Why Your Spiritual Practice Should Feel Like a Hug, Not a Rulebook

The first time I tried journaling as a “spiritual practice,” I bought a leather notebook that smelled expensive enough to make me feel wise. I sat at the table, fighting pen in hand, and wrote: “Dear God (whatever you are), I’m here.” Then… nothing. Five minutes later, I’d drawn a questionable sketch of a cat coding a mouse dating app and listed three brands of hummus I wanted to try.

I thought I’d failed. But here’s the thing—spiritual practice was never meant to look like flawless handwriting in a candlelit room. It’s not about checking the correct boxes or following a strict technical-manual. At its best, it feels like slipping into something familiar and safe. Like a hug, not a rulebook.

Rules Can Create Distance, Not Closeness

When spirituality feels like a set of rules, it can quickly turn into pressure.

• Did I do it right?
• Did I say enough?
• Am I falling short?

These questions don’t bring us closer to peace; they push us away from it. The truth is: you don’t need perfection. What matters most is the intention—the gentle turn of your heart toward something greater than yourself.

A Hug is Presence, Not Perfection

Think of the last time you received a genuine hug. It didn’t matter if you looked your best, if you had the right words, or if the moment was “structured.” What mattered was presence. That is exactly how spiritual practice can feel.

And presence doesn’t always look lofty. Sometimes it looks like a doodle of a cat coding a dating app, or the sudden thought that you should really pick up that roasted-red-pepper hummus. What matters isn’t the output—it’s that you showed up.

When we release the pressure of performance, spirituality becomes less about getting it “right” and more about being held—by stillness, by presence, by love.

Reframing Your Practice

If you’ve ever felt like you’re failing at your practice, try shifting the frame:

Instead of rules → Look for rhythm. Maybe it’s three minutes of quiet breathing, or a walk where you notice the beauty around you.

Instead of perfection → Look for presence. Your attention, however brief, is sacred.

Instead of judgment → Look for gentleness. Treat yourself with the same kindness you’d offer a friend.

The Invitation: A Hug for Your Spirit

Spiritual practice is not meant to weigh you down—it’s meant to lift you up. It’s not about crossing every “t” in a rulebook, but about creating moments that feel like a hug: steady, warm, and welcoming.

Start small. Pause for a breath. Offer a prayer in your own words. Listen for the quiet within. That’s enough. That’s more than enough.

Closing Thought

Spiritual practice isn’t about flawless execution—it’s about finding the small, human ways we turn toward presence. Some days that might look like stillness, other days it might look like scribbling a cat with a side hustle or craving hummus mid-prayer. They all count!

Let it feel like a hug. Not a rulebook.

✨ Want to experience this gentler way of practice?

That’s exactly what Praiyerly was created for: a space where spirituality is simple, compassionate, and always there to meet you—just as you are. Give it a try.