Learning To Trust Your Intuition

We are all born with an innate intuitive ability. However, many of us tend to shut down this innate aspect of our inner being at a young age.

This can happen for a variety of reasons, but fear is often a major factor. Over time, many of us learn to view our intuition as our mind “playing tricks” or something to be wary of, or even as a source of discomfort that is just all in our imagination.

This misconception is unfortunate because intuition is not something to be feared or dismissed; rather, it is an integral part of our being that provides valuable insight and guidance.

Intuition is a fundamental part of living a full and complete life because it is a key part of our spiritual inner guidance. It cannot be lost or taken away. You are always in control of it and can choose to connect with it at any time.

The key to accessing and making the most of this inner wisdom is learning to trust its messages. But this can be challenging, especially when those messages are unclear or confusing. So, how do you cultivate greater trust in your intuition?

The first step in building trust with your intuition is to acknowledge and track the information it provides. Keep a journal or note-taking app handy and write down any intuitive insights you receive about your plans, goals, people, or situations. By recording these insights, you create a space for learning to understand how your intuition works and for validating your impressions over time.

In addition, pay attention to how your intuition communicates with you. Does it come through inner visions and daydreams? Do you hear snippets of conversation or songs? Do you experience gut feelings or physical sensations? Do you just “know” things without a clear context? Documenting these nuances will help you better understand your unique intuitive language and make it easier to interpret the guidance your receive.

Don’t try to comprehend with your mind. Your minds are very limited. Use your intuition ~ Madeleine L’Engle

The next step in strengthening your trust in your intuition is to cultivate a space of non-judgment around the information you receive. There is no “right” or “wrong” when it comes to intuition; it is simply abstract information. Do not label or dismiss your insights, gut feelings, and premonitions as far-fetched or wishful thinking. Instead, focus on documenting the information truthfully, without judgment or doubt. By doing so, you will foster a greater awareness of how your intuition communicates and can better navigate its guidance.

To illustrate this point, let me share a personal experience from my early days of psychic training. At the first formal development workshop I attended, the instructor paired us with each other for an intuitive reading exercise. When it was my turn, I the first impression I had was “apple pie.” This seemed out of context and was very puzzling, so I began to create an elaborate story around it. Perhaps it was a message from the other person’s deceased grandmother, who might have been known for her delicious apple pies?

When I shared my interpretation with my reading partner, the response was a blank stare and an awkward silence, because not only was her grandmother still very much alive, but she was also not much of a baker!

I felt a wave of doubt, wondering why spirit would give me such a seemingly irrelevant and incorrect piece of information. Clearly I had misinterpreted the message, or was I just missing something? I decided to persevere and see what came next. I began to perceive related impressions of family gatherings, a cozy living room with a fireplace, children playing in a pool, young people attending a high school prom…and then suddenly a dark, brooding, stormy sky. What the heck?

With some intuitive guidance from our teacher, it became clear that the message could be about warmth, comfort, and nostalgia. My reading partner then confirmed that she had indeed been struggling with a deep-seated longing for her youth and for simpler, more comforting times. So, the apple pie was about recapturing the essence of something cherished and familiar that she felt she had lost.

You will never follow your own inner voice until you clear up the doubts in your mind ~ Roy T. Bennett

Although the details weren’t immediately clear, my first impression of “apple pie” was simply too literal. I also realized later that “apple pie” is something I actually associate with my own youth and homey comfort. I should have just trusted that without any further embellishment or over-interpretation. The key takeaway for me was that the significance of intuitive messages often lies in their personal symbolic meaning rather than their literal content or what they might mean to someone else.

The essence of intuitive work is also about keeping the flow of energy open so that other and often more relevant insights can emerge. This experience taught me that the intuitive process involves accepting all impressions and symbols and trusting that they represent something meaningful or significant, even if their immediate meaning isn’t obvious. The goal is to stay connected and receptive, allowing the flow of energy to guide us, rather than getting caught up in whether a particular intuition makes perfect sense.

Take note of what comes to you and always stay open to the flow of intuitive insights. The more you practice, the more information you will receive that makes sense.

The final step in developing more trust in your intuition is to become more confident and have faith in your innate intuitive abilities. It is crucial to recognize that you are naturally intuitive and capable of channeling information from your Higher Self, Spirit and the Divine. The more you document and validate your intuitive experiences, the more this self-belief will solidify.

Just as it took time to disconnect from your intuition, reconnecting with it will also be a journey. By following the steps outlined above, you will pave the way for reestablishing a stronger connection with your inner guidance. Embrace the process with patience and openness, and may your journey be filled with joy and grace as you rediscover and trust the invaluable guidance your intuition has to offer.