Have you ever had that “spidey sense” kick in when something doesn’t feel quite right? Or found yourself saying yes to an opportunity without fully thinking it through? These gut feelings are more common than you might think, and learning when to trust them can be a valuable life skill.
What Are Gut Instincts?
According to psychotherapist Sophie Scott, intuition is “a feeling that might be experienced as a profound certainty, a clear, calm knowing.” It’s that immediate sense that guides us before our logical mind has time to process all the details.
Four Types of Decision-Makers
Most people fall into one of four categories when it comes to following their instincts:
1. Gut Feelings Control You
You make decisions quickly based on immediate feelings. While this can lead to exciting opportunities, be cautious about basing every major life choice on intuition alone. Big decisions like relocating for a job or jumping into relationships benefit from some practical thinking.
2. Logic Leads Your Decision-Making
You carefully research and analyze before making choices. This approach works well for complex decisions, but don’t completely ignore those gut feelings—they often contain valuable information your conscious mind hasn’t processed yet.
3. Head and Heart in Conflict
You feel torn between what makes logical sense and what feels right emotionally. This internal conflict is normal and often indicates you need more information or time to make the right choice.
4. You Ignore Strong Feelings
You consistently push aside your instincts, even when they’re trying to tell you something important. Learning to acknowledge these feelings—even if you don’t always act on them—can provide valuable insights.
When to Trust Your Gut
Trust your instincts when:
- Something feels “off” about a person or situation
- You have a strong positive feeling about an opportunity
- Your safety might be at risk
- You’re dealing with interpersonal relationships
Use logic when:
- Making major financial decisions
- Planning long-term commitments
- Considering career changes
- Dealing with health concerns
Finding the Right Balance
The key isn’t choosing between head and heart, but learning to integrate both. As Sophie Scott suggests, “When making any major life decision, it’s a good idea to ‘feed your gut’ with lots of real-life data first.”
Sometimes what we think is intuition might simply be excitement, fear, or wishful thinking. The most effective approach combines the rapid processing power of our subconscious mind with the analytical capabilities of our rational thinking.
Pro tip: When facing important decisions, gather information, consider the practical implications, but also pay attention to how different options make you feel. Your best choices often emerge when both your head and heart are aligned.
Reference: Content adapted from “When to Trust Your Instincts” quiz and expert advice featuring psychotherapist Sophie Scott. Original source material includes decision-making scenarios and personality assessment framework for understanding intuitive vs. logical decision-making styles.