Call it what you will- intuition, gut instinct, or inner voice- there is a practical use for this guide in everyday life. Your intuition, which often comes to you in the form of a little voice in the back of your mind, can keep you out of trouble and it can be a powerful decision-making tool.
Intuition is the immediate knowing of something without conscious reasoning. You’re more informed than you think, picking up tons of tidbits everyday. A lot of these facts are stored in your brain for future use. Because intuition collects little bits of data at a very rapid pace in order to allow you to make a split second judgment, it can be as reliable, if not more reliable, sometimes, than logic.
But when should you listen to your intuition? And is there ever a time to ignore that little voice?
In Friendship: Friends are really important; they are essential to our well-being. Think about the amazing feeling you get after hanging out with some of your favorite people. You feel at once light and confident. But if we open ourselves up to the wrong people, we can end up feeling terrible, weak and weighed-down. Listening for your inner voice can help you understand and relate to your friends better. When you’re true to yourself, others let down their guards around you and mirror that behavior. Your intuition can also help you detect someone who is not entirely truthful. While you may not always have a choice in who is around you, you can choose how much influence they have in your life. Choose to keep the toxic people – the people who give you that uneasy feeling – at a figurative arm’s-length. If you question your inner voice and your judgment when it comes to people, this might be a time to ignore your intuition. Let’s say you realize you have a natural distrust for people, rather than being standoffish with everyone – rely on a reliable, honest friend. You can bounce your intuitive thoughts off of her and she can help you gauge you reactions. This will help you develop a connection to your honest inner voice.
At School: Intuition is an important part of brainpower. Sometimes, if we sit and analyze things too much, we end up slightly off the mark when it comes time to make a decision. When taking a test, especially in the multiple choice format, trust yourself. Unless you are absolutely sure the first choice you made is incorrect, go with your gut. Studies and anecdotes show your first choice is usually correct. Your intuition can guide you on the sports fields, too. Television crews caught Olympic gold-medal winning skier Lindsey Vonn gearing up before her big race. Her eyes were closed and her arms were raised, as though she were floating through each of the slalom gates on the hill. She was visualizing her upcoming run. You can do the same thing. With enough practice and conditioning, you can turn your performance over to intuition, letting your emotions and instincts guide you.
Personal Safety: Whether you’re at a party, walking down the street, or are simply in a conversation that’s taken a turn, if something is “off,” you know it. It’s the tingle going up your spine or the butterflies in your stomach. Trust your intuition and take charge as soon as possible. Often, girls and young women have a strong need to please, a desire to avoid confrontation, or a worry that we will offend someone. In situations where you feel your personal safety might be compromised, don’t worry about offending anyone. Listen for the warning bells in your head and heed the message. You won’t regret listening but you might regret it if you don’t. Excuse yourself and find a safe person to talk to if you’re getting that uneasy feeling. Go back upstairs to be around friends, if you find yourself alone and uncomfortable at a party. Cross the street if you find yourself facing someone who’s giving you the creeps.
There’s nothing wrong with you if you have a hard time hearing what your intuition is telling you. Your intuition is something you can work on, a muscle you can build. Here are some tips to help you access this valuable voice. Become aware of your feelings, keep a journal, and get to know yourself better. This will help you recognize your honest reactions to things, so when you are in the moment you can better identify your intuition when it’s talking to you. Quiet the nagging voices in your head and listen to the good, positive, instructive ones. Sit for a few minutes each day and listen to your thoughts, releasing the bad ones that don’t serve you. Repeating positive thoughts can help quiet the negative ones. And try to keep a record, mental or otherwise, of the times you’ve followed your gut instinct to success. Once you tap into your intuition, making decisions, being true to yourself, and feeling good will become easier.
Albert Einstein said, “The only real valuable thing is intuition.”
Guest post by Amanda Berlin — a former teen, currently a writer and fitness enthusiast living in New York City. For more, visit www.amandaberlin.com.
