How to Trust the Universe: What It Really Means and How to Start

When people hear the phrase “trust the universe,” it’s usually followed by an eyeroll, a healthy dose of skepticism, and a string of questions like “what does that even mean?” Maybe you’ve gotten on board with learning how to write manifestations, and you started repeating your daily affirmations for motivation. But “trusting the universe?” That’s where you draw the line. 

Until you realize it’s not the passive, unrealistic practice of “letting go” and “believing everything just works out” like people make it seem. In fact, Gabby Bernstein, host of Dear Gabby, discussed this in “A Masterclass on Trusting the Universe (Even in an Uncertain World).” The goal isn’t to sit back and wait for everything to just magically work out for you. (THAT’S unrealistic.) Instead, it’s about focusing on what you can control, learning to navigate uncertainty, and believing in your own capabilities.

And now we’ve probably piqued your interest, right? Good—you’re exactly where you should be. Below, we’re telling you exactly how to trust the universe and what it ACTUALLY means to do so. And, of course, we’re letting Gabby Bernstein’s spiritual truths and signature techniques lead the way. Trust us, it’s a lifestyle hack that truly lives up to the hype. 

How to Trust the Universe: What It Really Means and How to Start

Most of us need certainty. It’s the reason we create routines, stick to schedules, and spend SO much of our time looking for answers. But… What if we told you it’s also the reason you have so much anxiety? (We’ll save you the soapbox, just listen to “There’s No Prize for Suffering / with Alicia McCarvell” from Don’t Think.)

Trusting the universe doesn’t mean giving up total control of your life. Even in Gabby’s episode, “20 Years of Manifesting. Here’s What I Actually Believe,” throwing your hands up and waiting for things to work out is never part of the deal. Instead, it really comes down to taking aligned action while trusting that not everything is yours to manage.

Focus on what you can control, release attachment to what you can’t, learn to view challenges as opportunities, and understand how to navigate uncertainty with resilience. Sound familiar? These are the SAME things we discussed in “How to Develop a Healthy Mindset That Sticks,” and the same techniques you learned in episodes like ‘MEL ROBBINS. Enough Said.” from Good Guys. 

Turns out, you’ve been trusting the universe all along—you just didn’t realize you were doing it.

What Does It Mean to Trust the Universe?

Trusting the universe means believing that life can still move in a positive direction even when every detail isn’t visible. It’s less about believing in an external force and more about trusting your ability to navigate whatever life brings. In other words, what’s meant to be, will be. It’s THAT simple. (Listen to this concept in depth in “7 Spiritual Secrets to Let Go & Attract Your Dreams!”)

Not every challenge is a sign that something has gone wrong. Not every setback is proof that you’ve failed. And not every bump in the road means you took the wrong path. Actually, if you want the truth? The sooner you realize that unexpected events lead to opportunities you never could have (or would have!) planned for yourself, the quicker you’ll learn to trust in the universe—and in its divine timing. 

Interested in learning more about how bold moves can lead to big wins? T une into “How to Beat the Odds: Amy DuBois Barnett on Starting Over, Betting on Yourself, and Winning” from She’s So Lucky. 

How Trusting Yourself Helps You Trust the Universe

Listening to Intuition

One of the biggest misconceptions about trusting the universe is that it’s entirely about faith in something outside of yourself. When, in fact, trusting the universe honestly begins with trusting yourself. Gabby talks about this concept thoroughly in “How to Develop Your Psychic Abilities with John Holland.”

No, Gabby isn’t saying you need to be a psychic to be in tune with yourself. (We’ll leave that up to Hollywood medium, Tyler Henry, for now.) Ultimately, though, the more confidence you have in your ability to make decisions, adapt to challenges, and navigate uncertainty, the easier it becomes to know that things will work out. Because, honestly, they always do.

If it’s of any consolation, you’re definitely not the only one struggling with letting go and trusting the universe. Just listen to Khloé Kardashian discuss this in her “Ask Me Anything” episode from Khloé in Wonder Land. 

Honoring Personal Values

Trust can feel impossible when you’re always second-guessing yourself or making decisions that don’t align with what truly matters. That’s why personal values are SO important. Cue: “What Do You Really Value?” from What We Said. When your actions reflect your priorities, beliefs, and goals, you create a stronger sense of self-trust. 

By doing this, you no longer have to rely on external validation. You also won’t find yourself searching for signs that you’re making the “right choice.” Instead, you can move with greater confidence, knowing your decisions are grounded in authenticity.

Of course, Gabby covered this. Just listen to “Is It My Thoughts or My Spirit Guides? Here’s How to Know the Difference.”

Following Through on Commitments to Yourself

Self-trust is built through action. Every time you make a promise to yourself—whether it’s pursuing a goal, maintaining a healthy habit, or honoring a boundary—you reinforce the belief that you can rely on yourself. And over time? Those small acts create confidence and resilience.

Gabby breaks this down perfectly in her episode on the law of attraction versus the law of assumption. Ultimately, you have to commit to trusting in yourself—and in the universe! When you know you can handle challenges as they arise, it becomes much easier to let go of the need to control every outcome.

Letting Go of Perfectionism

When most people admit that they can’t trust the universe, it’s because they can’t let go of the idea that everything has to be perfect. But here’s the thing: life isn’t a pass-or-fail test. And actually, Gabby even discusses how chasing perfection can lead you to white-knuckling your way through life. 

Instead of keeping this black-or-white mindset, treat every situation as an opportunity to learn, grow, and adapt. (And that goes for both good and bad outcomes!) Trusting the universe doesn’t mean always getting it perfectly right. It means knowing you can adjust and keep moving forward regardless. 

The Samis, hosts of Transform, offer a really influential perspective on this in “You Don’t Need to be Perfect to be Powerful.”

Learning From Past Experiences

Think about all of the challenges you’ve already overcome. We’re willing to bet that there have been a handful of times when things didn’t go according to plan, yet you still found your way forward. (Why? Because you, and the universe, are powerful!) 

In “How to Have a Quantum Shift in 2026—Uplevel Now!”, Gabby talks about how we ALL struggle to let go of heartache, trauma, and fear. But the secret isn’t forcing yourself through situations. Instead, it’s about allowing the experience to serve as a reminder that you’re more capable and resilient than you may realize.

How to Let Go and Trust the Universe

Focus on what you can control (and what you cannot!).

The more tightly you try to control every outcome? The more frustrated, burnt out, and left like you’re left swimming against the current, you’ll feel. Especially when things don’t go according to plan.

Instead, focus on what you CAN control: the effort you put in, the choices you make, and the way you respond to challenges. The outcome isn’t always up to you—and that’s okay! Trusting the universe means learning to take meaningful action while letting go of the need to dictate how everything unfolds.

There are a ton of actionable tips in “You’ll See It When You Believe It (Why Proof Is Blocking Your Manifestation).”

Stop attaching your happiness to one specific outcome.

If you’re ALWAYS waiting for your desired outcome in every situation, you’re gonna be left disappointed. And that’s not because you won’t get (or don’t deserve to get) what you want. Instead, it’s a reminder that the universe will do what it does best: redirect you toward what’s meant for you. 

This is literally what Gabby talks about in “Stop Blocking What’s Meant for You (Something Great Is on the Way).” She says that the universe only ever has three answers: yes, not right now, or something better is on the way. The more you try to force something, the more you block the opportunities waiting for you to welcome them.

Take action without obsessing over the results.

When you obsess over the “how,” “what,” “when,” “where,” and “why” questions, you’re distracting yourself—and doubting the universe. New age trailblazers like Deepak Chopra refer to this as “The Law of Detachment.” (Learn ALL about this in Deepak Chopra’s podcast episode on The Bossticks!) In other words, you have to detach yourself from the outcome and trust the process.

Easier said than done, we know. But the reality is that obsessing over results rarely, if ever, changes them. Instead, it just creates a constant loop of anxiety, second-guessing, and unnecessary pressure. Release the need to control things and track whether things are “working out,” and just… let them. (Huge reference to Mel Robbins’ powerful “Let Them” theory, too!)

Trust your intuition when making decisions.

Intuition, gut feeling, sixth sense—these are all just ways of saying that you know a lot more than you realize. When it comes to trusting the universe, your intuition essentially acts as your inner compass. (Listen to Gabby discuss the difference between the whisper of intuition and the urgent noise of ego HERE!)

The challenge, though, is that intuition rarely arrives with a detailed roadmap. It doesn’t always explain itself or provide guarantees, telling you exactly how everything will unfold. Instead, it shows up as a quiet nudge or a sense of alignment. And while it may not reveal every step ahead, it can help you take the next one with confidence. 

Craving more advice? Check out our guide, “Can’t Tell If It’s Intuition or Anxiety? There’s a 5-Second Rule for That.”

Accept uncertainty as a normal part of growth. 

On one hand, our anxiety is trying to predict, manipulate, and control scenarios. On the other hand, the universe is begging us to just let go and trust that it’s bringing us the highest good. Take it from Gabby: let the universe do the work. 

You can never be totally certain of something. Things, people, environments, feelings, outcomes, relationships, situations—they all change. And by trying to control this, you’re just exhausting yourself. When you learn to accept that the universe truly does have your best interest, you free yourself from that mental burden. From there, you can focus on your willingness to evolve—not stay stuck in your ways. 

“Things I Left Behind to Gain Peace (Maybe Controversial)” from Note to Self covers this perfectly. Host Payton Sartain even says, “Trying to master it all is a trap; accepting uncertainty is what lets you breathe.”

View setbacks as redirection rather than failure.

Sometimes things just… don’t work out. And there’s no rhyme or reason for it; it just wasn’t meant to be. But this doesn’t mean you’re powerless—as much as it may feel that way at first. Instead, it means the universe had something else in store. And, of course, it’s generally better than what you thought you wanted in the first place. 

This is the exact concept Gabby covers in her episode, “Manifest Your Dream Job in 5 Simple Steps.” She discusses how viewing rejection as the universe’s projection can actually make setbacks your greatest advantage. It’s not the universe punishing you; it’s encouraging you to align your journey with all of the better things yet to come.

Not convinced just yet? Let our guide, “Les Alfred Says ‘Being Realistic’ Is Secretly Sabotaging You,” lead the way. 

Practice gratitude for what’s working in your life right now.

If you’ve read our guide on an abundance vs. scarcity mindset, you know exactly where we’re going with this. When you’re constantly thinking about what you could have, you don’t leave any time to appreciate what you have now. More specifically, by practicing gratitude, you essentially train your brain into recognizing what’s already working out for you. (AKA, an attitude of abundance!)

If we’re getting really deep here, gratitude is what signals readiness to the universe. You’re essentially saying, “I’m patient, I’m grateful, and I’m ready for everything headed my way.” Plus, when you focus on how lucky you are for where you’re at, you become less married to specific outcomes. 

Need a little help in this field? Just tune into “Mindset Hacks for Manifesting Abundance.”

Reflect on past situations that worked out differently. 

Think about a time when things didn’t go according to plan. Maybe a relationship ended, a job opportunity fell through, or a major life goal took an unexpected turn. At the time, it was probably devastating. But pay attention to how it feels NOW. 

When you look back, chances are, you can see how those experiences led you to exactly where you’re meant to be. And in most cases, the moments we resist most end up teaching us lessons, introducing us to people, and opening doors that shape our lives in ways we could never have predicted. 

“Rage, Forgiveness, and Freedom From the Past” is a super powerful reminder for moments just like this one.

What Trusting the Universe Looks Like in Real Life

So, now you know how to trust the universe. But… How do you know if you’re doing it right? Here’s exactly what trusting the universe looks like in everyday, real life:

• Trusting the process after a career change
• Letting go after a relationship ends
• Navigating financial uncertainty
• Starting a business without knowing every outcome
• Pursuing a goal despite fear or doubt
• Feeling emotions without judgment
• Moving to a new city without knowing what comes next
• Saying yes to an opportunity that feels exciting and terrifying
• Trusting your timeline when it looks different from everyone else’s
• Setting boundaries, even when they’re uncomfortable
• Giving yourself permission to change your mind

Contrary to what social media tends to say, trusting the universe doesn’t mean everything will always be perfect. Instead, it’s about moving forward even when you don’t have all of the answers. It’s choosing trust over control, taking aligned action, and remaining open to unlimited possibilities.

Trusting the universe isn’t an excuse to wait around for things to happen; it’s an opportunity to embrace uncertainty!

Whenever you hear the phrase “let go and trust the universe,” it’s understandable to be a little skeptical. But now that you know what this process entails, you can see why it’s such a powerful—and popular—approach to navigating the unknown. Trust yourself, let go of what you can’t control, take action, and take a leap of faith! You never know what the universe has in store.

Why stop here when you can head to Dear Media and find tons of other opportunities to level up your life? Thanks to our remarkable Dear Media podcast hosts, we have no shortage of advice. Think: health and wellness, friendship breakups, relationship difficulties, and personal development. Whatever you’re going through, we’re here to help you get to the other side. 

Want to experience these convos live and in person? Lucky for you, that’s why Dear Media IRL exists! We bring our world offline to a city near you, where you can be surrounded by all of your favorite podcast hosts doing what they do best: sharing stories, sparking meaningful conversations, and inspiring you to live your best life.