Part 1: Trust Your Instincts

When taking a test, how many of you change some of your answers upon review of the test? When you come out of the test and think about those questions how do you feel? Typically, doubt is the emotion that comes to mind. You doubt if the newly circled answer was right; and with that you doubt if your initial choice was even correct. Imagine a life of making decisions only to doubt them thereafter by second-guessing them.

"Second-guessing" choices isn't necessarily a bad thing. It is essentially a form of reflection and review, which is important in honing your skills in any avenue of life. Where the issue with this is that we often second-guess our choices with the "Other" as our lens.

When walking you trust that your instincts will put each foot in front of the other in the correct manner. When your autonomic mind controls your movement, very rarely do you make a mistake.

When driving you aren't typically thinking about how to specifically operate your hands, rather they just operate themselves. When making turns, lane changes, and the like, your mind quickly makes the calculation of whether your directive is a safe one. Very rarely do you make a decision and then do the complete opposite; anecdotally I believe that it is when people hesitate to follow their instincts do they get into accidents (obviously not fact, but I'm sure many of you agree).

And for those of you that play instruments: don't you typically find that you make mistakes when you're consciously thinking about what you're doing. Personally when I play the drums, I keep the best flow when just letting my body take me where it wants to go next.


My life became easier when I began to trust my instincts. When presented with a problem, the first thought that comes to my head is deemed my solution. When in conversation, the first thing that comes to my mind is my response. When taking a test, the first answer I circle is the one I stick with (and when I deviate from this, I typically regret it).

I've seen two benefits from this lifestyle.

The first is that I have less anxiety. When I trust and follow my instincts, I feel as if I am remaining transparent to myself. I never feel like I engage in activities beyond my means, I never feel like I am being false to others, and perhaps the best benefit: I no longer remain awake at night wondering "was that really the right thing to say/do/feel?".

The second benefit, which is a bit anecdotal, is that I've seen better outcomes in my life. I've seen better success in school, the workplace, and personal relationships. Perhaps this could be confounded by the fact that when you trust your instincts you're a more confident being but hey the benefit is there regardless.

I've been purposefully vague with how it has changed my life because this is up to you to see. It's your life, effects will vary.


So it's up to you. If you're finding yourself imprisoned by anxiety and are unsure about a major decision you have to make, just trust your instincts. Close your eyes, block everything out, and query yourself. And in that moment you're done asking yourself that question, write down the first thought/answer/idea that comes to your head. I have an inkling that if you pursue that avenue, things will work out fine.


Next time I'll be looking into the concept of Relapse.


Best of luck.