Intuition is that quiet sense of knowing that seems to arrive without step-by-step reasoning. It’s often shaped by experience: your mind notices patterns and cues, even when you’re not aware of them. Intuition isn’t always right, but it’s worth listening to.
Intuition and logic work together
Intuition doesn’t have to compete with logic. Many good decisions come from using both: a gut sense to point the way, and careful thinking to check it.
Where intuition comes from
Psychology researchers suggest that intuition often draws on past experience. An experienced cook may know when a dish is ready without checking the recipe; a parent may sense when a child is unwell.
When intuition helps
Intuition can be especially helpful in familiar situations, or when you need to decide quickly. It can also alert you to feelings you haven’t yet put into words.
When to slow down
Intuition can be affected by fear, habit or bias. For big decisions, it’s wise to pause, gather information and reflect.
How to listen
- Notice your first feeling about a decision.
- Make time for quiet, so you can hear your inner sense.
- Reflect later on how your intuition guided you.
How little is enough
Next time you make a small decision, notice your first gut feeling before thinking it through.
For more, read How to increase intuition.
When you’re ready to go a little deeper, the Guides page has a guided journal for walking through change at your own pace.