What is gut instinct, and how can we use it to our advantage? This is a great question to ponder as you start to dive deep into understanding your emotions, mind, and body. We often hear the phrase “trust yourself,” yet it can feel elusive.
Take your intestines, for example. They’re connected to the back of your brain, and the bacteria in your stomach respond to subconscious awareness faster than the mind. Your gut is your second brain, and its incredible instincts are almost always correct. However, though our gut is very intelligent, it isn’t psychic.
What Are Gut Instincts?
It’s important to distinguish between gut instinct and intuition, which often are used interchangeably and misunderstood. I would say the pure instinct of the gut as the second brain acts from a primal response. It is autonomic and provides critical information to guide us instantaneously.
Intuition, on the other hand, is closely related to a deeper inner knowing without the need for conscious reasoning. I believe this is the quiet inner voice or the wiser part of self and will create a sense of calm and clarity even in the darkest moments.
In the past two decades, psychologists and neuroscientists have made enormous strides in identifying the sources of our gut instincts and their essential role in our lives. Intuition is our humanness, that is, our imagination, creativity, and curiosity about life as we are continually evolving. I believe it is more important now to tune in as AI and technology are developing so quickly. Our gut feelings and intuition can be our greatest resource.
“Instinct” only responds to what is happening in the present moment. If you believe you have an “instinct” about how a future event will unfold, you are projecting. This can be risky if we can’t distinguish between genuine gut feelings and fears or passing thoughts that don’t reflect reality. We might become stuck, assuming our feelings are accurate predictions of the future.
A good question to ask is: Are you responding to a current situation or reacting to one you envision, believing you know the outcome? Ask yourself if your feelings are based on the present circumstances or on what you hope or fear will happen in the future.
Gut Instincts vs Feelings
Instincts aren’t feelings; they are responses. For instance, if you feel drained after a challenging experience, it’s not an instinct that you are sad. Instinct is when you quickly move out of harm’s way without thinking.
Feelings, while valid, also don’t always accurately reflect reality; they mirror our thoughts, which can change. It is important to note that thoughts don’t alter our instincts. What you naturally gravitate toward or away from is your instinct guiding you. It’s about what you naturally prefer to do, not what you feel or interpret.
Using your deepest desires to craft a life you love means listening to subtle nudges and intuition that guide you toward what feels right in your “gut.” It’s a natural pull that moves you to do things even when they’re hard. Your gut instincts don’t exist to ensure you feel comfortable and happy at all hours of the day; they move you toward what you are meant to do — where interests, skills, and desires intersect. I often like to link these to your inner wisdom and heart’s desire, which come from a soulful place of purpose that is distinctly your guide.
What Are Intrusive Thoughts?
This distinction between gut instinct and feelings begs the question: what are intrusive thoughts, and how do they differ from both instinct and feelings? The best way to understand the difference is to see how they present themselves.
- An intuitive nudge is calm, whereas an intrusive thought is hectic.
- An intuitive nudge is rational and sensible, whereas an intrusive thought stems from fear and the worst-case scenario.
- An intuitive nudge comes from out of nowhere, whereas an intrusive thought is triggered by external stimuli.
- An intuitive nudge doesn’t induce fear (even when you don’t like it), whereas an intrusive thought causes a spiral of fearful thoughts that feel impossible to stop.
- An intuitive nudge is felt deeper within, whereas an intrusive thought keeps you stuck in your head.
- An intuitive nudge shows you how to respond, whereas an intrusive thought demands that you react.
Separating Genuine Insight From Fearful Projections
Instinct and fear can feel similar, but instinct is not an oracle or a predictor of the future. Feelings don’t inform you of the right decisions to make; rather, the right decisions make the right feelings. Feelings aren’t meant to navigate life; that’s the mind’s role, to intervene and discern.
Peace and joy come from regularly taking actions that foster purposeful clarity and calmness, which allows you to organize feelings and be aware of both them and the thoughts that create them. Ultimately, choices are yours to make — you can feel something without acting on it.
Instinct exists in the present moment but can be triggered by memories or fears projecting into the future. With experience, you’ll learn to differentiate between genuine instincts and projections.
It’s important to remember that our mind tends to manipulate our body to avoid future pain and seek pleasure, a function of the “reptilian” brain. This can leave us stuck if we trust every feeling instead of discerning what is really going on in the moment from projection out of fear. The first reaction is often the most accurate before second-guessing occurs.
Ready To Unlock the Secrets of Trusting Your Inner Voice?
If you’re feeling stuck in your intrusive thoughts, pausing for a few deep breaths and slowing down to recognize your needs in the moment will help stop the nagging thoughts. Stay in the moment. Ask yourself: What is true right here and now? Consider your deep gut feeling in the moment versus how your mind might craft a story and alter it afterward. True gut instinct and intuition don’t incite panic; it’s subtle and gentle, a quiet impulse — hence the term “little voice within.” I like to think of it as our wise, true Soul.
All we really have is now, in the present. Changes we make in the present are what will change our future. I am here to support you. As your coach, I can offer a fresh perspective and help you identify any patterns or behaviors that might be keeping you stuck.
Together, we can work on strategies tailored specifically for you, providing encouragement and accountability as you navigate your journey. My goal is to help you connect more deeply with your inner wisdom, learn to trust your instincts, and make empowered decisions. Let’s transform your present-moment awareness into a powerful catalyst for future growth and fulfillment. Learn more!
I believe in intuition and inspiration. Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution. It is, strictly speaking, a real factor in scientific research. – Albert Einstein
Leave a Reply