Is It Spirit or Your Imagination? How to Tell the Difference

Welcome to the wonderful (and occasionally frustrating) world of mediumship, where one of the biggest questions I get asked—and let’s be honest, one we all ask ourselves at some point—is: Is this Spirit, or am I just making it up?

If you've ever sat there wondering if you're having a profound spiritual connection or just experiencing an overactive imagination, you are absolutely not alone. In fact, if mediums got a pound every time we doubted ourselves, we’d all be sipping cocktails on a beach somewhere, not nervously holding onto our notepads wondering, "Did Spirit just say that, or was it my brain going rogue again?"

The Truth About Spiritual Connection: Spoiler Alert… It’s Subtle

I hate to break it to you, but mediumship is rarely like the movies. There are no booming voices from the heavens, no ghostly figures floating around in Victorian attire pointing dramatically at family heirlooms. Most of the time, Spirit communication feels incredibly subtle—so subtle that you’ll probably dismiss it as your imagination, at least at first.

You know what it feels like for me, after years of doing this work? Like I’m sat in a room, making it all up. Yep. That’s right. It often feels like I could be having a very vivid daydream. The difference? When I share what I receive, it resonates with the person I'm reading for in ways I couldn't possibly know. That’s where the magic happens—in the validation.

Spirit vs. Imagination: The Key Differences

1. Imagination Feels Controlled, Spirit Feels SpontaneousWhen you imagine something, you’re steering the ship. You’re deciding what happens next. But Spirit communication often feels like information just drops in out of nowhere. It’s unexpected, like thinking about a random yellow teapot when you’ve never cared about teapots in your life… only to have your sitter burst into tears because their Nan had a cherished yellow teapot. (True story.)

2. Imagination is Predictable, Spirit Surprises YouIf you’re thinking, "Oh, I bet her grandad liked gardening because she looks outdoorsy," that’s probably you. But if you suddenly feel the urge to blurt out, "Did your grandad have a thing for collecting rubber ducks?" and they respond with, "OMG, yes! He had hundreds!" That’s Spirit. Trust me, you can't make that stuff up. Well, you could, but it would be oddly specific and incredibly lucky.

3. Spirit Feels Like a Whisper, Not a ShoutPeople expect Spirit to feel loud and overwhelming, but honestly? It's the opposite. It’s quiet, gentle, and easy to miss if you're too busy doubting yourself. Think of Spirit like background music—if you’re not paying attention, it blends into the noise. But once you focus, you realise there’s a whole melody playing.

The Confidence Conundrum: Why Doubt is Actually a Good Sign

Here's the kicker: doubting yourself is part of the process. In fact, I'd be more worried if you never questioned it. Self-doubt shows you’re invested in doing this ethically and authentically. The trick isn’t to eliminate doubt (good luck with that), but to work alongside it.

You learn to trust Spirit the same way you trust any relationship—through experience. The more you practice, the more you’ll notice that these “made-up” thoughts are weirdly accurate. Like when you tell someone, "I keep hearing the name Doris," and they respond, "That was my mum." Suddenly, it doesn’t feel so imaginary, does it?

Practical Tips to Build Your Trust

1. Say It Anyway: If you get a nudge, an image, or a feeling, share it. Spirit isn’t handing you golden scrolls of obvious evidence; they work subtly. That random image of a red balloon? It could be the exact thing your sitter needed to hear.

2. Keep a Journal: Write down your intuitive hits, even the ones that seem silly. Over time, you'll see patterns and validations that prove it wasn’t your imagination after all.

3. Practice with Others: The best way to strengthen your mediumship muscles is by practicing with real people. It’s one thing to think, “I’m feeling something,” and another to say it out loud and hear, “That’s spot on!”

Final Thoughts: You’re Not Broken, You’re Learning

Mediumship isn’t about getting it right 100% of the time. It’s about showing up, trusting what you receive, and being okay with the fact that sometimes you’ll get it wrong. That’s not failure; that’s part of the process.

So, is it Spirit or your imagination? Sometimes it’s both. Spirit uses your mind, your thoughts, and your feelings as their canvas. But the more you practice, the more you’ll see the difference—and the more you’ll realise that your imagination isn’t your enemy; it’s part of the connection.

Now go forth and embrace the wobble. Doubt and all.