Trusting our own instincts is not as easy as we might think.

Even the most self-assured among us may struggle with decision making and trusting their own intuition or gut feeling.

It can be a valuable skill that takes time and practice to develop.

Let’s discuss some steps to help us cultivate trust in our own instincts:

How to Trust Your Instincts

Self-awareness: Take time to understand yourself better. Reflect on your past experiences and decisions. What worked well in the past? What didn’t? Understanding our own tendencies and biases can help us recognize when our instincts are guiding us.

Listen to your gut: Pay attention to those initial feelings or reactions you have in various situations. Our instincts often manifest as subtle feelings or sensations. Trusting our gut means acknowledging these feelings and considering them alongside other information.

Test your instincts: Start with low-stakes situations where you can afford to rely on your instincts and see how things turn out. Over time, as we see positive outcomes from trusting our instincts, we’ll become more confident in them.

Learn from mistakes: It’s okay to make mistakes. They’re opportunities for learning and growth. When our instincts lead us astray, take the time to reflect on what happened and why. This can help refine our instincts for future decisions.

Quiet the noise: In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by information and opinions from others. While it’s important to seek advice and input when necessary, learn to tune out the noise and listen to your inner voice.

Practice mindfulness: Practices like meditation or mindfulness can help us become more attuned to our thoughts and feelings. When we’re present in the moment, we’re better able to recognize and trust our instincts.

Build confidence: Confidence in yourself and your abilities is key to trusting your instincts. Celebrate your successes and remind yourself of times when your instincts served you well.

Seek feedback: It can be helpful to get feedback from trusted friends, mentors, or advisors. They can provide different perspectives that may validate or challenge your instincts, helping you refine them further.

Balance with rationality: While trusting our instincts is important, it’s also crucial to balance them with rational thought and analysis. Consider all available information before making a decision and use your instincts as one piece of the puzzle.

Practice patience: Trusting our instincts is a skill that develops over time. Be patient with yourself as you learn to rely on your inner wisdom and intuition.

Final Thoughts

I’ve struggled with decision making in the past, for me part of the solution is letting go and trusting in a higher power, or even just being comfortable that wrong decisions can sometimes have a silver lining or way of working out in the end.

By incorporating some of the practices mentioned into your daily life, you can gradually build trust in your instincts and make more confident decisions.

Thanks for reading.

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