SPIRITUAL CRAP

We’ve all seen pictures of a gorgeous, toned woman in spandex sitting in a perfect lotus pose on a breathtaking sunset on the beach.  And yes, we’ve all longed to be that woman, so at peace, so perfect.  So we go to recreate the picture. Except the sand has wedged itself into uncomfortable places, a horse fly refuses to leave your big toe, someone’s screaming in the background – and you have to pee. Sounds about right, doesn’t it?

The Myth of the Perfect Spiritual Person

But here’s what those Instagram-perfect spiritual moments aren’t showing you: the twenty attempts it took to get that shot, the mosquito bites hidden by filters, and the fact that Ms. Zen-on-the-Beach probably couldn’t feel her legs after holding that pose. More importantly, they’re not showing you the messy, beautiful reality of actual spiritual practice.

Let me share a secret: I used to think I needed the perfect setup to be “properly” spiritual. You know – the meditation cushion positioned just so, crystals arranged by chakra correspondence, incense burning (but not too much because asthma), and absolute silence (good luck with that when your neighbor decides 7 AM is the perfect time to practice their drum solo).

And don’t get me started on the misconceptions:

• You must sit still for hours (my ADHD brain just laughed so hard it fell off its chair)
• Your mind should be completely quiet (show me someone with a totally quiet mind and I’ll show you someone who’s probably napping)
• You need special clothes (apparently, my Star Wars pajamas aren’t “spiritual enough”)
• Everything must be perfectly organized (my crystals live in what I lovingly call “the chaos bowl” – they seem fine with it)

These myths are especially toxic for those of us with ADHD brains. We’re already fighting our own executive function every day – we don’t need the added pressure of spiritual perfectionism!

The Joy Revolution – Why Fun Matters

Here’s the plot twist that changed everything for me: the day I got a leg cramp and fell over into uncontrollable giggles during a “serious” meditation workshop. Picture it: there I was, trying to be my most enlightened self, when my body rebelled and my brain decided to focus on a “Cathy” cartoon from the 90’s. The harder I tried to be solemn, the funnier everything became.

And you know what? That laughing fit taught me more about presence and authenticity than a dozen “proper” meditation sessions.

Science backs this up (yes, we’re getting a little nerdy here, but in a fun way). When we’re enjoying ourselves:

• Our brains are more receptive to new patterns (translation: we learn better when we’re not beating ourselves up)
• We’re more likely to stick with a practice (because who wants to keep doing something that feels like a chore?)
• Our creativity and intuition actually increase (turns out the universe has a sense of humor – who knew?)
• We bounce back faster from “mistakes” (like that time I fell asleep during a guided meditation and woke up drooling)

Joy isn’t just the cherry on top of spiritual practice – it’s more like the yeast in bread. Without it, everything falls flat and becomes dense and heavy. Plus, have you ever noticed how children naturally connect with the magical and sacred? They don’t do it by sitting in perfect lotus position – they do it by playing, exploring, and occasionally putting things up their nose.

Making Your Practice Playfully Practical

Let’s get real about making spirituality work in the chaos of everyday life. No mountain retreats required (though if someone’s offering, I wouldn’t say no to a week of peace and professionally prepared meals).

Want to try walking meditation but keep getting distracted? Perfect! Turn it into the “Notice Cool Stuff” game. Every distraction becomes a point of connection. That squirrel interrupting your mindful moment? Maybe it’s bringing a message. (Probably “hey, got any snacks?” but still.) Bonus points for petting every dog you meet – spreading joy is spiritual work, after all.

Sacred Space Your Way: My altar includes a Grogu (Baby Yoda) figure, and I’m pretty sure the universe is fine with it. Your sacred space should reflect YOU – mess, whimsy, and all. Those crystals can live in the same bowl as your spare keys and that receipt you might need someday. I call it “creating sacred chaos” (sounds better than “I haven’t organized my stuff yet”).

When Things Go “Wrong” (Plot Twist: They Don’t)

Remember that meditation where you fell asleep and woke up drooling? Congratulations! You just practiced listening to your body’s needs. That counts. The time your mind wandered off during a ritual and you started planning dinner instead? Hey, kitchen witchery is totally valid.

Here’s my spiritual blooper reel:

• The time I tried sage cleansing and set off the smoke alarm
• When I solemnly lit a stick of incense – only to discover it was a sparkler left over from July 4th. (scared the crap out of me!)
• That awkward moment when my crystal grid got rearranged by my cat (who clearly had his own sacred geometry in mind) Ok, fine – he actually knocked everything onto the floor and started batting them around. Whatever.
• The countless times I’ve lost track during a guided meditation and had to pretend I knew what visualization we were on.

Plot twist: None of these were actually failures. They were moments of real life crashing into spiritual practice and creating something better – something authentic. Because here’s the truth: the universe doesn’t need us to be perfect. It needs us to be real.

Think about it – if the universe wanted us to be solemn and serious all the time, why did it give us endorphins? Why do babies laugh? Why do dogs get the zoomies? Joy, play, and even chaos are built into the system. Maybe they’re not bugs in the spiritual program – they’re features.

Creating Your Own Fun Practice

So how do we turn this “spiritual practice can be fun” theory into reality? Start by asking yourself some questions (and yes, answering them with “I don’t know” or “chocolate” is perfectly valid):

• What makes you naturally happy? (If your answer is “watching cat videos,” great! Mindful cat video watching is now your practice.)
• Where do you find flow? Maybe it’s while painting, quilting, or organizing your sock drawer for the fifth time this week. That state of flow? It’s spiritual gold.
• What would make you excited to practice? If traditional meditation makes you want to crawl out of your skin, what if you tried moving meditation while playing air guitar? (I’ve never tried air guitar, but am known to belt out songs while dancing with my cat. Air guitar is probably safer.)

Here’s your official permission slip (yes, really):

I, [your name], hereby give myself permission to:

• Call it meditation when I’m coloring while binge-watching my favorite show
• Consider my morning coffee ritual as sacred as any ancient ceremony
• Count laughing at memes as joy practice
• Skip days, mess up, forget, and start again without guilt
• Trust that my way of connecting is just as valid as anyone else’s

Remember: The only “wrong” spiritual practice is one you’ll never stick with because it makes you miserable.

The Joy Is the Point

Let me share something that took me way too long to learn: The universe has a wicked sense of humor. Don’t believe me? Look at platypuses. Or remember that time you said “you too” when the movie ticket taker said “enjoy your film.” These aren’t cosmic accidents – they’re reminders to lighten up.

My most profound spiritual moments haven’t come from sitting in perfect meditation. They’ve come from:

• Singing loudly while washing dishes
• Laughing so hard I peed myself (shh, that’s a secret)
• Having deep conversations with my pets
• Finding heart-shaped rocks when I’m having a rough day
• Actually remembering to drink from that water bottle I wrote affirmations on

Because here’s the real secret: Joy isn’t just a nice bonus in spiritual practice – it’s the whole point. That feeling of connection, of being fully alive and present? That’s what we’re actually seeking. And if you can find that while having a dance party in your living room or drawing oracle cards during your lunch break, you’re doing it exactly right.

Your Turn to Play:

• Try one ridiculously fun spiritual practice this week
• Share your spiritual blooper moments in the comments (we could all use a good laugh)
• Join our community of imperfect practitioners (where perfectly messy is perfectly fine)

Remember: The universe doesn’t need you to be perfect. It just needs you to be authentically, messily, joyfully you.

P.S. If you try my “dance party with your guides” suggestion, I want to hear all about it. Especially if you picked embarrassing songs from the 90s. Those are the best kind.