What's Your Relationship with Your Intuition?

You've probably heard a lot about listening to your intuition, right? And while it seems simple enough to do, it's not. Our brains are constantly feeding us information, but some of it comes from ego or fear, not our Higher Selves.

When Have You Ignored Your Intuition?

We often ignore our intuition because it can tell us things we don't want to hear. Case in point: my marriage. I had numerous examples of having a funny feeling that my ex was lying to me, and yet to accept that he was indeed lying meant I would have to entertain what the end of our relationship would look like.

And I wasn't ready to let it go.

Since my divorce, I've berated myself for not listening to my gut. Maybe you've done the same about a relationship or a decision that didn't turn out for the best.

Now, I refuse to have regrets, because even the bad decisions shape who we become. But I am more committed to listening and acting on my intuition.

Is it Fear or Intuition?

I'm reading Make Some Noise by Andrea Owen (and highly recommend it), and she talks about the fact that many people confuse intuition and fear. Maybe you're confused about the differences too. This should help:

• Intuition is a soft, gentle whisper, while fear is loud and persistent.

• With intuition, you can't explain why you feel that way, but fear has a story around it.

• Intuition doesn't have an emotional charge; fear does.

• Intuition lives in the present and doesn't remind you of the past or create possible future scenarios. Fear is only in the past and future.

• Fear is restrictive and small, and intuition is expansive and open.

I know that when I ignored my intuition, it was out of fear. Fear of my marriage shattering. Of being alone. But I have to thank intuition for the day I did leave because it overcame every fear I had, and my life is so much better for having moved on.

Ask yourself whether a decision or thought you have comes from fear or intuition using the guidance above. I'll bet it's more often fear, and that's something you can overcome.

Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide

If you aren't accustomed to listening to your gut on big decisions, start small. On a day where you don't have much in the way of obligations, let your intuition be in charge. Go for a walk and turn wherever it tells you to. Don't overthink what to order for lunch; pick the first thing that catches your eye.

Don't second-guess yourself. Whatever your mind decides, do it. We often push intuition aside when we're living in our heads and overthinking everything. Just trust your Higher Self to make the right call.

Over time, this will become second nature, and you'll start living more authentically, listening to your intuition.