Sometimes your intuition acts as a reliable inner compass, directing your brain toward those choices that feel necessary.
However, there are also times when fear, past pain, or stress influence what our “sixth sense” tells us and, therefore, the way we interpret it.
Following your instinctual feelings can sometimes create chaos or decisions that are regrettable down the line, so learning to discern when it is appropriate not to heed that inner voice is paramount.
When You’re Overwhelmed by Intense Emotion
Strong feelings can amplify our instinctive ability to know what’s going on around us. However, they often misleadingly color and distort our perceptions.
For example, when under duress (i.e., anger/fear/pain), you don’t actually see what’s in front of you. This loss of self-control creates confusion and pushes out other considerations in your decision-making process.
If you make a choice, you will most likely regret it later. Prioritize your feelings and wait until your mind clears to trust your gut instinct. Once the chaos settles, you will be able to recognize your gut instinct again.
When You’re Operating From Past Trauma
Intuition is unreliable when trauma is triggered. And the result is that we tend to believe our old wounds are our instincts and push us away from things or people that are safe.
The feelings we experience from fear created by trauma are the same as intuitively knowing something is not right, but the difference is that trauma is based on memory and not reality.
If you are reacting way too quickly to a perceived threat or are creating fear where there is none, then you should take a breath and identify if that feeling is yours now or from your past.
When You’re Deeply Attached to a Specific Outcome
If you really want something like a relationship or a job and there is an emotional attachment, you may be unable to see red flags as easily as you would if you were not emotionally attached.
Many times, people believe that every little thing they see is a sign that they will get a specific outcome, but in reality, that is not intuition; it is just hope.
If you find yourself in this situation, you should take a step back and look at the facts surrounding your situation, ask for others’ opinions, and listen to their perspectives on your situation.
Your inner voice will tell you what to do based on how much you desire something, and at this time, you are longing for the thing that you desire and not speaking the truth about the situation. Once you release the desire to achieve one specific outcome, this will give you clarity in your situation.
When You’re Exhausted or Burned Out
Fatigue negatively impacts both the quality of your thinking and the reliability of your instincts. A fatigued person does not have the mental and physical ability to separate intuition from anxiety.
As a result, simple choices can become overwhelming, and you may experience inconsistent internal dialogue. You may also misinterpret events or view them negatively. In the context of understanding burnout, it is important to prioritize rest before making potential decisions.
Quality sleep, nourishment, and practicing mindfulness can help restore a sense of self and optimal function, thereby restoring an individual’s ability to access the correct insight and guidance.
Once your body regains its health and vitality, your ability to communicate with your intuition will improve, and until that time arrives, avoid making any important decisions and rely on your practical reasoning.
When You Don’t Have Enough Information
An intuition can spring from nuances rather than sheer speculation. A lack of knowledge about someone or something often leads to a gut reaction of discomfort rather than an instinct of intuition.
This source of intuition generally stems from fear, prejudice, and preconceived notions rather than gut instinct. Before placing total belief in this source of intuition, collect as much factual data as possible about the situation and the individual.
Take the time to ask questions, observe actions, and develop your own understanding of the event. True intuition will become apparent when placed into a proper context.
When Your Ego Wants to Be Right
Your gut knows very well what is happening. The reason is that a gut instinct is a response from your brain. Gut instinct is often associated with something your head is telling you.
Too often, we confuse ego-based responses with intuitive feelings, and our emotional mind does not want to accept the facts of the matter. Ego-based responses generate conflict, stubbornness, and irrational behavior.
To overcome an ego-based response, be humble. When you are defensive, competitive, or arrogant, it is likely your ego speaking, and you need to take a moment to ground yourself.
Someone who is genuinely intuitive can reflect that intuition through calmness and confidence. An ego that has a loud voice will silence the intuition and remove any confidence and authenticity that have been developed through experience and knowledge.
Born and raised in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Ever since I was a little girl, my imagination knew no bounds. I remember vividly how I’d scribble down short stories, each page bursting with adventures and characters conjured up from the whimsy of my mind. These stories weren’t just for me; they were my way of connecting with my friends, offering them a slice of my fantasy world during our playtimes. The joy and excitement on their faces as we dived into my fictional realms motivated me to keep writing. This early passion for storytelling naturally evolved into my pursuit of writing, turning a childhood hobby into a fulfilling career.