How to Work with Your Spirit Guides (Without Overcomplicating It)

Let’s be honest—when it comes to spirit guides, most people get stuck on two things:

1. Am I actually connecting with them, or am I just making it up?

2. How do I get clear, undeniable, sky-opening, harp-playing, Hollywood-worthy proof that they are real?

If you’ve ever sat there in meditation, waiting for a wise, bearded guru to appear with a booming voice of wisdom, only to be met with complete and utter silence—welcome to the club. You’re not alone, and no, spirit isn’t ghosting you (pun intended).

So, let’s break it down. What are spirit guides, how do you work with them, and how do you actually know it’s real?

What Are Spirit Guides?

Before we dive into the how, let’s clear up a major misconception:

Your spirit guides are not floating around in white robes, judging your dodgy life choices. They’re not waiting for you to say the magic words before they decide to show up. And—here’s the kicker—they’re not even separate from you in the way you might think.

I personally believe that spirit guides are actually aspects of your own soul. Think of them as the parts of you that stayed in the spirit world while you bravely signed up for another round of Earth School. (Seriously, what were we thinking?)

They come in different forms—some as familiar, human-like figures, others as symbols, animals, or even just a feeling. The important thing is not what they look like, but what they teach you.

How to Connect with Your Spirit Guides

Now, this is where most people overcomplicate things. They think they need to be in deep meditation on a remote mountain, wearing linen and chanting in Sanskrit before their guides will finally speak.

Nope. Connecting with your spirit guides is actually quite simple, but like anything in mediumship, it takes trust and consistency. Here’s how to do it:

1. Recognize How Spirit Already Communicates with You

Most people are already receiving guidance but don’t realize it. Have you ever:✅ Thought of someone randomly, and they called you two minutes later?✅ Had a strong gut feeling about something, and it turned out to be true?✅ Asked for a sign and then immediately dismissed it because “it was probably just a coincidence”?

Yeah. That’s your spirit team. Stop doubting it.

Your guides aren’t going to start skywriting messages just because you demand it (although, wouldn’t that be convenient?). They’re subtle. They use nudges, thoughts, sensations, and symbols.

2. Build a Relationship (Like You Would with a New Friend)

Let’s imagine you’re meeting someone new. Would you: A) Stare at them silently, demanding they prove their existence before you speak? B) Say hello, start a conversation, and actually listen to what they say?

If you answered A—well, that’s a bit awkward, isn’t it?

Your spirit guides are the same. Talk to them. Ask questions. Be curious. And most importantly, listen. Not with your ears, but with your awareness. Their answers might come as a feeling, a word, an image, or even a random song lyric that suddenly makes perfect sense.

One of my students recently realized that every time she connected with her guides, she got a sensation on the left side of her body—a tingle, a twitch in her lip, and even words coming in from the left. That was her personal sign. Your experience might be different, but the key is to notice the patterns.

3. Ditch the Need for "Proof" (Because Spirit Doesn’t Work That Way)

I know, I know—we all want undeniable evidence that our guides are real. But here’s the brutal truth: the need for proof is the biggest block to actually receiving it.

Spirit doesn’t work like Amazon Prime. You don’t place an order for a sign and expect it to arrive in 24 hours with a tracking number.

The minute you go, "Was that really my guide? Or am I making it up?"—you’re cutting off the flow. Trust first, question later.

And if you’re thinking, "But Hannah, what if I get it wrong?"—good news! There’s no way to fail at this. Even if you misinterpret something, your guides will find another way to get the message across. They’re persistent like that.

4. Look for Energy Shifts

Your spirit guides aren’t separate from your energy—so when they come close, you’ll feel it. This might be:🔹 A sudden wave of calm or warmth🔹 A tingling sensation (somewhere consistent)🔹 A change in temperature around you🔹 A shift in your thoughts, like inspiration dropping in from nowhere

Not everyone sees their guides, and that’s okay. Some people just know they’re there. Others hear a voice (in their own head), or feel a shift in energy. However it happens for you is how it’s meant to happen for you.

5. Practice Without Pressure

Here’s where most people mess it up: they try too hard.

Spirit communication works best when you’re in a relaxed, playful state. When you’re desperate for it to happen, you create resistance.

Ever notice how you get your best ideas in the shower? That’s because your brain isn’t overthinking. The same applies here. Stop forcing it. Start playing with it.

Try this simple exercise:1️⃣ Ask your guides to give you one word as a message.2️⃣ The first thing that pops into your mind—no matter how random—is it.3️⃣ Instead of dismissing it, ask yourself, "Why this word? What does it mean for me?"

Even if you get something ridiculous like “frangipane” (which my brain just randomly gave me), don’t judge it. See what unfolds.

Final Thoughts: Spirit Guides Are Already Working with You

The biggest mistake people make? Thinking spirit is “out there” somewhere, waiting to be summoned.

Your guides are already with you, already communicating—you just have to pay attention and trust what you get.

So, stop waiting for sky-written messages, drop the overthinking, and start talking to them.

And if you ever get a random thought, sensation, or word that makes you go “Huh?”—that’s probably them.

Now, go and actually practice this. Spirit’s been waiting for you to notice.

Enjoyed this?

If you want deeper support in developing your connection, check out The Gateway. It’s packed with live workshops, practice sessions, and a whole community of mediums who actually get it.

Got a weird experience with your spirit guides? Drop it in the comments—I love hearing your stories. 👇