5 Spiritual Practices That Changed My Life (And Don’t Cost Anything)

By Dr. Peter Sousa

Spirituality has always been a deep part of my life, but it wasn’t born out of perfection. It came from breaking points. From confusion. From asking the kinds of questions most people are afraid to say out loud. I wasn’t raised with a map for how to heal emotionally or spiritually — I had to build one on my own, piece by piece.

These five practices weren’t learned in a course or from some polished influencer with an altar that looks like a showroom. They came from moments of being on my knees, from long nights without answers, and from the quiet shifts that followed when I decided to stop running from myself.

None of these practices cost a dollar. And yet, I’d say they’ve brought more value into my life than anything else I’ve ever tried. They’re simple. But don’t mistake that for “basic.” Simplicity is often where the sacred hides.

1. Talking to Spirit Out Loud (Not Just in My Head)

I used to keep everything internal — the prayers, the requests, the fears. But there’s something powerful about speaking to Spirit, your guides, your higher self… whoever or whatever you believe is listening. Saying things out loud shifts the energy. It creates presence.

I started with just a few words while I made my coffee. “Help me see clearly today.” Or, “Please walk with me.” Over time, I got more comfortable speaking to Spirit as if I were talking to a friend. The relationship became more real.

This isn’t about theatrics. You don’t need to light incense or wear white linen (unless you want to). It’s about sincerity. Try it. Open your mouth. Speak the truth. It shifts things.

Recommended read: “The Seat of the Soul” by Gary Zukav.

2. Sitting With Discomfort (Not Trying to ‘Fix’ It)

This one changed me in ways I didn’t expect. For a long time, I tried to outrun anything uncomfortable. I’d journal it away, spiritual-bypass it, or obsessively look for a message. But eventually, I realized that sometimes, healing isn’t in the solution — it’s in the sitting.

There were days I’d literally say to myself, “Peter, just sit here. Don’t fix it. Just feel it.” And I’d sit with the ache, the uncertainty, the shame, the fear. Over time, it started to lose its power.

You don’t always need answers. Sometimes you just need presence. If you can sit with yourself in the quiet moments, you’ll start to feel a wholeness come back. No one else can give you that.

Recommended read: “When Things Fall Apart” by Pema Chödrön.

3. Asking for Signs and Actually Paying Attention

I used to ask Spirit for signs — but then scroll past them, ignore them, or doubt them the moment they arrived. The moment I started treating signs as sacred communication rather than coincidence, everything shifted.

I now ask with specificity. “If I’m meant to move forward with this, show me a feather.” Or, “Let the number 444 appear if I’m on the right path.” What matters more than the sign is the trust you place in receiving it.

And here’s the key: when the sign shows up, thank Spirit — even if it comes in a way you didn’t expect.

Recommended read: “Signs” by Laura Lynne Jackson.

4. Blessing My Space Daily

This one is so simple, but it creates major energetic shifts. Before I work, especially before I read for clients or do spiritual work, I bless my space. I say:

Sometimes I light a candle or touch my crystals — but you don’t need any tools. You just need clear intention. Blessing your space (whether it’s your desk, your car, or your body) reinforces boundaries — and for intuitive or empathic people, that’s everything.

5. Gratitude That Isn’t Performative

I used to feel like I was “supposed” to be grateful. You know, writing five things every morning, trying to force joy when I wasn’t feeling it. Eventually, I threw all that away and started whispering gratitude in real time.

It didn’t have to be deep or pretty. It just had to be real. That’s what changed everything.

Final Thoughts

These five practices brought me back to myself. They’ve carried me through grief, anxiety, burnout, and uncertainty. They still do. And they’ve helped me hold space for countless clients around the world who needed to hear from someone who’s been there, not just studied it.

If you’re reading this, maybe you’ve been there too. Or maybe you’re in it right now. Either way — you don’t need to buy a thing to start reconnecting with your own soul.

Start with your breath. Start with your truth. The rest will come.

With love,

Dr. Peter Sousa