Your Remarkable Intuition: 4 Ways to Strengthen It
What is Intuition?
Have you ever had a feeling you should do something? For instance, you had a thought you should call a close friend. Or you had a random idea that sparked your interest? Perhaps your daughter asked if she could go to a party and you told her no because you had this “gut feeling”. Or maybe you met a person and immediately had this sense, this vibe that you didn’t want to be around them.
Did you dismiss the thought? Sometimes we let our logical brain take over. Instead of digging deeper and identifying where the thought came from, we let our brain decide it wasn’t real or rational. But sometimes we listen to that little nudge and we act on it. Turns out, your friend did need to talk to someone and you’re glad you listened to that feeling.
Intuition is more than a simple thought you have. It is that gut feeling, that sixth sense if you will. It’s a quiet voice or prodding thought that provides you with an answer you may not even know you were looking for. It’s that feeling of tightness in your chest or the queasiness in your stomach. It’s that feeling of pure peace and happiness. It appears without any rational thought behind it. Most often, it is an instinct rather than a reason. It can be a feeling or a sensation. When you feel apprehensive or uneasy, your intuition may be a warning to stay away from something. When you feel peace and excitement, it may be leading you to something wonderful.
It’s that gut feeling, that sixth sense...
Everyone can receive inspiration and intuition. Your intuition is a remarkable resource that will help you gain incredible insights. Some of us are better at listening to our intuition than others. But you can learn to listen. It just takes a little practice. Here are four ways to recognize when your intuition is talking to you.
Intuition Means You Listen From Your Heart, Not Your Head
Don’t judge, just listen. Learn to tune into those subtle thoughts and feelings. We tend to dismiss intuitive thoughts because they don’t always fit with what our rational brain is telling us. But that’s exactly the point. Intuition comes from a deeper source. It comes from deep within our unconscious thoughts. It comes from our innate wisdom. When we ignore our intuition, we continue to feel out of alignment until we act on it. Acting on our intuition is the key to strengthening it. More about that later.
Go For a Walk or Meditate to Listen to Your Intuition
Leave your earbuds at home and go out for a walk. Our world is so busy with distractions literally at our fingertips all day long. Continuous notifications from our phones and our watches interrupt our thoughts. No wonder we’ve lost the ability to tap into one of our most vital resources -- our inner wisdom, our heart and soul, our subconscious. Walking improves your mood. It releases those feel-good endorphins. When your mood is elevated, you make better intuitive choices. Negative emotions can block your insights and make them harder to recognize. If you can’t get out for a walk, find a comfortable spot and meditate. It’s imperative to find some quiet time if you want to tap into your innate wisdom. Meditation is a perfect way to turn off the noise and listen. Practicing mindfulness helps you learn to quiet your mind and strengthens your ability to hear your thoughts. Meditation can reduce stress levels and open your mind to new perspectives and self-awareness.
Keep a Journal of Your Intuition
Writing is one of the best ways to process your thoughts. Each time you recognize and tune into an intuitive thought, take some time to write down your feelings and emotions. It also helps you dig deeper into why you may have received the intuition. Maybe you’re in the midst of making a big decision. Writing out your thoughts can help you tap into your heart and feelings that may be on a deeper subconscious level. The more you tap into your intuition, the better you get at it. Keeping a daily or weekly journal helps you notice trends in your life. You’ll start to notice times when you receive your best intuition. Journaling helps you make sense of things and work through problems. Plus, it’s so rewarding to go back and read about your experiences.
Take Action on Your Intuition
I’ll have to admit. This is probably the hardest part. It’s one thing to listen to your intuition. It’s quite another to actually act on it. First, you’re not really sure why you had that thought. It just popped into your head. Second, it seems a little ridiculous. And third, what will people think? I get it. I’ve been there so many times. The interesting thing about an intuitive thought is that at first glance, it may not seem to have anything to do with your current situation. But, when you stop and look closer, you find that it is exactly what you need. Why? Because it came from your inner source of wisdom. It is truth in its simplest form. It’s the answer you were looking for. When you take action on your intuition, it strengthens your connection. You’ll find that you get even better at recognizing intuitive thoughts and you’ll feel more aligned with your life purpose.
Reach Your Intuition Potential
When you walk through life tuning into your innate wisdom, you allow yourself to grow to your fullest potential. You allow your life to flow with purpose and intent. Cultivating your intuition takes practice. Learn to stop and listen to your heart. It knows the way, it always has. You can trust it. Create time to access that power within you. Write down your thoughts and feelings. Take note of the actions you took, whether you followed the intuitive thought or not.
By living intuitively, you can achieve so much more than you ever believed you could. Because in the end, it’s all about trust. Trust yourself, trust your intuition.
