Does Spirit Expect Too Much? Understanding Energy Costs in Mediumship

Let’s be honest—evidential mediumship isn’t just hard, it’s exhausting. Not just the “oof, I need a nap” kind of tired, but the “I have become one with my sofa and might never get up again” level of depletion.

And yet, so many of us push ourselves to keep going because we believe that if spirit wants us on the team, they’ll surely give us the energy to do the work, right?

Spoiler alert: That’s not how it works.

In reality, the energy costs of mediumship are very real, and if we don’t manage them properly, they can leave us physically, emotionally, and spiritually drained. So today, let’s have an honest chat about how much mediumship really takes from us—and whether spirit expects too much.

Mediumship Burnout: The Dirty Secret No One Talks About

When I first started my mediumship journey, I assumed that if I just practiced enough, I’d reach a point where it became effortless. That the more I worked with spirit, the less tired I’d feel.

Ha.

If anything, the opposite happened. The more readings I did, the more it took out of me.

And this isn’t just me. Mediumship burnout is real. I’ve seen so many students and professional mediums start out passionate, excited, and eager—only to hit a wall months or years later, wondering why they feel utterly wrecked.

So, let’s break it down: Why is mediumship so draining?

1. The Energy Exchange: It’s Not Just You and Spirit

People love to say, “But the energy comes from spirit, not from you!” as if that somehow means you shouldn’t feel tired. And while, yes, spirit does provide energy, you are still the conduit—and that comes at a cost.

Imagine being a WiFi router. The signal (spirit) is there, but if the router (you) is overloaded, constantly switched on, and never reset, what happens?

It crashes.

Every time we work, we’re:

• Blending our energy with spirit

• Holding space for the sitter’s emotions

• Managing our own nerves, doubts, and expectations

• Translating spirit’s messages into something meaningful

And all of that takes a huge toll on the nervous system.

2. Sitting in Grief: The Emotional Weight of Readings

Evidential mediumship isn’t just about “Oh hey, your nan says she loves you.” It’s about stepping into a person’s deepest pain, their rawest emotions, and holding space for them in their grief.

That’s a lot to carry.

Even if you’re the most emotionally stable person on the planet (congrats, by the way), sitting in someone’s heartbreak day in and day out is bound to affect you. And it’s not just the sitter’s grief—it’s the emotional charge of spirit too.

When you bring through a father who never got to say goodbye, or a child who passed too soon, you feel it. It sits in your energy, in your body. It’s why so many mediums feel completely depleted after a reading.

3. The Unrealistic Business Model of Mediumship

I see so many developing mediums planning their future business with something like this:

✨ “I’ll do five readings a day, five days a week. That’s 25 readings, and at £50 each, I’ll make £1,250 a week. Perfect!” ✨

…Except, no.

That’s not how this works. That’s not how any of this works.

Even if you’re an absolute powerhouse, five evidential readings in a day will flatten you. The energy recovery needed is massive, and if you ignore it, you’ll crash hard.

And yet, we push ourselves because we think we should be able to do more. That if we’re struggling, we’re somehow failing.

Which brings me to…

Does Spirit Actually Expect This Much From Us?

Here’s where it gets interesting:

Every time I’ve turned to spirit and said, “Do you want me to be a medium?” They’ve never said yes.

Never.

Instead, they say: “Do you want to be a medium?”

And that’s the kicker. Spirit isn’t demanding anything from us. They don’t expect us to burn ourselves out, run ourselves into the ground, or sacrifice our well-being for this work.

They simply offer us the opportunity—and leave it to us to decide what to do with it.

So, How Do We Protect Our Energy?

If you’re finding mediumship overwhelming, exhausting, or unsustainable, it’s time to rethink your approach. Here are some practical ways to balance the work without burning out:

1. Set a Realistic Schedule

• 1–2 readings per day, max. Any more, and you’re pushing it.

• Take rest days. Yes, actual days off where you don’t do readings.

2. Create an Energy Recovery Plan

• Salt baths, grounding, hydration. Treat your body like an athlete does post-game.

• Energy protection practices. Whether it’s visualizations, crystals, or just a strong intention, protect your space.

• Move your body. Mediumship keeps you in your head—get back into your body with walking, yoga, or interpretive dance (no judgment).

3. Know When to Say No

• If you feel emotionally drained, reschedule readings.

• If you’re not in the right headspace, take a break.

• If you’re forcing yourself to work out of guilt, remember—spirit doesn’t need you to sacrifice yourself to serve.

Final Thoughts: Mediumship Isn’t a Race

If you’re feeling exhausted by mediumship, you’re not failing—you’re human.

Spirit isn’t sitting up there with a checklist, judging you for not doing enough. They want you to succeed, but more importantly, they want you to be well.

So, if you’re running on empty, consider this your permission slip to slow down, set boundaries, and put yourself first.

Because spirit doesn’t expect too much from us—we just expect too much from ourselves.

What do you think? Does mediumship wipe you out, or have you found the secret to balancing it all? Drop your thoughts in the comments!