Questioning Your Intuition? Here's How to Know if it's Talking to You
The more time you spend understanding and being with your creative, intuitive self the more you’ll know when it’s speaking to you vs. your intellect. Intellect is a necessary tool that complements intuition. The same way you know how to use your intellect (and tell when it’s working for you), it’s the same kind of experience with intuition but you’re using your heart intelligence instead. It’s natural and easy for a disconnect to happen between the two. But there’s a way to combine them again so you can guide your life with your intuition without losing intellect. Keep reading (or listening!) to discover how.
Intuition is top of mind for a lot of people right now. After two years of working and sleeping and living in the same space, there’s a craving for boundaries. For reconnecting with ourselves again. After emailing my readers a post on intuition I got this question from one of them. They said:
“My background is in research science and I question everything. I find myself questioning my intuition- is this real or is this me making something up because I want to feel something spiritual. And if it is real- how do I know? I’m probably not the only one who struggles with this. Any help would be appreciated. Have an amazing day.”
First, thank you to this person for sharing their experience and trusting me with this question. I can imagine having the incredible training they do it would be tough to turn off the questioning. My husband’s a lawyer and DEFINITELY switches into this mode where he asks questions to get to the root of things. I’ve also felt a similar way in my early twenties where I couldn’t discern between my intuition or my ego self making something up. They are not alone, you aren’t either.
Through my years of praying, practicing listening, going to therapy, and reading books I feel more confident in hearing my intuition. Also, closer to it than I ever have. The ultimate hope is to have it be the strongest voice in my life and make every decision from it.
I’m going to share the thoughts I shared with this reader and hope it plants a seed for you. If you have further questions email me or leave a comment on this episode's blog post. Both are linked in your podcast app’s show notes.
The TLDR version is: the more time you spend understanding and being with your creative, intuitive self the more you’ll know when it’s speaking to you vs. your intellect.
Four Ways to Recognize Intuition
It’s awesome to have an intellect as developed and sharp as you do. It’s a necessary tool that complements intuition. The same way you know how to use your intellect (and tell when it’s working for you), it’s the same kind of experience with intuition but you’re using your heart intelligence instead.
It’s natural and easy for a disconnect to happen between the two. But there’s a way to combine them again so you can guide your life with your intuition without losing intellect.
Four things came to mind about how to know if it’s intuition (inner wisdom) vs. intellect (ego). Hopefully, this isn’t too overwhelming. I wanted to give you a supportive response and not a quick, sound bite answer.
1. Learn the characteristics of intuition.
What’s the nature of intuition? From what I’ve learned it’s quiet, not forceful, feels coherent throughout your whole body, and feels expansive and peaceful. Then compare that with characteristics of the ego. It’s fearful, anxious, worrisome, and overthinks or strategizes. The ego is in a state of scarcity whereas the intuition is abundant. Learning this was a game-changer for me.
It’s helpful to remember, too, that the higher self only wants what’s best for you. Everything it suggests will feel aligned and peaceful. When you learn to trust that things change. It doesn’t mean you won’t feel uncomfortable or fearful after your intuition reveals your truth to you. The ego will still try to jump in and protect you from change. But you’ll still feel that underlying feeling of peace and knowing.
A fun trick I discovered: When I find myself asking a lot of friends their advice about a decision I’m making that’s usually a sign I know what the real answer is but am afraid to admit it.
2. Practice acting on intuition in small ways.
If you’re hungry and wonder what to eat, act on the first answer you get in your gut before your mind kicks in. Same if you’re wondering what to do with free time. Acting on that first gut feeling builds trust and familiarity with your intuition. And also lets you practice in a low-stakes environment.
What if you make the wrong decision while you’re learning? First, I suggest reframing the idea of right or wrong. Every decision you make is an opportunity to learn. Life isn’t as black and white as we think. If you realize the choice you make ultimately doesn't resonate that’s great! You’ve discovered what DOESN’T work for you. You’ll keep learning what doesn’t work for you until all that’s left is what does. The quicker you can allow yourself to learn the quicker you’ll get to your answers.
Fun trick: Often when I would choose soda over water there was an intellectual persuasion that happen. I notice my body’s intuitive language wants water but my mind talks me into soda. Intuitive language doesn’t speak in a traditional sense. It’s an inner knowing that resonates in your heart and bones. It’s a knowing that vibrates in your whole body. Practice hearing that intuitive language. Get familiar with it.
3. Commune with your intuition every day.
Make it a habit to connect with your intuition so it’s a familiar and constant presence in your life. Things you can do are: create a morning routine, meditate, walk in nature, do something creative like writing or drawing, or snapping photos. Anything that takes you out of the mind and into the heart.
Fun trick: Where your focus goes your energy flows. The less time I give for my intuition to breathe and lead the less it influences my life. I’ve had to pivot my orientation from an ego-driven, doer mindset to allowing space. Being ok with being. Not having expectations or end goals with everything I do. Acting in faith that receiving abundance and goodness doesn’t require constant, diligent effort and force. It’s not something I have to will into existence. It’s already there for me so it’s ok to be still.
4. Get curious about ways your intuition speaks to you.
Intuition speaks in a language you understand. Think about times you felt prompted or guided. Was there a specific method the message was delivered?
For me, it’s through a small, quiet voice within and books. Sometimes other ways but those are the main methods. Every time I have a genuine question or confusion in my life a book with the exact answers I need appears. I’m someone who internalizes and is most receptive to new knowledge when I’m reading so it makes sense.
Fun trick: If you’re not sure how your intuition speaks to you take yourself on a date. Go to your favorite stores or do your favorite activity. Take note of when are you most receptive to new knowledge. What do you tend to gravitate toward?
Again, the four ways to recognize intuition are:
Learn the characteristics of intuition.
Practice acting on intuition in small ways.
Commune with your intuition every day.
Get curious about ways your intuition speaks to you.
As you keep incorporating these four suggestions you’ll get more comfortable and intimate with your intuition and soon it will become second nature.
Hopefully this is helpful and if you have any follow up questions don’t hesitate to send ‘em my way. :)
Affirmation
I commune with my intuition daily and give it the space to communicate with me.
Writing Prompt
What do I fear most about my intuition? What do I like the most about it? How am I stopping myself from being connected to it?
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