word “spirituality” instantly brings to mind church pews, Bible studies, or religious rules passed down from generations. But what happens when those frameworks no longer fit — or never did? What if you’ve always felt spiritual but never quite religious? Does that mean you’re disconnected from something sacred?
Not at all.
In therapy, I often meet people who feel disconnected — not because they lack belief, but because they’ve been taught that belief only counts when it fits in a box. They may say things like:
“I grew up in church, but I don’t go anymore... and I feel lost.”
“I’m spiritual, but, I’m simply not religious but believe in a higher power.”
“I want a relationship with God, but I don’t see myself in the way it’s taught.”
These aren’t signs of failure. They’re signs of spiritual emergence.
Redefining What Spirituality Means
Spirituality doesn’t have to be formal or institutional to be meaningful. At its core, spirituality is about connection — to yourself, to something greater, and to a sense of purpose or peace. That connection can come through stillness, creativity, movement, or even relationships.
Some people feel most spiritually grounded:
While meditating, journaling, or praying alone
When dancing, creating art, or singing freely
In nature, walking barefoot on the earth or watching the stars
Through ancestral practices, herbal rituals, or energy work
During yoga or breathwork — tuning into the wisdom of the body
You don’t need permission to find the Divine in places others overlook. Spirituality isn’t limited to a sanctuary; it lives in the sacredness of your everyday life.
Why This Matters for Mental Health?
When we feel like we’ve lost our spiritual footing, we may also feel unanchored in other areas of life. Identity, purpose, even self-worth can all feel fuzzy. But when we begin to reclaim spirituality — on our own terms — something inside often clicks into place. We feel more whole, freer.
As a therapist, I’ve seen how empowering it is for people to realize:
You are allowed to hold space for both faith and freedom. For questioning and connection. For a path that feels both true and alive.
A Few Gentle Questions for Reflection
Where do I feel most spiritually alive?
What practices, even outside religion, help me feel connected to something greater?
What parts of me have I silenced in the name of fitting in spiritually?
What might it look like to create a spiritual practice that’s mine — one that honors both my healing and my truth?
You Get to Choose
Whether you’re deconstructing, rebuilding, or simply exploring, know this: your spiritual path doesn’t have to match anyone else’s. It just has to feel like home to you.
And that home? It might not be in a building.
It might be in your breath.
Your body.
Your story.
Your becoming.
