Going with or trusting your gut is an interesting idea. We’ve probably all heard it or been told to trust it at some point in our lives. But how reliable is our gut? Should we follow it? Wholeheartedly, not at all or at times? I’ve often wondered if my gut was trustworthy and yet, so often, I don’t follow it. So, what are the pro’s and cons of following this potentially invaluable organ?
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Trust Your Gut
On these occasions I always like to say, it’s a cliché for a reason. Whilst we shouldn’t trust or buy in to every cliché. I think there’s always something to be learned. Even if the knowledge we gain is the reason why this is incorrect. Or no longer accurate with the advent of modernity and technology. However, there seems to be more to the story when it comes to your gut. I admit it may seem odd to allow it to weigh in on decisions. And yet, we rely on our heart and brain to have a say. So, why not our gut? And what do we miss out on when we don’t trust it?
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We can think of trusting our gut as part of the picture of self-awareness and self-trust. It is our intuition, it tells us something instinctive. This instinct is perhaps the purest form of our self, our opinions and our comfort zones. It tells us what we truly think and feel about something. Before the rest of the world, including our own fears and anxieties can cloud our thinking. I really started thinking about my gut, and how it may be drowned out by other considerations, when I had my daughter. There were times when I had a sense about what might be the right choice or decision. But I got caught up with everyone else’s opinions that I often ignored my instinct in favour of someone else’s suggestion. Invariably, my initial gut reaction turned out to be the right choice. How much time, energy and heartache may I saved if I had listened to it?
Adjust Your Gut
I’ll apologise for the subheading straight off. But I liked the interplay and poetry of the two headings. I hope you will forgive me. It seems there is good reason to trust your gut. It tells us something valuable about how we truly feel. But it doesn’t account for other perspectives on a situation that we may not have considered. Gut reactions are instinctual, a part of ourselves we often don’t tap into. But it isn’t the be and end all. It doesn’t tell us everything.
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Usually the best decisions are made when many voices are heard and perspectives considered. The fears, anxieties and other emotions that clamour to have a say. And so often drown out our gut, may have a valuable point. The perspectives of others and there experiences can help us see things in a different light. One which we may or not value. But hearing them out is useful nonetheless. Even if to highlight what we don’t want to do or a path we don’t want to take. Therefore, in a world where we seem to mistrust our gut. But wholehearted trust may be a step too far. I can only conclude that we should adjust our gut. Make it one of the many voices we consider and feel comfortable allowing it to win out at times. You never know, sometimes it probably does know best!
What do you think about trusting your gut? Do you find it easy to do? Or not? Why wouldn’t you trust your gut? As always, let us know below!
I’m all for trusting my gut in most decisions, but sometimes I have to go with my head on others, a great post! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Agreed. Sometimes the brain needs to cut through all the emotions!
I enjoyed reading your reflection on going with our gut. Life became easier when I tapped into the power of intuition. In the beginning, I found it hard sometimes to distinguish between intuition and fear, but with time I learned that intuition is a soft, soothing nudge. It’s up to us to make the most of it by engaging logic too. Good reason results from marrying the two 😊 Thank you for sharing, loved reading your thoughts!
Thanks Vanessa. I think of it as giving us a gentle nudge in the right direction. It is normally trying to tell us something that we’re not attuned to.
Great post. I try to trust my gut as much as possible. It is usually the best decision for me. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Charlie. I’m glad this resonated with you.
I think so many people mistrust their intuition on things; I have always stuck with mine and it has become a really valuable resource. It does depend what the situation is because sometimes our gut reaction can be an ill-informed fear-based response (so that’s where knowledge and using our head comes in). Generally, my gut has never been wrong about people or situations I find myself in (I become hyper aware of things) and in other scenarios where I have to make a decision that’s when logic and reason tend to kick in. A balance of all these things is always useful! Great post.
Thanks Molly! I definitely have wished I’d trusted my gut more on certain occasions. I’m an advocate for the balanced approach!
I trust my guts. But sometimes I also have to use my brain to make decisions.
Sounds like a good combination!