"I had a gut feeling not to take that job… but I ignored it. Six months later, I was completely burnt out and realized my intuition had been right all along."
Sound familiar? Many of us have been in a situation where our inner voice was quietly guiding us in one direction, but fear and overthinking led us to make the opposite choice. The challenge lies in distinguishing between true intuition and the noise of fear. Learning to recognize the difference can help us make clearer decisions, trust ourselves more deeply, and ultimately align with our higher purpose.
So how can you tell whether you’re listening to your intuition or your fear? Here’s a breakdown of what each feels like.
What Intuition Feels Like vs. What Fear Feels Like
Both intuition and fear can show up in our thoughts and feelings, but they communicate with us in distinct ways. The key is learning to tune in and recognize the subtle differences.
Intuition Feels Like:
Calm and Clear: Intuition shows up as an instant knowing or gentle nudge that feels clear and direct. It's like a soft voice within that you simply know is true.
Neutral and Non-judgmental: Intuition doesn’t pressure you or make you feel guilty; it’s simply a quiet, neutral knowing. There’s no anxiety or urgency in the message.
Physical Sensation: You might feel a gut feeling, a sense of peace, or a knowing in your heart. Intuition is often felt physically in the body, whether as a warmth, lightness, or a calm inner state.
Persistent but Gentle: True intuition will keep showing up, softly and persistently. It's not overpowering or overwhelming; it just gently guides you in the right direction.
This might happen when you meet someone for the first time and immediately feel a sense of calm or a quiet knowing that they are aligned with your values. You don’t need any proof, and you trust it instinctively.
Fear Feels Like:
Loud and Overwhelming: Fear often makes you feel anxious, repetitive, or trapped. It runs in loops in your mind, replaying worst-case scenarios.
Urgent and Pressured: Fear creates a sense of panic, like “I have to make a decision now or something bad will happen.” It pushes you to act out of urgency, often causing impulsive choices.
Overthinking: If you find yourself spiraling in thoughts, weighing every possible outcome, and talking yourself in and out of decisions, that’s typically fear at work, not intuition.
Rooted in Past Experience or Worries: Fear is often based on past trauma, societal conditioning, or projected worries about the future. It tells you stories from the past that keep you stuck in old patterns.
Fear might show up when you feel a strong desire to take a leap of faith, but immediately your mind is flooded with thoughts like: “What if I fail? What if people judge me? What if this doesn’t work out?” These thoughts are driven by fear, not intuition.
Key Differences Between Intuition and Fear
The key to distinguishing intuition from fear lies in how each feels. Intuition is calm, clear, and confident. Fear is loud, anxious, and often rooted in past experiences or imagined scenarios. When you tap into your inner wisdom and get familiar with these differences, you’ll find yourself making decisions that feel aligned and true to who you are.
How to Strengthen Your Intuition:
Practice Listening: Start paying attention to your inner voice. Spend a few minutes each day in silence, allowing yourself to tune in and listen to what your intuition is telling you.
Trust Small Nudges: Begin with small decisions where you can practice trusting your gut. Whether it’s deciding on what to eat or which turn to take, start listening to your inner wisdom in little ways.
Get Out of Your Head: Fear thrives in overthinking. Give yourself space to breathe and get out of your head. Practice mindfulness, meditate, or go for a walk to quiet the mental noise.
Look for Patterns: Reflect on past decisions and look for patterns. When have you ignored your intuition and regretted it? When have you followed it, and things turned out better than expected?
Ready to Awaken Your Intuition?
If you want deeper guidance and practical tools to strengthen your intuitive gifts, join my upcoming workshop, Awaken Your Inner Knowing. We’ll dive into:
✔ Practical exercises to recognize and trust intuition
✔ Guided meditations to activate your inner wisdom
✔ How to overcome fear & overthinking when making decisions
🔮 Click here to sign up & step into your intuitive power!
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