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Gut feelings are real, but when should you trust them? |
Gut feelings can take many forms:
- a flash of clarity
- tension or tightness in your body
- a pit in your stomach
- goosebumps
- a feeling of being at peace
- a nagging voice that you just can’t ignore
They can also look and feel a lot like anxiety or paranoia, which is probably why I have such a hard time decoding which is which. But there are some key differences to pay attention to.
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Intuition often leads you in a clear direction in the present moment, while anxious thoughts are erratic and focus on future outcomes. Gut feelings pass once you make a decision and usually leave you with a sense of relief. But anxiety lingers and makes you think twice — or 20 times — about your choice, leading you to doubt yourself and look for potential threats that may be irrational.
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Here’s a personal example for you. I recently debated signing the lease on a new apartment. The location, size, and price all aligned with my needs, the landlord was super kind, and it felt like home when I went to the showing. I even called my mom after I got in my car and said, “That’s my place! I know it.”
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I found out my application was approved 3 days later. Yay! Right? Nope. My brain immediately spiraled into every worst-case scenario and potential reason why I should say no, overpowering every positive thought and feeling beforehand. |
The dog downstairs is going to bark at all hours and ruin my life! Even though I didn’t hear it when I visited.
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The neighbors are going to throw parties and disrupt my sleep. Despite the landlord saying they’re quiet and respectful.
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I’m going to lose my job and not be able to afford the rent! Healthline, please don’t fire me.
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When I finally tuned out of my head and grounded into my body, I felt a strange sense of calm — almost a deep knowing — that I should take the leap and go for it. Yes, change is scary, which is probably what spiked my anxiety, but I decided to sign the lease, and I’ve felt excited and confident about the move ever since! Take that, anxiety.
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You may not always have enough experience or important details before making a decision. You might want to rely on your intuition for more insight in times like these:
- when you can separate it from wishful thinking
- when you need to make a quick decision
- when you’re trying to get in touch with your needs
- when you lack data (tap into your emotions!)
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As an anxious person, trusting my gut doesn’t always come naturally. I’m good at tapping into it in lower stakes situations, but I still talk through bigger decisions with my therapist or best friend to play it safe. I’m hoping I’ll get better at trusting myself with enough practice. All I know is listening to my gut hasn’t steered me wrong yet — but anxiety definitely has.
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