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The Winding Path – What Stopped My Spiritual Journey and How I Overcame It

  • Jul 24, 2025
  • 4 min read

As an intuitive Spiritual Medium and Energy Healer, Wendy is dedicated to fostering spiritual growth and guiding individuals to embrace their innate wisdom, bringing profound peace and clarity to navigate life's path.

Executive Contributor Wendy McKendrick

I was just a small child when I first became aware that there was more to life than met the eye. This inner knowing, a quiet certainty that I had a purpose beyond the visible, had been with me ever since. Yet, stepping onto a spiritual path, especially when you feel like the "odd one out," is not always a straightforward journey. It took me years and several significant hurdles to truly find my footing.


A person in a jacket stands with their back to the camera, blending into a misty mountain landscape. Cloudy, serene atmosphere.

My earliest awareness, as a teenager, brought with it a quiet anxiety: could I share this with my family and friends? Would I find support, or simply be met with misunderstanding? I confided in my mum, expressing that innate sense of difference, the feeling of not quite fitting in.


The first stumbles: Misguidance and fear


My initial attempt to connect with like-minded individuals came at eighteen, when I joined a home circle. It seemed promising, but a persistent inner voice, which I now recognise as my guide, warned me against it. I would literally run past the Native American man on the stairs who seemingly told me not to go, dismissing it as simply the host's guide. Later, I understood it was my own guide, subtly directing me away from a path not meant for my development. This early misstep, coupled with unsettling phenomena at home that frightened my mother, led me to step back from my spiritual exploration. Her fear became a significant barrier, and out of concern for her, I stopped attending.


Life's demands: A necessary pause


It was years later, in my mid-twenties, before I again sought spiritual connection. I found a Spiritualist Church that resonated deeply; I felt at home among kind, welcoming people. However, life, as it often does, intervened. With two young children needing my full attention, my spiritual journey was once more put on hold. This was not a setback due to fear or external influence, but rather the powerful, loving demands of motherhood. My path simply had to yield to immediate family needs.


The unmistakable call: Health, healing, and return


The pull back to spiritual life intensified in my forties. My body, which had previously seemed resilient, began to falter. After having my third child in my mid-thirties, I faced a cascade of health issues, eventually receiving diagnoses of ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia. This challenging period became a catalyst. I yearned to understand what was happening to me and, crucially, how I could heal.


It was a dream, clear and undeniable, that guided me back to the Spiritualist Church. I trusted this guidance implicitly, knowing it was a sign for my path forward. This time, my commitment was unwavering. I spoke to my mum, explaining my renewed dedication to the spiritual path and asking for her support with childcare. To my immense relief, she agreed, despite her lingering fears. Her apprehension, I learned, stemmed from her own inexplicable experiences over the years, leaving her bewildered by my lack of fear.


Embracing the path: Support, service, and standing strong


Returning to the Awareness classes at the Spiritualist Church was like coming home. It solidified my path, providing the tools and community I needed. I continue to be an active part of this church, and it remains a cornerstone of my spiritual life.


Perhaps one of the most fulfilling parts of this renewed journey has been helping my own mother to step onto this path and truly embrace her spiritual side, moving past her long-held fears. While our wider family may still not fully grasp what we do, often suggesting I "spend more time with the living than the dead", we know the profound comfort and healing we bring to the living by connecting them with their crossed-over loved ones.


My spiritual journey has been anything but linear. It has been a series of pauses, detours, and powerful calls back to the path. Each hurdle, from external fear and misguidance to the beautiful demands of family and the challenges of ill health, ultimately served to deepen my resolve and clarify my purpose. It taught me that while the path may bend, the inner knowing always leads us home.


Now, looking back, I can see how significantly other people's perceptions and fears impacted my initial steps. If you find yourself holding back on your own intuitive path or passions, ask yourself: Is this truly my reservation, or am I echoing the doubts or discomfort of those around me? True spiritual growth often requires bravely stepping away from external expectations and trusting that deep inner voice, even if others do not understand.


Today, I can proudly say that I fully embrace my spirituality, letting it guide every aspect of my life. The journey has not been easy, but it has been undeniably mine, leading me to a place of profound peace, purpose, and unshakeable conviction.


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Read more from Wendy McKendrick

Wendy McKendrick, Spiritual Medium and Energy Healer

Wendy embodies deep spiritual wisdom as an intuitive Spiritual Medium and Energy Healer, bringing peace and understanding to those she serves. Her personal journey of self-healing strengthened her innate gifts, fueling a passion to help others navigate life with clarity and spiritual connection. Wendy empowers clients to embrace their own inner guidance, fostering authentic growth. With a heart dedicated to family and community, her vision is to share the profound potential of the spiritual realm with as many people as possible.

This article is published in collaboration with Brainz Magazine’s network of global experts, carefully selected to share real, valuable insights.

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