The Surprising Ways to Know If It’s Fear Holding You Back or Intuition Guiding You
Simple Ways to Stop Overthinking and Start Trusting Yourself
Recently, someone asked me a question that I know so many of us have thought about:
How do you tell the difference between fear, gut feeling, and intuition?
We've all been there… going back and forth, wondering:
Is this my gut telling me no?
Or am I just scared?
Or do I just not trust myself enough?
It can feel exhausting. The more you overthink, the more stuck you feel.
For me, this question was never more real than when I was deciding to go to Australia on my own. On one hand, it felt terrifying… I had never travelled that far alone before, and the thought of stepping into the unknown brought up every insecurity I had about whether I was capable enough to do it. But in the background, there was this quiet, steady feeling… a spark of excitement, a deep knowing that this was something I was meant to do. And that’s how I started learning the difference between fear and intuition.
How to Tell the Difference
Is it my intuition? 🤔 Photo by Matheus Bertelli
1. Pay Attention to How It Feels in Your Body
Your emotions are energy. Instead of trying to "think" your way through a decision, tune into how your body responds.
Does this decision feel light, expansive, or spark a little excitement? That's usually your intuition saying, this is right for me (even if it's scary).
Does it feel heavy, tight, or like a weight in your chest? That's often a sign of misalignment—your body's way of saying, this isn't right for me right now (and that’s okay).
💡 Example: You're thinking about saying yes to a big opportunity, like signing up for a course or starting a new hobby. Even if it feels nerve-wracking, you notice a sense of curiosity pulling you forward. That's your intuition nudging you in the right direction.
On the other hand, if just thinking about it makes your stomach clench or your body tense up, that's often a signal that something isn't quite right.
2. Dig Deeper: Ask "Why?" Again and Again
Sometimes, fear and intuition can feel similar, so you need to go a little deeper. Ask yourself:
Why am I hesitating?
What am I actually afraid of?
Does this remind me of a past experience where I got hurt?
💡 Example: You're hesitant about sharing your feelings with someone.
Why am I scared? Because I'm worried they'll judge me.
Why does their judgement feel scary? Because it reminds me of a time I was rejected.
Why do I think rejection will happen again? Because I don't feel safe being vulnerable.
When you break it down, BINGO you realise that your hesitation isn't because something is truly wrong—it's because of an old fear asking to be healed.
3. Notice the Difference Between Fear and Misalignment
Not everything that scares you is bad. Sometimes, fear just means you're stepping outside your comfort zone. The trick is knowing when fear is worth pushing through and when it's a red flag.
💡 Real-life examples:
❤️ Dating: You meet someone new, and on paper, everything checks out. But every time you're with them, something feels "off," even though you can't explain why. That's intuition telling you to pay attention.
🚪 Career decisions: You get offered a great job, but every time you picture yourself there, you feel absolute dread… that's misalignment.
🎤 Public speaking: You're invited to speak at an event, and your heart races at the thought of being on stage. But underneath, there's a part of you that feels excited. That's fear—but it's the kind worth pushing through.
Trust Yourself—Your Body Already Knows
The more you practice listening to these signals, the easier it gets to trust yourself. Fear tries to keep you safe, but intuition guides you toward what's right for you. When you stop dismissing those little nudges inside, you start making choices that feel right for you… without getting stuck in the overthinking spiral.
Want to Go Deeper?
Trusting yourself starts with feeling safe in your emotions… and for many of us, that traces back to our childhood.
If you struggle with self-trust, setting boundaries, or understanding your feelings, it may be because of old patterns shaped in childhood. The Mother Connection Digital Course helps you heal those patterns, release emotional weight, and create a more peaceful, empowered relationship with both your mum, but most importantly, yourself.
Because when you feel safe in your emotions, trusting yourself becomes so much easier.
What’s Your Next Step?
Your body is always speaking to you. The key is learning how to listen.
What's your experience? Let me know in the comments! 😊
Leave a comment and let me know… I’d love to hear from you.
Coming Next: How to Stop Outsourcing Safety to Other People & Cultivate Stability from Within
If you struggle with trusting yourself, setting boundaries, or feeling stable within, it might be because you've been outsourcing your sense of safety to others. Next time, we'll talk about how to cultivate safety and stability from within—so you don't need to rely on external validation.
You’ve got this (and I’ve got you),
