We often hear that we’re naturally equipped with an instinctive ability to sense danger and pick up on subtle cues about people and places. Yet, as we grow older, society teaches us to suppress these gut feelings and rely solely on logic. If you’re looking to reconnect with your intuition, here are 19 crucial gut instincts that many tend to overlook.
Gut Feeling About a Child’s Well-Being
According to Parents.com, a parent’s intuition is a real phenomenon that can help them protect their kids from danger. So if you ever feel a sense of dread or discomfort associated with your child’s decision or whereabouts, it’s a good idea to double-check whether anything is amiss or dangerous about the situation.
Discomfort with a Medical Diagnosis or Treatment Plan
Feeling uncomfortable with your doctor’s recommended treatment plan or diagnosis? This could be an important sign that something’s not right about their advice. Therefore, it’s a good idea to do more research or get a second opinion before committing to anything.
Feeling Uncomfortable in Someone’s Presence
Upon meeting a new person or group of people, you may notice yourself getting a strange sense of unease, discomfort, or anxiety. This may be a sign that your intuition is telling you that this person could pose some kind of threat to you or your loved ones. Listening to this feeling may help you avoid danger in the future.
Sense of Being Watched or Followed
Have you ever felt the strange sense that you’re being watched, only to turn around and discover that someone was indeed looking in your direction? Some researchers believe that this “sixth sense” is a very real phenomenon. Even if the person is outside of your vision, your natural instincts may kick in to protect you from potential harm. This is why it’s important to listen to that feeling and check for signs of danger, even if you think no one is around to see you.
Immediate Distrust of a Situation or Offer
If you feel like something seems too good to be true, it’s likely that it is. Intuition can help us protect ourselves against fraudsters, scammers, and liars. So the next time you’re met with a suspicious offer or situation, tap into your inner wisdom before immediately deciding on an answer.
Feeling Something Is Wrong but Can’t Explain Why
Sometimes, even if we can’t quite put our finger on it, we just have a sense that something seems off. This can manifest as a subtle sense of apprehension, dread, or anxiety about a particular person or place. If you’re feeling this way, it’s a good idea to listen to that feeling and reconsider your course of action.
Compulsion to Double-Check Something
As noted by Psychology Today, the compulsion to double-check something can be a sign of obsessive-compulsive disorder. However, if you don’t believe you have this disorder, the urge to re-examine details could indicate that you have indeed forgotten something important.
Urge to Speak Up in a Group Setting
If you feel compelled to speak up in a group or public setting, this is usually a good sign that you have an important concern to raise or a message to spread. There have been many inspiring instances throughout history where people who have listened to this urge have made an important and lasting impact on the world.
Discomfort with a Decision You’ve Made
People who feel uncomfortable about a decision they’ve made may have subconsciously realized that it does not align with their personal values or goals. This can also be a sign that their decision could lead them into a dangerous or uncomfortable situation. If you feel this way, it’s a good idea to reconsider whether your choice was the best one for you.
Inclination to Help a Stranger
Have you ever felt randomly called to help a stranger who you think may be struggling? If so, this could be your empathy and instinctive drive to assist others kicking in. However, while it’s usually a good idea to offer your help, it’s also important to find the right balance between your altruism and personal safety.
Feeling Drawn to a Place or Path
If you’ve ever felt that you’re being drawn to a particular place or path, it’s possible that there may indeed be something important there waiting for you. Perhaps this is a place where a new and important person, opportunity, or experience will come into your life.
Sense of Needing to Leave a Situation
Experiencing a sense that you need to leave a particular place, situation, or relationship can be an important indicator that your well-being is at risk if you choose to stay. If the stakes are low, it’s always the safest option to listen to your gut and excuse yourself from the situation to avoid potential danger.
Sudden Desire to Reach Out to Someone
Many people can relate to the feeling of having a sudden urge to reach out to a specific person, only for that person to message them or confirm that they have been struggling with something. If you feel this desire yourself, it’s a good idea to follow up on your gut feeling and check to make sure everything is okay with the person in question.
Hesitation Before Making a Financial Investment
If you ever feel hesitant about making an important financial decision, purchase, or investment, it’s a good idea to reconsider and possibly do more research before committing. This can be a message from your gut, indicating that you may find yourself regretting the decision later if you follow through.
Intuition to Avoid a Certain Route or Mode of Transportation
You may have heard stories about people feeling intuitively guided to avoid a certain route or mode of transportation on a particular day and later discovering that they narrowly missed out on a catastrophic accident. While this is not always the case and you may simply be experiencing anxiety, it’s usually a good idea to pay attention to your body’s warning signals.
Reluctance to Share Personal Information
If you ever get a bad feeling about sharing sensitive information with someone, it’s probably a good idea to refrain from doing so. This may be your gut’s way of telling you to stick to your personal boundaries or avoid sharing your vulnerabilities with someone who may not be trustworthy.
Feeling Pressured to Conform
Research shows that peer pressure can significantly alter the way we make decisions. This makes it especially important to listen to your gut if you get the feeling that you may be making a mistake because you want to fit in with the group.
Intuition to Decline an Invitation or Commitment
Speaking of peer pressure, it can feel very difficult to say no to social invitations and requests from others. However, if your body responds negatively to the request or offer, this is a strong indicator that you should honor your boundaries and politely decline.
Immediate Connection or Disconnection with a Place
If you’ve just arrived in a new location and immediately feel connected to or disconnected from your surroundings, your gut may be providing you with important insights into how suitable it is for your needs. It’s a good idea to pay attention to these feelings and potentially reconsider your decision if you’re thinking about permanently relocating to the area.