Fear vs Intuition

You often hear that you should follow your intuition to make the best possible choices. But how can you tell the difference between fear and intuition? 

When we are presented with a chance to grow and move outside our comfort zone, it is normal to feel a little unsure and scared. In spite of what you may believe or some of the rhetoric out there, just because things feel easy and calm does not always mean that you are doing what you are meant to do. Sometimes the thing you are meant to do will feel scary and risky. 

The key is to be able to distinguish between fear that you have to move through and your intuition telling you that something is not aligned. 

My favorite way to do this is to tap into my body and access its wisdom. When I am unsure whether it is my fear or intuition talking, I simply get quiet, close my eyes, take a few deep breaths, and ask myself if the thing I am thinking about makes me feel expansive or contracted.

Do I feel excited, expanded, open, joyful? Or do I feel dread, heavy, contracted? 

If I feel that sense of excitement and expansion, then I know that I need to move through the fear and go forward with the opportunity. If I feel contracted and heavy, then I know that for whatever reason, this opportunity is not aligned and not for me. 

Your mind will always try to keep you safe and will try to steer you away from that scary thing. You need to stop relying on your thoughts and trust your body. In addition to this quick exercise, a regular meditation practice, journaling, and quiet walks by yourself are all practices that will help you tune into your body and better understand what it is trying to tell you. 

This is a very helpful and impactful practice that will immediately help you tune into your body’s innate intelligence and live a more aligned life. Try it out!