When the Paranormal Becomes Personal – Stage 2: Repetition and Unease – “This Is Happening Too Often”

Part 2 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 2: Repetition and Unease – “This Is Happening Too Often”

Dismissal begins to weaken not because of a single dramatic incident, but because the same small disturbances keep recurring. Sounds are heard repeatedly in the same places, often at similar times. A knock, a creak, or a scrape that once felt incidental now carries a sense of familiarity that is difficult to ignore. Objects appear to move in ways that no longer sit comfortably with simple forgetfulness—keys are found in locations they would never normally be placed, doors are discovered ajar when they are always kept closed, or items seem to vanish and later reappear.

Alongside these physical signs, a subtler change develops: a growing sense of being watched or accompanied, particularly when alone. There may be no clear visual or auditory trigger, just an awareness that feels out of place. The individual becomes more alert without understanding why, turning around more often, pausing before entering certain rooms, or hesitating at the top of the stairs.

Sleep is frequently affected during this stage. Falling asleep becomes harder, and waking during the night becomes more common. However, these disturbances are still attributed to tiredness, stress, or daily pressures. The possibility that the environment itself is contributing to the discomfort is quietly dismissed, even as rest becomes less restorative.

Although paranormal explanations are still rejected outright, unease grows steadily. The emotional tone shifts from indifference to mild but persistent anxiety. What is particularly unsettling is not any single event, but the gradual recognition of patterns. The mind begins to connect occurrences that were once considered unrelated, even while actively resisting the conclusions those connections suggest.

Socially, this stage is marked by silence. People avoid discussing what they are experiencing, not because they feel certain something is wrong, but because they fear sounding foolish, dramatic, or irrational. There is an unspoken concern that others will laugh, dismiss the experiences, or suggest stress or imagination as the cause.

In an attempt to regain certainty, individuals begin quietly testing their environment. They double-check locks and windows, adjust daily routines, monitor electrical devices, or make small changes to see if the disturbances stop. These actions are not driven by panic, but by a desire to reassert control and confirm that a rational explanation still exists.

When these efforts fail to resolve the situation, unease deepens—not into fear, but into a lingering sense that something is subtly wrong, even if it cannot yet be named.

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.