life lessons

how to recognize your intuition

According to Merriam-webster, the definition for intuition is as follows: 


: something that is known or understood without proof or evidence

This powerful tool lives within each and everyone of us and it can help guide you in your life; but fair warning, it's often harder than you think to tap into.

But it's necessary we start recognizing it, if we are truly going to live the life we're meant to live.

As a kid, I constantly heard people throwing around the term "mother's intuition" when someone's mom said something would happen and it did. Kind of like the third eye all moms have in the back of their heads (haha, but seriously, I feel like this is a thing). 

Often times, moms are very in-tune with their feelings when it comes to their children. Call it what you will, but 'somehow' many mother's know exactly what's going on with their children and how they're feeling, without actually knowing for certain.

This is their INTUITION speaking.

For most of us non-mother types, intuition is often ignored more than it is acted upon. It's that feeling or sense that you get inside when you have to make a big decision.

Some people call it their 'gut' decision. But again, that's your intuition trying to be heard. It's making a statement, people. And it wants you to pay attention.

For instance, say you're changing jobs and you just had an interview for a company that you felt deep down doesn't align with who you are or your values.

Nevertheless, the interview went well and they are sending an offer your way. You KNOW it's not what you want or where your next move should be, but other factors take over and drown the noise of your intuition.

Intuition is that instinctual feeling you have inside. That little voice telling you not to do it. Not because it's dangerous in the literal sense, but because it will make you unhappy and unfulfilled.

But you take the job.

Why? Because you made a choice. You chose to ignore your intuition when it was clear. Not on purpose. Often it's because we don't allow our intuition to enter our brain as truth.

I've been there many times. I knew that the decision I was making wasn't the right one; however, I did it anyways.

Ugh, big mistake - or Mis-Take, as my mom often says.

Truth be told, our intuition is actually our internal compass.

It's what makes each and everyone of us unique in our own way. It's how we see the world. What we value as good and bad and how we process decisions.

It's inside of us to guide us towards our dreams- but as stated above- if we ignore it, we can be put on a path of confusion, frustration, anger and all the bad feels, simply because we are out of alignment with who we really are.

What's your intuition telling you to do? What big decision are you struggling to make? Are you currently living a good and happy life? ( I don't mean sunshine and rainbows everyday).

Do you feel fulfilled?

According to psychology today, researchers have discovered the following about our intuition:

Scientists have discovered that humans appear to have two, very different “operating systems.”  System 1 is our quick, instinctual, and often subconscious way of operating – it is controlled by our right brain and by other parts of our brain that have been around since prehistoric times, known as the “limbic” and reptilian” parts of our brain.  System 2 is our slower, more analytical, and conscious way of operating – it is controlled by our left brain and by newer parts of our brain that have only developed since prehistoric times (also known as the “neocortex”).  Researchers have found that intuition is part of System 1, which is why it comes on so rapidly and often does not make rational sense to us.  In other words, intuitive decisions are not something that we have thought out carefully with reason, but rather choices that have arisen quickly out of instinct. 

So the next time you are questioning your decision making abilities or feel lost and confused about something big in your life, find a place to be still and really try and tap into your intuition.

The more you do this, a new habit will form and you will be more in-tune with your own internal compass. I promise. 

Let me know how it goes in the comments below!