"What qualifies you to be a psychic medium?"
This question used to haunt me. For nearly two decades, I kept my psychic abilities hidden, uncertain of how to share my gifts. I felt a strong awareness of how unscientific this field was and it wasn't like I had a formal education from a top university to offer these services. But I didn't go looking for these experiences, I attracted them in my life and they became an undeniable part of my existence.
The question resurfaced recently in an unexpected moment. I was grabbing lunch at a café when the cashier and I struck up a conversation. As I shared a bit about what I do, she immediately asked, “Where did you learn this? Did you go to school for it?”
Instinctively, I pointed to the sky, half-joking, “I graduated from the Universal Certification Program.”
Her question reminded me of how deeply ingrained our societal reliance is on formal education—on the letters after our names that supposedly qualify us to do the work we do. And while education is undoubtedly important, especially in fields where specialized skills are essential, how many of us rely solely on the degrees we've earned? How many of us, instead, draw more from the life experiences that followed?
For instance, during my time as a fitness and nutrition coach, I quickly realized that while my certification provided foundational knowledge, my real growth came from working directly with clients. In the gym, I paid close attention to the way each client moved, adjusting their form so they could feel the impact in the right muscle groups. Meanwhile, other trainers, though equally certified, seemed to overlook critical details—risking injury to their clients.
Experience, not just education, was what set me apart. Soon, my clients started calling me the “form nazi” because of my meticulous attention to their form.
This journey of learning on the ground rather than in a classroom gave me the confidence to move beyond imposter syndrome. Yes, education has its place, esp if you're going to be an astronaut or surgeon, but even in those cases I would rather have a surgeon who is intuitive as well.
Along with good foundational education and specializations in various parts of our fields, intuition can only enhance our abilities and add a level of insight that can truly set us apart from the competition.
A few months after publicly announcing on Facebook that I’ve been a medium and intuitive healer for over 20 years, I experienced another powerful validation. I went to a new hair salon for a color treatment because my regular stylist wasn’t available. As the woman draped the cape over me, I felt a strong, undeniable urge—a message trying to come through for her.
Her mother was being brought to her to apologize.
No certification could have prepared me for this moment. I wasn’t even sure if her mother had passed. I debated internally, "What if I’m wrong?"
But the feeling was strong, and as she continued chatting with me, I knew I had to speak up. I gently asked her if her mother had passed.
Without revealing too much of this impromptu reading, I’ll share that she had a complicated, traumatic relationship with her mother, who had recently passed away. The message from her mother—a heartfelt apology—was guiding her to release the anger she had been carrying. That resentment was not only changing her, but it was holding her back from living the life she truly wanted. Her tears in that moment were the greatest testament that I didn’t need formal qualifications to do this work. What I needed was to trust my intuition, keep my mind clear, and continue being open to these messages.
Afterward, she confided in me that she had once been a home health aide, a job she loved, but over time, her bitterness had consumed her, leading her to leave that work behind and take a job at the salon.
Moments like these remind me of the innate abilities we often overlook in favor of credentials and degrees. We live in an energetic, interconnected universe, and our ability to tap into that energy and connect is something no formal education can teach.
So today I am publicly releasing my fear of being judged for not having a degree or certification in a physical university and embracing the universal certification bestowed upon me by my guides in the spiritual world.
I share this because I know I'm not alone in holding back because of some belief that makes me want to play small and hide parts of me. I have been a lifelong student of mindset and intuition and had thousands of experiences that taught me so much more than a 3 or 4-year program could ever teach me. I hope this inspires you to trust your unique experiences and instincts and let go of any inhibitions.
I was recently at a Big Magic Retreat where I got the opportunity to ask the one and only Liz Gilbert this question about my fear of showing up without any credentials so to speak. She responded that if you are an elevator supervisor, I would hope you are relying on more than just your intuition and she joked that if anyone asked me that question, I should just respond with an LOL.
She also went on to tell me she didn't have a degree in creative writing, which I was shocked to hear. So, my friends, if Liz Gilbert can teach creative writing without having a degree in creative writing, I think I can give myself permission to show up and talk about intuition.
Here's what I feel intuitively about this: while anyone can acquire knowledge and gain experience, the knowledge alone doesn't make us an expert. When we use the acquired knowledge and internalize it completely to the point where we can add intuition on top, that's when we can really impact change.
Whether you’re a professional, artist, entrepreneur, educator, or skilled tradesperson, take a moment to reflect on what truly makes you excel in your role. Is it your knowledge? Or is it the hands-on experience, and if you go deeper and trust your instincts, you might find some intangible qualities that simply can’t be taught in a classroom? Maybe it is a combination.
Whatever it is, I hope you don't let the world see the amazing intuitive talent you hide from the world for fear of being questioned about your credentials. If you feel brave enough, please leave a comment with your intuitively guided superpower.
Blogger bio:
Chitra is the author of “The Warrior Mindset: 7 Mindset Shifts to Unleash Your Inner Warrior”, a keynote speaker, and an intuitive coach.
She empowers professionals and organizations to tame their evil inner witch and unleash their inner warrior. Chitra helps leaders tap into their intuition, and lead with intention, and alignment. She is also a medium and intuitive healer and founder of the P.F.H. (Peel, Feel, Heal) framework which helps her clients eradicate unnecessary stress, get in touch with their innate wisdom, and attract the people and experiences they desire. Learn more about her work here.
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