How I Use ChatGPT in a Soulful Way (Without Losing My Human Heart)
I remember the exact moment I realized I had been using AI all wrong.
I was sitting in my favorite corner of the house, laptop open, trying to write an email to a client who was struggling with her website copy. She kept saying it didn't "sound like her," and I wanted to respond with something genuinely helpful. So I asked ChatGPT to draft a response.
The result? Perfectly professional. Completely soulless. It sounded like every other business coach on the internet.
I stared at that response and thought, "This is exactly what my client is afraid of becoming."
That's when it hit me. The problem wasn't that AI would steal my voice, it was that I hadn't taught it to understand my heart first.
You know that feeling when someone gives you advice that's technically correct but completely misses what you actually need to hear? That's what happens when we use AI as a shortcut instead of a conversation partner.
Why Most People Feel Disconnected from AI
Here's what I've learned after months of gentle experimentation: AI doesn't make you sound robotic. Using AI without intention makes you sound robotic.
I used to think there were two choices: write everything myself or let AI write everything for me. But there's actually a third option that changed everything.
I started treating ChatGPT like a really smart friend who genuinely wants to help but needs context to give good advice.
The difference is huge.
Instead of: "Write a blog post about website conversion"
I now say: "I'm working with a client who has a beautiful website that isn't converting. She's a heart-centered coach who's afraid her site feels too corporate. She wants to connect with women who feel overwhelmed by business, but she's worried about being too vulnerable. Can you help me think through how to approach this?"
See how different that feels? I'm not asking AI to replace my thinking. I'm asking it to think with me.
The Conversation That Changed My Whole Approach
A few weeks ago, a client said something that stopped me in my tracks. She was reviewing some copy I'd helped her create and said, "This sounds like me, but like the best version of me. Like me on a day when I'm feeling really clear and confident."
That's when I realized what soulful AI partnership actually looks like. It's not about making AI sound like you. It's about using AI to help you sound like the clearest, most helpful version of yourself.
I think about it like having a conversation with someone who listens really well and asks good questions. They don't give you their words, they help you find yours.
My Simple Process for Staying Human with AI
I wish I could say I have some complex system, but honestly? It's pretty simple.
First, I share the feeling I want to create.
Not just the information I want to convey, but how I want someone to feel when they read it. Supported? Understood? Less alone? More hopeful?
Then, I tell my own story first.
I share what I've learned, what I've struggled with, what my clients have taught me. AI can help me organize these thoughts, but it can't create the insights that come from actually doing the work.
Finally, I ask AI to help me say it better, not say it for me.
I might ask: "How can I explain this more clearly?" or "What am I missing that would be helpful?" But I'm always the one deciding what feels true and authentic.
The result? Content that feels like me, but more organized and thoughtful than I might have managed on a busy Tuesday morning.
When I Know I've Gone Too Far
Sometimes I catch myself slipping back into old patterns. Here's how I know:
If I read something and think "Well, that's probably fine" instead of "Yes, this is exactly what I wanted to say", that's my signal to step back.
If I find myself asking AI to write about something I haven't experienced or don't fully understand myself, time to pause.
If the content creation process starts feeling mechanical instead of creative, I take a break and remember why I wanted to share this message in the first place.
What This Actually Looks Like in Practice
Let me be completely honest about my process, because I think the behind-the-scenes reality is more helpful than any framework.
When I'm writing something important, I usually start by talking it through with ChatGPT like I would with a friend. I explain what's going on, what I'm thinking about, what I'm hoping to accomplish. (I actually wrote about this approach in my post "Why I Named My AI (And Why You Should Too)" because treating AI like a real thinking partner changes everything about how you interact with it.)
Then I ask for help organizing my thoughts or finding clearer ways to express what I'm already feeling. Sometimes I ask for feedback: "Does this make sense? What questions might someone have?"
But here's the key part: I'm always the final editor. Every single sentence gets the "Does this sound like something I would actually say?" test.
And honestly? Sometimes I throw out AI suggestions entirely and write something completely from scratch because my heart has something different to say.
Why This Matters More Than Efficiency
I know it would be faster to just copy and paste AI responses. But here's what I've realized: our people can tell the difference.
Not because they're analyzing our writing style, but because they can feel whether someone genuinely understands their struggle or is just saying the right words.
When I take the time to infuse my own experience and heart into everything I share, my clients tell me they feel seen. They say things like "It's like you were reading my mind" or "I felt so much less alone after reading this."
That connection? It's worth every extra minute it takes to make sure my humanity comes through.
Final Thoughts
If You're Feeling Overwhelmed by All This
Listen, if using AI feels complicated or inauthentic right now, that's completely okay. There's absolutely nothing wrong with writing everything yourself, especially while you're still figuring out your own voice.
But if you're curious about exploring this partnership, start small. Ask AI to help you brainstorm or organize thoughts you already have. Use it like a really patient friend who doesn't mind helping you think through things out loud.
And remember: you're always in charge. If something doesn't feel right, change it. If an AI suggestion doesn't match your values, ignore it. Trust your instincts about what feels authentic to you.
Your voice matters exactly as it is. AI is just one tool that might help you share it more consistently and clearly. But it's not the only tool, and it's definitely not required.
We're all figuring this out as we go, one gentle step at a time.
After working through this process with clients, I gathered the most helpful prompts I've discovered into a simple guide. If you've been curious about ChatGPT but unsure where to start, you might find my collection of 50 soulful prompts helpful. They're designed to help you create content that sounds like you, not a robot. You can find the ChatGPT Prompt Collection in my shop if it feels like something that would support your journey.
If you're ready to explore how AI might support your authentic voice without overwhelming your creative process, I'd love to chat about what feels right for your business.
