How to Ask for a Sign from the Universe (And Receive Guidance)

Have you ever wished that someone would just tell you wtf to do? Whether you feel lost in life or are having trouble making a specific decision, we can all use some guidance now and again. And if you’re looking for guidance, this post is for you! I’m sharing How to Ask for a Sign from the Universe (and receive guidance).

Text graphic says: How to Ask for a Sign from the Universe for guidance, decisions, and more

Guiding My Life with Signs from the Universe

As an overthinker who can often struggle making decisions, asking for signs and guidance from the Universe has helped me with making some of my biggest life changes. I’m talking everything from picking the perfect vacation destination to taking a leap of faith to move cross country to making peace with my divorce.

And learning how to ask for and receive signs from the Universe has helped me greatly in life. I first learned about this concept from Gabby Bernstein when I was in a difficult place in life. It has been a wonderful practice, and I’m excited to see how it helps you too!

Why Ask for Guidance

Sometimes you really just don’t know what to do. With a decision. Or with life overall.

This can be due to many things, like unfamiliarity with the topic. But also…

Why #1: Overwhelm (Leading to Indecision and / or Lack of Clarity)

What I see most often causing a deep desire for guidance is pure overwhelm. Usually from high levels of sustained stress, burnout, divorce, big moves, career changes, or a combination of all.

*ugh*

It’s hard to make good decisions and be in touch with your intuition when you’re in overwhelm since you’re basically jut trying to survive the day.

When your head is spinning, it’s hard to think clearly. Not to mention you’re often churning through thousands of thoughts and decisions all day. This leaves very little space for clarity, intuition, or creative solutioning.

A little guidance could help a lot.

Speaking of intuition…

Why #2: Disconnection from Our Intuition

One of my favorite ways to get guidance these days is via my intuition. Unfortunately, stress, burnout, trauma, and more can cause us to get disconnected from our intuition.

“Trust your gut”, they say.

But what if you don’t feel anything from your gut?

It’s happened to me before.

Reconnecting to your intuition is important. Sometimes asking for signs from the Universe can actually help with this because it makes you more open and receptive to receiving guidance in general.

Why #3: Lack of Support (Or Misaligned Support)

Additionally, some of us have healthy support systems and some of us don’t. Healthy support systems give good advice. Unhealthy support systems…not so much. (If you’re even still talking to them.)

But even the healthy support systems can be limited in their ability to provide the *right* kind of guidance for you and your specific situation.

My dad is one of the smartest people I know, but he’s never been an entrepreneur, so he’s less likely to be able to provide solid entrepreneurship advice versus other kinds of advice that are in his wheelhouse.

So wouldn’t it be nice if we could get some guidance from our Higher Power who always knows what’s best for us.

Good news! You can! Here’s how…

Text graphic says: Steps to Ask for a Sign from the Universe for guidance, direction, and more

How to Ask for a Sign from the Universe

Here’s how to ask for a sign from the Universe.

Step 1: Get clear on your ask

What exactly are you looking for a sign about?

It’s okay if it’s broad, but just saying, “Hey Universe, give me a sign” isn’t going to be as effective if you don’t specify what you want that sign to be about.

Do you:

Want an answer to a specific question? (Should I take this job offer, should I get divorced, etc.)
Want an answer to a broad question? (What career path would be best for me, what is my life purpose, etc.)

Get clear what you want a sign about. Once you have that, you actually have to place a request with the Universe for support.

Step 2: Ask for a Sign

To receive a sign from the Universe, it’s really as simple as asking for one.

I literally ask the Universe for a sign in my head or even out loud.

You can:

Note: I’ve included some examples for some ways you can ask for guidance:

Ask for a sign that you’re on the right path: “I’ve been working on this content strategy for my business, but I’m not sure if it’s working. Can you please give me a sign that I’m on the right path?”
Request a sign that you should stay or go: “I’ve been in this position at work for 6 months, but I’m not confident it’s going to take me where I want in my career. Please send me a sign if I should stay.”
Ask for a sign for yes or no: “I’m dating this guy, but I don’t know if he’s the one. I don’t want to waste any time. Please send me a sign if I should leave him fast.”
Plead with the Universe to tell you your ideal path forward: “I have no idea what I want to do in my career. Can you please give me some guidance and show me the best job for me?”

You can ask for guidance on literally anything, from specific questions to requesting broad direction.

Tip: This is a good place to ask for the Universe to show you a specific sign with the Universe – more on this in a bit.

Step 3: Be Open to the Signs

From my experience, the signs don’t always look like what you think they will.

When I first started asking for signs from the Universe, I’d often hope to literally see a sign with the exact answer I wanted on it.

(Like I literally wanted a man standing on the street with a random quote that held my answer – not that this is impossible btw)

But more often, the signs looked like little nudges that were sometimes indirect. Though they were certainly quite obvious at times too.

Some of my signs looked like:

I’m thinking about traveling somewhere and someone else randomly mentions it or I see it in multiple random places – elevator TV ad, random social media video, in a book at my yoga studio that I have ignored until randomly deciding to flip through it that day.
Asking for a specific sign to confirm making a decision, and then seeing that sign in the form of a necklace someone was wearing in a YouTube video that I accidentally clicked on when I was actually trying to click on a different video!

The important thing here is to be *open* to signs. If you’re super skeptical or non-believing, not only may the Universe choose to not send any, but you may simply be too close-minded to see them.

Tip: If you feel like you’re getting signs or you’re worried you might be missing them, check out the tips section below for more.

Step 4: Be Grateful for the Signs

Showing appreciation for the signs you’re receiving is a surefire way to tell the Universe that you love receiving the signs and tells the Universe to send more.

(If instead you continue to ignore the signs or wish them away, that’s a good way to block the signs and cut yourself off from Universal guidance.)

So as you start to receive the signs and guidance, remember to thank the Universe for them.

“When you are grateful, fear disappears and abundance appears.”
~ Tony Robbins

Gratitude is a wonderful habit that has a side effect of attracting abundance.

Every time I get a sign, I literally say, “Thank you Universe for providing this sign.” Sometimes I get casual with it and say stuff like, “Aww, Universe, you really DO have my back!”

It doesn’t matter what you say. Just that you show your appreciation to 1) honor the gift of guidance from the Universe and 2) keep the flow of signs going strong!

Tips on Asking the Universe for a Sign

Here are some tips to help you ask for a sign from the Universe.

Tip #1: Asking for a Specific Sign from the Universe

One popular way of asking for a sign is asking for a specific sign from the Universe.

You can ask the Universe to show you *your* sign with the Universe or choose something specific you’d like to see.

For example, a friend of mine was telling me about how she was in a relationship that she was feeling increasingly unsure about. So she asked the Universe to show her (something like) a turquoise bear if she was meant to break up with him.

And that very day, she saw a turquoise bear! Not a literal bear, mind you. It showed up in the form of a bumper sticker about the mountains. The sticker had mountain tops and a bear and the whole thing was turquoise. Whoa!

Asking for a *specific* sign is a great way to make sure you get clear direction, which can be helpful when the signs are sometimes ambiguous.

On this note…

Tip #2: Asking for More Obvious Signs

If you’re feel like you’re getting signs (or you’re worried you’re missing them), but you’re not sure if they’re coincidences versus actual signs, you can ask the Universe for more obvious signs.

In the months leading up to my divorce, I was feeling very confused about my marriage. Wanting guidance from the Universe is one of the reasons I started getting into meditation, connecting with Source energy, and the practice of asking for signs.

As I connected more deeply, I felt like I was getting signs. But what if I misinterpreted them? What if they weren’t signs at all, and I made the wrong, life-altering decision?

So I literally said, “Universe, I think I’m getting signs from you, but I’m not sure. Can you please send me more signs and make them SUPER obvious?”

And the Universe delivered.

Tip #3: Getting Better at Receiving Signs

There are things you can do to get better at receiving signs. Many people are actually closed off to receiving signs, so this can be an important step.

Simply having the intention and making the ask for signs opens you up to receive signs nicely.

Leaning into your feminine energy (and this works for all genders btw) helps you get into receptive energy to (of course) receive signs.

Connecting with Source energy will help you get better at receiving signs. Sometimes we get too caught up in the everyday BS of life, and we’re so flustered, we’re completely closed off from receiving signs at all.

This is when connecting with Source is even more important.

Sometimes you really do need to chill tf out and do less to make space for the signs to even have somewhere to go. You need down time. Quiet. You have to stop filling every minute of your life with work, Netflix, phone calls, etc. Literally make space to do nothing.

Additionally, as I mentioned above (in the How-To Steps), being grateful for the signs is super important too!

Journal Prompts to Help You Ask for a Sign from the Universe

Here are some journal prompts to help you ask for a sign from the Universe:

What is the question or area of your life where you want guidance from the Universe?
Write out your ask using the tips in my blog post above. You can ask a specific question or ask for broad guidance. Include requesting a specific sign, if you’d like.
Make a list of ways you can be more open to receiving signs (meditate, create more quiet time in your life, etc.). And then add some of these into your schedule so they actually happen.
Make a list of signs you think you’re receiving and what they mean to you. Add a note of gratitude to the Universe for each one.
Consider doing a deeper dive journal session on the signs you’re receiving and how you’re processing them. What are your a-ha moments or takeaways? Sometimes signs show up over a period of time, so it can be great to have these journal pages to look back on to help you identify patterns or other helpful information.

Are you new to journaling? Get my intro to journaling for beginners blog post here.