How I Trust My Instincts
Ever had that "aha" moment when you were clear on something in your life? Maybe you have a memory when you knew deep inside that you should or shouldn't do something? That was your instincts talking. Some people say that this is God's voice directing them to the right path and some call it your inner voice but, I believe, it is the same thing. There is also evidence of your gut/brain axis (gut feeling) that can guide your way (I will post about later). Your instincts may be God's voice, it may be the universe, and it may be your subconscious voice, but which ever you believe, it is true.
I am here to help you honor your instincts (guiding voice inside of you) so you can live your best life
with less "work" on your part.
Lets get the definition straight. First of all, the word instinct is a noun (person, place, or thing). It is not an action, or a way to describe something. It is a "thing" that is inside all of us, all of the time. The definition is described below from Merriam Webster dictionary:
Instinct:
-a natural desire or tendency that makes you want to act in a particular way
-something you know without learning it or thinking about it
-a natural ability
Personally, I did not start trusting my instincts until later in my mid-twenties and, even now, I have many doubts and times of people pleasing tendencies. In my teenage years and early twenties, I was a young girl with very low self confidence and always thought other people knew what I should be doing rather than following my heart. For some people, following your voice starts much earlier in life and for some, much later. This is okay, it's never too late to trust your instincts to guide your life.
So....How to start trusting your instincts....
#1. Know yourself.
“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
He is right because you cannot expect to get what you want if you do not know yourself and your true values. Whatever works for you, is good!
You can learn about yourself by evaluating your life, without judgement and criticism Look at yourself honestly and curiously and love everything you have seen and done, for it made you who you are. Remember you are okay, just as you are. Finding a regular spiritual practice can help you know yourself. You can have a spiritual practice in many ways. I suggest you find a way or ways that light you up and energizes your true self in a peaceful manner. I am a woman who likes change and so I like to change my spiritual practice to match my current life and desires.
Some examples of a spiritual practice are:
Dance
Meditation
Belonging to a Church or Group
Art
Journaling
Cooking
Yoga
Walking/Running
Being in Nature
Gardening
