Why Mediumship Feels Like You’re Making It Up (And Why That’s Normal)

If you’ve ever sat there in a reading, waiting for spirit to descend in a blaze of light with an earth-shattering message, only to get…

"Um, I think I’m feeling something… maybe… wait… nope, that’s just my own brain"—congratulations! You’re doing it right.

One of the biggest struggles for developing mediums (and even experienced ones!) is that it all feels like you’re making it up. Seriously. Every single one of us has been there, questioning our sanity, wondering if we’re just talking to ourselves, and desperately waiting for that undeniable, Hollywood-style proof.

Spoiler alert: It doesn’t work like that. And that’s a good thing.

So, why does mediumship feel fake? And more importantly, how do you move past that doubt so you can actually trust what you’re getting?

Let’s dive in.

1. Your Brain Is Always Involved – And That’s Normal

A lot of people expect mediumship to feel like spirit bursting into the room, shoving a full biography of Aunt Maureen into their brain, complete with birth certificate and last known address.

Nope.

Mediumship is subtle. It’s not something that happens to you, it’s something that happens through you.

When you get a piece of information, it’s going to come through your own mind, your own thoughts, and your own interpretation. You’re not hearing an external voice like a loudspeaker—it’s your own inner voice, just infused with spirit energy.

This is where people trip up. They think, “If it’s coming from my own head, I must be making it up.”

Wrong.

It feels like you’re making it up because it’s passing through your consciousness. That doesn’t make it any less real.

Think of it like this:🔹 Ever had a gut feeling that turned out to be right?🔹 Ever thought of someone randomly, only for them to text you five minutes later?🔹 Ever walked into a room and just felt the energy shift?

All of that feels like your own thoughts—but that doesn’t mean it’s imaginary. It’s perception. Mediumship works exactly the same way.

2. Spirit Takes the Path of Least Resistance

Spirit is not going to make this harder than it needs to be. They don’t have time for that, and neither do you.

They communicate through what’s easiest for you to pick up on. That might be:🔹 A knowing (you just suddenly “know” something about a spirit person).🔹 A feeling (a tingle, a sensation, a wave of emotion).🔹 An image (but it might be subtle and fleeting, not a full-blown movie scene).🔹 A thought that just "drops in" (that you immediately doubt).

If you’re expecting full apparitions walking through your living room but your brain is better at picking up emotions or thoughts—guess what? That’s how they’ll work with you.

And yes, because it flows so naturally, it won’t feel dramatic. It won’t feel forced. And that makes you doubt it even more.

3. Doubt Is Part of the Process

I wish I could tell you there’s a magical point where you’ll never question your connection again. But in reality?

Doubt never fully goes away.

Even professional, seasoned mediums have days where they think, “Am I even doing this right?”

The difference? They’ve just gotten used to the doubt and don’t let it stop them.

I always say, mediumship is a trust exercise on steroids. You’re jumping out of the plane, hoping the parachute opens.

So, instead of resisting doubt, accept that it’s part of the process. Mediumship isn’t about never doubting—it’s about trusting despite the doubt.

4. Spirit Likes to Mess with You (And That’s a Good Thing)

Let’s talk about those "off" days—the ones where you feel like you’ve lost all ability to connect and spirit has abandoned you.

One minute, you’re nailing readings left, right, and centre. The next, it’s like trying to get WiFi in a remote cave.

This is not a mistake. It’s spirit training you.

Spirit knows you love that one clear sign, that one reliable feeling that lets you know they’re there.

So, what do they do? They take it away.

I had a student recently tell me, “I always felt my guides on the left side of my face, but now I feel nothing! Have they left me?”

Nope. They just don’t want you to get too comfortable.

They’ll shake things up to stop you from relying on just one method. They want you to grow.

So, if things suddenly feel different, don’t panic—it means you’re evolving.

5. The Trick to Mediumship: Stop Overthinking, Start Talking

Here’s a little hack to get out of your own way:

Instead of sitting there waiting for more information to come, just start speaking.

Seriously. Open your mouth and say something.

It might sound like:"I feel a male presence… he’s giving me a sense of humor… I feel drawn to the name John…”

The minute you start talking, more will come.

It’s like turning on a tap—once the water starts flowing, it keeps going.

If you sit there waiting for the whole message before you speak, you’ll block yourself. Say what you get, and let it unfold.

Final Thoughts: You’re Not Crazy, You’re Just a Medium

If you take nothing else from this, take this:

It is SUPPOSED to feel like you’re making it up.

That’s because spirit works through your mind, not outside of it. The trick is trusting what you get, even when your brain tells you it’s nonsense.

So next time you’re in a reading, thinking, “Am I just imagining this?”—say it anyway.

You’ll be amazed how much of it turns out to be right.

Enjoyed this?

Want to develop your mediumship without second-guessing yourself every two seconds? Join The Gateway for live workshops, practice sessions, and a community of mediums who actually get it.

Have you ever had a reading where it felt like you were making it all up—only to be shocked when it was accurate? Share in the comments! 👇