Eliza Hartley
Intuition can be a tricky thing. It’s that little voice in the back of your head, the gut feeling that something isn’t quite right, or even the sense of excitement when an opportunity feels just right.
According to psychology, there are certain moments in life where you should never ignore your intuition.
These are crucial moments where your internal compass is trying to guide you, and ignoring it could lead to regret or missed opportunities.
In this article, I’ll share 9 key moments where you should always trust your gut instinct.
Buckle up, it’s time to start listening to your inner self.
1) When making a big decision
Life is full of big decisions.
Whether it’s choosing a career path, deciding where to live, or even picking a life partner, these choices can have a profound impact on our lives.
Psychologists have highlighted the role of intuition in strategic decision-making. Your intuition is a product of your subconscious mind. It’s constantly processing information and experiences even when you’re not consciously aware of it.
It may pick up on patterns or details your conscious mind overlooks. Therefore, when grappling with a big decision, it’s crucial not to ignore your gut feeling.
It’s trying to communicate with you and potentially steer you toward the choice that aligns best with your deepest desires and values.
Of course, this doesn’t mean you should make decisions impulsively. It’s essential to balance intuition with rational thinking — they go hand in hand.
2) When you feel uncomfortable in a certain situation
We’ve all had those moments where we find ourselves in a situation that just doesn’t feel right.
I remember once, I was at a party with a group of people I didn’t know very well. Everyone seemed friendly enough, but something was making me uneasy.
I couldn’t put my finger on it, but my gut was telling me something was off.
Ignoring my discomfort, I decided to stay, trying to convince myself that I was just being overly cautious.
But as the night went on, the party took a negative turn and ended with nastiness all round.
There had been some underlying conflict in the group that I hadn’t been aware of, and it all came out with a few drinks. It turned out my intuition had been correct.
3) When you meet someone new
The initial impression you get when you meet someone new can be surprisingly accurate.
This is thanks to what psychologists call “thin slicing“.
Our brains make surprisingly accurate judgments about people based on very limited information.
In fact, a study conducted at Princeton University found that people form impressions about attractiveness, likeability, trustworthiness, competence, and aggressiveness within a tenth of a second of seeing someone’s face for the first time!
Your intuition might pick up on subtle signs that someone isn’t trustworthy or that they might be a great friend.
It’s worth paying attention to these initial feelings.
They’re not always right, of course, but they can provide valuable information that you might overlook if you’re focused only on what the person is saying or doing.
4) When faced with a health concern
Your body has an incredible way of communicating with you, often through intuition.
If you’re feeling unwell or notice something different about your health, your intuition might be trying to alert you to something more serious.
There may be subtle changes or symptoms that aren’t glaringly obvious or severe enough to push you to seek medical attention immediately.
But if your gut feeling keeps nudging you that something isn’t right, it’s important not to ignore this.
Of course, intuition isn’t a substitute for professional medical advice.
But it can serve as an early warning system, prompting you to get checked out sooner rather than later.
Trusting your intuition in this regard could potentially lead to early detection and treatment of health issues.
5) When it’s time to leave
Knowing when to walk away from a situation, a job, or even a relationship can be one of the hardest decisions to make.
But often, your intuition can guide you in the right direction.
If you’re constantly feeling unhappy, drained, or stressed in a particular situation, don’t ignore it.
Your intuition is there to protect your well-being.
If something doesn’t feel right and the feeling persists, it might indicate that it’s time to move on.
It’s not always easy to follow this intuition – fear of change or uncertainty can hold us back.
But in the long run, listening to your inner voice can lead you toward a path better aligned with your happiness and peace of mind.
6) When something feels too good to be true
We’ve all heard the saying, “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.”
This is another moment where your intuition can save you from potential disappointment or harm.
Imagine you’re offered a job with an incredibly high salary, but something about the offer just doesn’t sit right with you.
It might be a scam!
This has happened to me multiple times. People prey on your desire for the perfect job and use it to exploit you.
Or perhaps you meet someone who seems perfect in every way. Yet, there’s a little voice inside you telling you things may not be as they seem.
These are moments when it’s crucial to listen to your intuition.
It’s that gentle whisper of caution that prevents you from jumping headfirst into situations that could lead to regret down the line.
Your intuition operates from a place of wisdom and experience.
It takes into account the lessons you’ve learned, the values you hold dear, and the dreams you harbor in your heart.
7) When you’re drawn to something new
There was a time when I found myself inexplicably drawn to painting.
I had no formal training or experience, but the idea of creating art just wouldn’t leave me alone. It was a strong, intense pull that I couldn’t ignore.
I decided to follow this intuitive nudge and started painting in my spare time.
Now, several years later, art has become an integral part of my life and a source of immense joy and fulfillment. I couldn’t live without it!
Our intuition can often lead us towards new hobbies, interests, or paths that we may never have considered otherwise.
These intuitive pulls could be guiding you towards something you need.
8) When you sense danger
Our intuition is a powerful tool for self-preservation. It can alert us to danger before we consciously realize it.
This could be a physical danger, like noticing a car speeding toward you. Or it could be emotional danger, like sensing dishonesty in someone close to you.
If you ever find yourself in a situation where you feel a sudden, inexplicable sense of fear or unease, don’t dismiss it as paranoia.
It could be your intuition trying to protect you.
Evolution has equipped us with a pretty powerful threat detection system.
Don’t ignore it if it screams at you!
9) When you need to trust yourself
The most essential time to trust your intuition is when you need to believe in yourself.
Whether you’re doubting your abilities or feeling insecure, your intuition can serve as a grounding force.
It can remind you of your capabilities and strengths, often in moments when you need it the most.
This inner voice is a reflection of your true self. It’s the part of you that knows what you’re capable of — even when self-doubt tries to convince you otherwise.
In moments of self-doubt, turn inward and listen to your intuition. It’s your inner cheerleader, reminding you to trust in yourself and your abilities.
Final thoughts: Trusting your inner compass
The mind can often be a mystery to us.
Yet, the power of our intuition is deeply ingrained in our subconscious and is continually guiding us, even when we’re not consciously aware of it.
Renowned psychologist Carl Jung once said, “Intuition does not denote something contrary to reason, but something outside of the province of reason.”
This encapsulates the essence of intuition perfectly. It operates beyond the realms of logic and reason, providing insights and guidance that our conscious mind might overlook.
The moments in life that call for a heightened awareness of our intuition are varied and many.
Whether it’s making a big decision, encountering danger, or trusting ourselves, our intuition is there to guide us.
After all, your intuition is a part of you. And who knows you better than yourself?
