How do I know if it's my intuition or fears speaking?
Intuition vs. old fears – two completely different inner voices
Most of us have at some point faced a choice and felt:
“I don't know if I feel right – or if I'm "just" scared.”
It's one of the hardest inner boundaries to learn. Because fear and intuition can sometimes sound surprisingly similar. Both want our attention. Both can feel powerful. But they come from completely different places within us.
The language of intuition
Intuition is the intelligence of the soul. It is direct and clear. It needs no proof. Intuition is often quiet. It makes no long-lasting fuss. It does not need to convince, explain or exaggerate. It is just there as a clear sense of direction. Sometimes it is soft, sometimes firm with brief body sensations - but it is rarely chaotic.
When we listen to our intuition, decisions can feel serious while the body experiences a kind of inner order. There is a tone of clarity, even when what we are facing is difficult.
The language of fear
Fears come from the memory of the nervous system – not from the present. Fears carry memories of past experiences – things that have hurt, felt threatening or were too unsafe to bear at that time. Their job is to protect us. The problem is that they often protect us from things that are usually no longer dangerous.
Fear speaks quickly. It piles up arguments, paints future scenarios and wants to make us act immediately. It creates a chaotic tension in the body that can last a long time and narrows our inner world. Thoughts go in circles and a lot revolves around what could go wrong.
When fear borrows the voice of intuition
It is common for fear to take on the language of intuition. Especially in people who have carried a lot of responsibility, have had to be vigilant, or have learned early on to anticipate risks. In such cases, the protection system can become very sophisticated.
This doesn't mean that intuition is weak. It just means that it has long had to coexist with a very strong survival system.
What happens in the body
- Intuition correlates with balance in the nervous system (parasympathetic mode)
- Fear activates the amygdala (threat center) and the stress system
Thus:
- Intuition = regulated system
- Fear = survival reaction
It's not about "spiritual vs. psychological" – it's the same system , seen from two sides.
Learning the difference
Distinguishing intuition from fear is not a technique you master in a week. It is a relationship built with care, experience, and self-respect. Sometimes we get it wrong. Sometimes they get mixed up. It is a natural part of learning.
The important thing is not to always choose “right,” but that we slowly learn to listen in a way that feels more true to ourselves.
We carry both wisdom and protection within us. When they are given their rightful places, they can begin to cooperate – instead of pulling us in different directions.
A way to distinguish intuition and fear
When a feeling, impulse or thought arises, you can ask yourself 5 concrete questions:
1. Is this quiet or busy?
- Intuition = still
- Fear = urgency
2. Do I shrink or expand when I feel this?
- Intuition = expands, even if it's uncomfortable
- Fear = shrinks
3. Does this need to convince me with arguments?
- Intuition = doesn't need to explain itself
- Fear = produces long reasoning
4. Is this coming from the present – or from an old memory?
- Intuition = here and now
- Fear = then and there
5. If I remove all the “what ifs” – what is left?
What remains when the “what if” voices fall silent is almost always intuition.
An important key to remember
Intuition doesn't always feel kind, safe, and gentle. It can be:
- Determined
- Boundary
- Unexpected
- Radical
The important difference, however, is - intuition can actually be sharp but never hysterical .
An opportunity to practice
When you are faced with a decision:
- Place a hand on your chest.
- Say quietly: “If this is fear – show it to me in your body.” Wait 10 seconds.
- Then say: “If this is my intuition – show it to me in the body.” Wait 10 seconds.
The difference in body response is often clear , even when it can be subtle. It can take time to find your way back to that responsiveness, especially if you have had to be more alert than dormant for a long time. But every time you stop and listen for a little while, you deepen that connection again. There is no rush. You are already on your way ❤️
Hugs, Christine
© by HerMine's
Last updated December 2, 2025
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