Losing My Religion

What does it take for someone to change their religion? I am going through a spiritual hiccup right now. I am missing that spiritual guide in my life. i wish I could have a spirit guide manifested in an actual animal, like I would want my spirit guide to be a shark or bear. I am curious to understand what a person goes through to force them to abandon their faith and switch beliefs system. I am not going to address marriage that path is easy to understand. I am not going to address sexual abuse. But, recently, a friend has been trying to get me to look at their religion.

I am a Catholic with varying level of participation I am on the down swing right now. I am not against the Catholic faith but i do find a a lot of insight in others faith that often is very uplifting. I know my mom would die if I ever changed my faith. I'm not ready.