Over the past year or so, I have been learning to trust myself more. All my life I have been an over-thinker. I tend to trust my thoughts more than my instinct, and while in some situations that makes perfect sense, and has served me well, in many situations, overthinking leads to anxiety and indecision. It can be challenging to differentiate between our intuition and our overthinking brain. But I believe there are ways to train ourselves to trust our gut while honouring the logical, questioning parts of who we are.
When I talk about intuition, what do I mean? Intuition is a feeling or sense that arises within us, without any logical reasoning or analysis. It’s an inner voice that tells us what to do or what not to do. Think of it as our inner compass, guiding us in the right direction. When we tap into our intuition, we are tapping into our subconscious, where all our experiences, beliefs, and values reside. Therefore, intuition is not something magical or mysterious; it’s a natural part of us that we can develop and improve.
One way I have started to trust my intuition is simply by acknowledging it. Acknowledge the feelings and sensations that arise within. This is not easy for me. I generally prefer to understand the reasoning behind the decisions I make. So, when I feel uneasy or anxious about something, I have started to ask myself why. What is causing this discomfort? Conversely, when I feel excited or inspired about something, I try to explore that feeling further. What is making me feel this way? By acknowledging my intuition, I am giving it space to breathe and develop. I respond with curiosity rather than dismissing and I can usually find a reason behind those feelings.
Another way I am learning to trust my intuition is by paying attention to my body. Our bodies hold a lot of wisdom and information that we often ignore or dismiss. When faced with a decision, I notice how my body responds. Do I feel a tightness in my chest or a knot in my stomach? These physical sensations are signals from intuition, indicating that something is off. On the other hand, do I feel a lightness or warmth in my body? These sensations can indicate that we are on the right path. By paying attention to our body’s signals, we can gain valuable insight into your intuition. Learning to listen to my body is one of the great lessons I have gained from having a yoga and meditation practice. Until recently I was practicing yoga alone, which does allow me to tap into my body and its sensations without distraction. However, I have found that practicing in community gives me a deeper understanding of what is happening for me as another person is guiding that practice. Mindfulness and meditation allow me to quiet the distractions and all the other voices that tell me what I should do. In mindfulness, I am able to be present in the moment, and observe my thoughts and current experience, without judgement.
However, it’s essential to remember that our intuition is not infallible. We all have biases and blind spots that can cloud our judgment, even when we’re following our intuition. Therefore, for me at least, it’s crucial to question and verify our intuition before making a decision. Asking questions and seeking additional information can help us gain a broader perspective and make a more informed decision.
So, how can we balance trusting our intuition and questioning it? One way is to use what’s called the “intuitive-logical approach.” This approach involves first tapping into our intuition and gathering information, then switching to our analytical mind to verify and question that information. For example, let’s say you’re considering taking a new job. Your intuition is telling you that this job feels right, but you’re hesitant because the salary is lower than what you were hoping for. You can use the intuitive-logical approach by first tuning into your intuition and exploring why this job feels right. Then, switch to your analytical mind and ask yourself questions like, “What are the benefits of this job besides salary?” or “Can I negotiate a higher salary or ask for other perks?” By combining your intuition and logical mind, you can make a more informed decision.
Another way to verify your intuition is to seek outside perspectives. Sometimes, we can become so entrenched in our own thoughts and beliefs that we can’t see beyond them. Seeking out the opinions of trusted friends or family members can help us gain a more objective view of the situation. However, it’s essential to remember that their opinions are just that, opinions. Ultimately, it’s up to you to make the final decision. Be aware, however, that sometimes other people will share an opinion that may serve them, and not you. So take the feedback and consider it, but then trust that you know what is best for you.
Trusting our intuition is a skill that we can develop and improve over time. By acknowledging our intuition, paying attention to our body, and using the intuitive-logical approach, we can tap into our inner wisdom and make better decisions. However, it’s also essential to question and verify our intuition by seeking additional information and outside perspectives. By finding a balance between trusting our intuition and verifying it, we can make more informed and confident decisions.
It’s also important to note that trusting our intuition doesn’t mean ignoring logic or rational thinking. Intuition and logic can work hand in hand to help us make better decisions. Intuition can provide us with insights and perspectives that logic alone may not provide, while logic can help us verify and test our intuition. By combining these two approaches, we can make more balanced and effective decisions.
Lastly, remember that trusting your intuition is a process. It takes time, practice, and self-awareness to develop this skill. I am in the midst of some difficult decision making. I think I know what to do. I may not always feel it intuitively. This causes some moments of stress and anxiety within me because I don’t want to make the wrong decision. I tell myself not to be too hard on myself if I make mistakes or doubt my intuition. I remind myself to be patient and continue to explore and acknowledge my intuition. With time, I know I will start to see the benefits of trusting your inner wisdom.
Intuition is a natural part of us that we can develop and improve. Trusting our intuition requires us to acknowledge our feelings and pay attention to our body’s signals. However, it’s also important to question and verify our intuition by seeking additional information and outside perspectives. By finding a balance between trusting our intuition and verifying it, we can make more informed and confident decisions. Remember, trusting your intuition is a process that takes time and practice, so be patient with yourself and trust the journey.
Christine Sharpe: Writer, Speaker, Leader . 
Really good article. I hear ya ” I generally prefer to understand the reasoning behind the decisions I make.” When it comes to a negative intuition, you easly accept it.
I like how you included a positive intuition example of the job being a good fit. Those are the one’s we tend to ignore. With those intuitions (positive ones) we tend to want something logical to back it up. And that’s what made your article so good. The suggestions and ways you can look into the decision process and that way you can make a more informed choice.
Enjoyed your post christine, have a great day
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