The Art of Listening to Yourself: How to Trust Your Intuition
Anna Welch, Advanced Clinical Fellow
In a world filled with external opinions and advice, it’s easy to lose touch with the voice inside you—your intuition. This quiet, inner guidance can provide clarity and wisdom, but it often gets drowned out by the noise of daily life. So, how do you start listening to yourself again?
Reconnect with Your Body
Intuition is often felt in the body before it’s recognized by the mind. It might show up as a gut feeling or a subtle pull toward something that feels “right.” To hear your intuition more clearly, begin by tuning into your body. Grounding practices can be helpful here – my personal favorite is the five senses technique, but something as simple as mindful walking is a great option too. Notice how certain situations or decisions make you feel physically. Your body often holds the key to understanding your inner wisdom.
Create Space for Quiet
In our busy lives, it’s difficult to hear our intuition amidst constant distractions. Finding moments of stillness is essential. If carving out time for quiet feels impossible, start small. Just a few minutes of intentional reflection can help quiet the noise enough for your intuition to be heard.
Trust Yourself, Even When It’s Uncomfortable
Trusting your intuition can be challenging, especially when it leads you in an uncertain direction. It might feel uncomfortable or bump up against the expectations of those around you. But remember, intuition doesn’t always appear in clear, logical ways. Even when it feels unclear or unsettling, practicing trust in your inner voice will help you strengthen that connection over time.
Let Go of Perfectionism
Perfectionism can cause us to second-guess ourselves and suppress our intuition. Intuition isn’t about making flawless decisions; it’s about listening and learning. The more you give yourself permission to make imperfect choices, the more you’ll open yourself up to the wisdom your intuition has to offer.
Reflect on Your Choices
After making decisions, take time to reflect on how they felt. Did you feel at peace with your choice? Did your body offer signs of alignment or discomfort? Reflecting on these feelings will help you fine-tune your ability to listen to your intuition and trust yourself more deeply.
Embrace the Journey
Learning to trust your intuition is a process. It’s about embracing the unknown and giving yourself the space to explore. With practice, you’ll become more confident in your ability to make decisions that feel aligned with your authentic self.
If you’re ready to explore your inner wisdom, therapy can help you connect with your intuition in a supportive, reflective space. Together, we can uncover your strengths and help you make empowered, authentic decisions.
Reach out here to book a complimentary 15-minute consultation today.