Self-growth is essential journey—for each of us individually and for humanity as a whole. Yet, the allure of various practices and emerging spiritual beliefs can sometimes lead us into new traps, which is nothing other than another system that doesn't serve us and creates only the illusion of mindfulness and authenticity.

Also, it becomes a form of entertainment, wrapped in Instagram aesthetics and catchy TikToks, where there is more shiny candy wrapper than real meaning. More people are exploring spiritual wisdom through podcasts or learning about chakras from influencers with ring lights. With this rapid rise comes a big question mark: are we growing, or just consuming… as before.

Personal growth should be accessible and even enjoyable, although it is challenging. And it's good that the information is available to us in every way possible – books, podcasts, reels, and Instagram lives, spiritual influencers, coaches, and experienced people sharing their knowledge. But when spiritual practices are marketed like trends, things can get messy. The line between authentic growth and commodified vibes can blur fast. So, how do you know if your journey is really your journey?

From Intimate to Entertaining

Spirituality used to be something intimate, practiced in quiet corners of our lives. Today, it’s often showcased in 15-second reels with ambient music and a cosmic filter. This shift isn’t all bad—accessibility has skyrocketed, and more people are open to exploring their inner world. But with the packaging comes performance. Spirituality becomes a product: cool crystal kits, aesthetic tarot decks, or third-eye-opening retreats. So, what is real and what is fake?

There’s nothing wrong with enjoying beautiful things or digestible content. The issue is depth. Are we pausing to integrate what we’re learning, or just consuming feel-good content for the dopamine hit? Growth becomes a passive experience, not an active one. If you're not careful, you might mistake consuming spiritual content for doing spiritual work—and those two aren't the same. The same applies to spiritual practices – sessions, healings, ayahuasca, etc.; if what was experienced and healed during the practice is not integrated after, it loses its meaning. A healing session alone does not bring true healing. What’s truly needed is a deep understanding, drawing meaningful conclusions, and learning how to live in a new, more aligned way. Besides, it takes time.

Only real changes in your life show whether you have allowed yourself to heal and understand what is happening.

The Illusion of Instant Enlightenment

The internet loves a quick fix. “Manifest your dream life in seven days!” or “Raise your vibration instantly with this sound!” The promise is a fast and effortless transformation. But the reality is that spiritual growth is rarely quick—or easy.

Authentic growth usually looks like discomfort, reflection, and sometimes chaos. It involves sitting with tough emotions, confronting your ego, and breaking unhelpful patterns. The allure of instant enlightenment skips these steps, offering feel-good quotes instead of grounded practices. And no, there is nothing wrong with nice quotes – if you can separate illusion from reality, and are aware of how to put them into practice.

But at the same time, excessive attachment to beautiful words isn’t just misleading—it can be harmful. When people hit real emotional resistance, they may feel like they’ve failed, not realizing that struggle is actually part of the path. Spiritual awakening is not all butterflies and fairies, and it is not dominated by positive toxicity. Spiritual growth is raw, and it has absolutely everything…

So, while bite-sized wisdom can inspire, it shouldn't replace deeper, longer-term inner work.

Spiritual Bypassing in Disguise

Spiritual bypassing—a fancy term for avoiding real emotional work by hiding behind feel-good spiritual language. It's when people say things like, “Everything happens for a reason” or “Just focus on the positive,” even when serious healing and actions are needed. These are the beliefs that lead to bypasses. No, not everything happens for a reason on the way to good. That's why there a global awakening happens – because something was gone wrong.

In the entertainment-driven version of spirituality, bypassing is often disguised as positivity. You might scroll past dozens of posts urging you to “let go of what no longer serves you” or “be high-vibe only.” While these sentiments sound empowering, they can pressure people to suppress negative emotions or avoid real-life challenges. You don't grow by avoiding. It’s just running away. But are you brave enough to enter a situation with a new perspective?

True spirituality invites us to feel deeply, not ignore discomfort. Growth isn’t just about light—it’s about exploring the shadow too. If all you're hearing is "love and light," without any talk of grief, rage, or trauma, that’s a red flag. Love and light is the whole point, it is everything that matters. But to truly reach this awareness, one must break through one's dark thickets without denying them.

Illusion with Influencer Gurus

Social media influencers have become the new spiritual guides. Some are genuinely knowledgeable and offer deep wisdom. Others – not so much. For some, their advices are based more on branding than experience. Spiritualism is trending. And there are many who have gained insight into it, already feeling like gurus who want to share what they have just learned with the whole world. When someone with great lighting and a smooth voice tells you how to “heal your trauma” in three steps, it’s easy to believe. But before relay on them, ask yourself: Does this person walk their talk? Do they offer nuance and humility, or one-size-fits-all solutions? Authentic spiritual teachers invite you to think critically and grow on your own terms—not just follow their aesthetic.

Inspiration can spark real change. But at some point, you have to start integrating. That’s where embodiment comes in—living what you learn. The key is reflection. Ask yourself: “Am I applying this in my life, or just consuming it for comfort?” Both are valid—just don’t confuse one for the other.

Feeling Yourself

It’s completely normal, especially at the start of our self-growth journey, to believe every charismatic "teacher" we hear. Everything feels so fresh and exciting! But as you dive deeper into the topics that spark your interest, integrate it and go through your shadow work, it’s important to begin assembling your own personal world puzzle. Discover your own truth. Make decisions for yourself through your own filter. But don't apply the same to others.

How do I know if I’m spiritually bypassing?

If you constantly avoid negative emotions, suppress pain, or use “positive vibes only” to ignore real issues, and you read, educate yourself, go to retreats, but don't change anything in your life, you might be bypassing. True growth includes the hard stuff too.

Authentic spiritual growth looks like increased self-awareness, emotional resilience, deeper compassion, and a willingness to face uncomfortable truths—not just feeling good all the time.

Author: Ieva Simanoviča