While it might be possible to advance in virtue without any help from other people, it is certainly not the easy way.
The saints are perfect examples, as nearly all of them had the help of a trusted spiritual director or confessor.
Need of a guide
St. Francis de Sales writes about this aspect of the spiritual life in his Introduction to the Devout Life:
When Tobias was bidden to go to Rages, he was willing to obey his father, but he objected that he knew not the way;—to which Tobit answered, “Seek thee a man which may go with thee:” and even so, daughter, I say to you, If you would really tread the paths of the devout life, seek some holy man to guide and conduct you.
A spiritual guide could be a holy priest or religious sister, but could also be a trusted lay person, man or woman.
St. Francis de Sales then gives the example of St. Teresa of Avila, and how a spiritual director can be a channel of God's grace:
This is the precept of precepts, says the devout Avila,—seek as you will, you can never so surely discover God’s Will as through the channel of humble obedience so universally taught and practiced by all the Saints of olden time.
He then explains how St. Teresa had to temper her idea of holiness through the wise advice of her confessor:
When the blessed Teresa read of the great penances performed by Catherine of Cordova, she desired exceedingly to imitate them, contrary to the mind of her Confessor, who forbade her to do the like, and she was tempted to disobey him therein.
Sometimes we may think we are progressing in virtue, but in fact, we are becoming obsessed with our own ideas and are not following the voice of God.
A trusted spiritual director can help provide an outside perspective that helps us discern where God is truly leading us.
