We’ve all had “gut feelings”. Maybe you felt instantly drawn to someone new in your life, thought of a family member just before they called, or backed out of plans with friends to find out later that all you missed was a boring and excessively expensive night.
Intuition isn’t always obvious. Most of the time, it’s a whisper. And in a world filled with noise and mental chatter, it’s easy to miss.
In this post we’ll look at:
• Why intuition is so quiet.
• Real-life examples of how it shows up.
• How to tell the difference between intuition and anxiety.
• Simple daily practices to strengthen your intuition.
Photo by Tara Winstead | Pexels
Why Intuition Is Hard to Hear
Unlike anxiety or the inner critic, intuition doesn’t nag or demand. It shows up as a calm, steady knowing.
Think of it as a gentle tug at your sleeve. Something subtle, but insistent. It’s that rational voice underneath it all that remains and grounds you when you’re calm enough to listen. Intuition could try to make itself know through:
• An emotion or gut feeling.
• A gentle inner voice.
• A physical sensation in your body.
Everyday Examples of Intuition
Intuition isn’t really the embarrassingly sensationalised thing of psychics and fortune-tellers, it’s a core survival tool that now serves us in making day-to-day decisions (given that most of us don’t have to be on high alert for animal attacks anymore).
Some of the everyday ways you might notice intuition showing up for you are:
• Travel decisions: You feel drawn to book a later flight, and it turns out the earlier one gets delayed.
• Relationships: You have a “bad feeling” about someone, even though they seem perfectly fine, and later, your instincts prove right.
• Creativity: Writers, artists, and entrepreneurs often describe ideas that appear fully formed, almost out of nowhere.
Most of the time, these moments aren’t dramatic. They’re small nudges that, when followed, save time, heartache, or lead to meaningful opportunities.
When Intuition Does Shout
While intuition usually whispers, occasionally it can shout.
I was rear-ended by an HGV once. My car was so small in comparison that it spun out and my bonnet jammed underneath the truck's trailer. Seconds after I was hit (and now being down the M1), an eerily calm, crystal clear thought popped into my mind: "Do something, or you're going to die." So I braced, slammed on the brake and yanked on the steering wheel to free myself.
Incredibly, the incident was caught on CCTV that just happened to be facing in my direction the moment the accident happened. After reviewing the footage, a police officer said I must have had an angel looking over me, because I should be dead. Well, angel or intuition, I wasn't dead; I was barely injured.
Loud intuition doesn't always have to be this dramatic, though. It could be less immediate, but annoyingly persistent, like the repeated urge to call someone. And when you do call, you learn that they’re in a bad state, and you’re just the person to help.
Anxiety vs. Intuition: How to Tell the Difference
Beyond questions around what intuition actually is, and who has it (everyone), this is the question I hear most: How do I know if it’s intuition or just anxiety?
Here are four key differences:
• Tone:
◦ Intuition feels calm, clear and neutral.
◦ Anxiety feels urgent, panicky, or critical.
• Energy:
◦ Intuition gives you clarity and a sense of direction.
◦ Anxiety gives you confusion and spirals of “what ifs.”
• Bodily response:
◦ Intuition feels grounding, like a quiet yes or no.
◦ Anxiety feels tense. You might have a sinking feeling, tight chest, or shallow breath.
• Repetition:
◦ Intuition may repeat, but it won’t badger.
◦ Anxiety won’t let you rest.
A quick test: Choose a particular topic and ask yourself, “If fear wasn’t a factor, what do I quietly know to be true?” The calm answer that arises is likely intuition.
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How to Strengthen Your Intuition: 5 Daily Practices
Intuition isn’t a rare gift, it’s a natural ability we all have, and like our muscles, it strengthens with practice.
Here are four low-stakes ways to hear it more clearly:
1. Morning check-in:
Before checking your phone, ask: “What do I need/want most today?” Notice the first response that arises, and if you can incorporate it into your day, reflect on how it felt and worked out for you.
2. Body compass:
When making decisions, pause and notice how each option feels in your body. Light and expansive could mean it’s a “yes” and a heavy, constricted feeling means “no”.
3. Journalling:
Free-write for five minutes asking your intuition for guidance. Let the words flow without editing.
4. Create space for silence:
Go for a walk without headphones and eat without the distraction of a screen.
The more you practice in small ways, the easier it becomes to trust your intuition when the stakes are higher.
Ready to Go Deeper? Work with Me Through Tarot
If you’re ready to strengthen your connection to your intuition and make moves in your career, tarot can be a powerful tool.
Tarot doesn’t predict the future, it acts as a mirror, reflecting what your intuition already knows but may be struggling to articulate. Together, we’ll use the cards to uncover the guidance that’s been whispering to you. ↘️
Final Thoughts
Intuition is one of the most powerful tools you have. It’s quiet, subtle and often overlooked, but once you learn to distinguish it from anxiety and practice hearing it day-to-day, it can guide you towards choices that are authentic, grounded and powerful.
Till next time...
Amelia