How can you be sure what your gut sensation is really saying? Is it your intuition, your Highest Self speaking to you? Is the wise part of you telling you this is the wrong choice for you? A solid “knowing” that another option is better?
Or is that feeling just resistance to something that could be great for you? Is it just a reactive “no-ing” where the fearful part of you is resisting, purely out of discomfort of some kind?
Ultimately, you’re the only one who can answer this question for yourself. Others can offer their opinions and their guidelines. Don’t get me wrong – those can be helpful. But in the end, your inner voices speak to you in a unique way. The accurate interpretation of what they’re saying is totally in your hands.
How Can You Tell?
You build this skill the same way you build others – by doing it, learning from your experience, and coming to trust yourself. Here’s how you can get started so you can be confident in reading your own inner messages.
Observe Yourself
Start by watching what happens for you. Is your first instinct usually your best one? For some people this is absolutely true. But for me, it’s not. My resistance can kick in so automatically sometimes that it’s my very first knee-jerk response. The way I’ve come to know this is by watching myself – by observing.
Your physical sensation can be a clear indicator, too. One friend gets a powerful feeling in her gut when something’s intuitively not right for her – it’s her signal for a “know.” But my belly remains calm in that case. When I get a feeling in my belly, it’s the “no” – when I’m resisting purely out of fear.
Start noticing your own signs of clear instinct and highest self messages. Do you feel a sense of calm and certainty in your sense that something isn’t a good match for you?
Also watch what happens for you when you’re just resisting something you know could be great for you. What words show up in your head? How do you feel it in your body? What other behaviors go on for you? (I lose focus and start distracting myself with busy work.)
Take Note
Write your observations down. I know – sounds like too much trouble. But here’s the thing: When you’re making important choices and decisions, your emotional energy is high.
This can make it hard to remember what really happened last time. If any kind of fear comes up, it can distort what you remember about how your intuition best serves you.
So keep a place in your journal, or a folder on your computer desktop. Just jot down what you see happening.
Act On It
Now take action on what you “know” – those messages from your highest self. Your instincts and intuition are solid and trustworthy. That’s true for absolute everybody — not just a select few. Learning to trust your instincts just takes practice. You build trust in your intuition by paying attention, acting on the information you get, and watching your results.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Janet, thanks for the clear suggestions of how we can get to “know” and “no” ourselves. And it’s interesting that your body’s gut reaction is often that first fear response.
I too have found that. I often use a process where I get into a quiet state. Tune into my body in “neutral.”
Then I suggest a future idea I’d like to be in my life. Next I notice my physical reaction. It’s often that fear “no” you described. I call that a physical “objection.” It’s often a belly tightening, restricted breathing, pressure in my chest or a throat constriction.
Then I ask the fearful place what’s up. When I’m super fearful, the answer comes from a scared little girl place. Whatever I get, I tap on that words I hear.
I continue the process until I can suggest my positive future with no physical objection at all.
I appreciate your work!
Natalie Hill, Tucson (for a while)
Thanks, Natalie, for offering this great process for clearing that initial resistance. And isn’t it fascinating how physical reactions show up in different spots, depending on the fear. I love your technique of asking that place what’s up. That can be such a help for getting real clarity. Thanks a lot for sharing all of this. I appreciate you, too!
Nice article! You clearly separated what is often confusing — distinguishing what is intuitively “No, this is not for me” versus the programmed “No, I don’t want anything new.” Well done on the newsletter and your site.
Yes – sorting it out can be tricky sometimes. Thanks for commenting, Tina.