When the Paranormal Becomes Personal – Stage 5: Reluctant Consideration – “I Wouldn’t Call It Paranormal, But…”

Part 5 of a 9-Part Series of The Human Journey From Dismissal to Acknowledgement

Most people do not expect to encounter anything they would describe as paranormal. Unexplained experiences are assumed to belong to stories, television programmes, or the lives of other people—not to ordinary homes, workplaces, or families. When something unusual first occurs, it is almost always dismissed, rationalised, or quietly ignored.

This blog series explores what happens when that dismissal no longer works.

Written from the perspective of an average, previously sceptical individual, each post examines a distinct stage in the psychological and emotional journey that can unfold when unexplained events persist. Rather than focusing on belief, the series focuses on impact—how confidence gives way to unease, how control is gradually lost, and how everyday life and relationships are affected.

These posts are intended to offer clarity, reassurance, and recognition to those who may see themselves reflected in the stages described, and to underline that uncertainty is not weakness, and seeking help is not an admission of belief, but a practical response to a real problem.

Stage 5: Reluctant Consideration – “I Wouldn’t Call It Paranormal, But…”

At this stage, people begin researching privately and cautiously, often late at night or when they are certain no one else is watching. Internet searches are deliberately framed to avoid explicit belief or commitment.

Phrases such as “strange noises in the house”, “feeling watched at night”, or “unexplained activity” are chosen carefully, as if wording alone might determine the outcome. The individual is not seeking ghosts or hauntings; they are seeking reassurance that there is still a rational explanation they have somehow missed.

As they read, something uncomfortable begins to happen. They encounter descriptions from others that feel uncomfortably familiar. The timing of events, the emotional responses, the gradual escalation—these accounts mirror their own experiences in ways that are difficult to dismiss as coincidence. What disturbs them most is not the content itself, but the recognition. The sense that someone else has described, often in precise detail, what they have been quietly living with.

Despite this, there remains strong resistance to labels. The word 'paranormal' feels heavy and final, suggesting the person is not ready to accept it. They may skim past more explicit explanations, focusing instead on neutral or psychological interpretations, hoping to find an answer that restores certainty without forcing a shift in worldview.

Emotionally, this stage is complex. Fear is present, but it is interwoven with confusion and reluctant curiosity. The individual wants the situation to make sense again, not necessarily to be proven extraordinary. There is often a strong desire for reassurance rather than confirmation—a hope that someone, somewhere, can say, “This happens, and it doesn’t mean what you think it means.”

At the same time, something fundamental has changed. The person no longer believes that conventional explanations are sufficient on their own. Even if they cannot yet accept an alternative, the boundaries of what they consider possible have begun to expand, quietly and against their will.

Help, if Needed.

If you or someone you know repeatedly dismisses strange experiences while quietly feeling unsettled, early guidance can prevent escalation. Confidential help is available from Paranormal Rescue, which operates as a sort of fifth emergency service, addressing incidents that fall outside the remit of police, fire, medical, or breakdown services. When unexplained disturbances disrupt normal life, Paranormal Rescue provides calm, structured, evidence-based support.

Written by Brian Sterling-Vete, PhD and Helen Renée Wuorio, TM, RM.

Founders of the Paranormal Rescue Organisation - www.ParanormalRescue.com

Brian Sterling-Vete is a veteran science-based paranormal researcher, field investigator, and author with decades of experience researching unexplained phenomena.

Helen Renée Wuorio is a Tarot Master, Reiki Master Teacher, and author specialising in intuitive perception, historical symbolism, and experiential consciousness research.

Together, they head Paranormal Rescue, a global organisation offering a unique and discreet emergency assistance service and support for those dealing with complex, malevolent and occasionally dangerous paranormal situations.