What if We Ignore Our Intuition? (a glimpse into my personal story)

Many of us get a sign or our intuition tells us it's time for a change.

But many times we ignore it.

I experienced this when continuing past my expiration date in my last agency role.

That was 10 years ago.

After I'd helped an agency grow to acquisition as the head of global media - my former agency wanted me back.

It meant a move back to the big apple - which I'd diligently worked to leave just three years prior.

The role I was taking in NYC was a prestigious role with the potential to make even more money than I'd been making.

But I knew before my personal items even arrived at my apartment in Manhattan - that I didn't want to be back in New York City.

However, I ignored the signs...

...and sure enough, I wound up sick with an infection that traveled from a cut on my thumb from the gym, through my whole body.

I was sick enough to require IV drip antibiotics and to go out on short-term disability, just six months after moving back to NYC. The only other time I'd been out on 'short-term' disability was with maternity leave.

And the irony - the infection made my wrists sensitive to twisting or turning to use a keyboard. And my role required significant use of my laptop keyboard.

I ultimately had to have wrist surgery due to tendon tears in my wrists from the antibiotics I'd been given.

Lesson to the story: Listen to your intuition.

After the surgery, I never went back to my former agency role.

I left New York and moved back closer to family and started my own business - and I've never looked back.

Before getting sick, I remember having thoughts walking one day from the restroom back to my office - 'I wonder when my "sentence" will be up.'

I'd been wanting to leave the high-level stress and demanding hours of ad agency work for quite a while.

I'd been taking steps in the direction of leaving - just not fast enough.

My encouragement to you - from my experience - don't ignore your intuition.

Your intuition will always tell you what's true for YOU.

Our minds try to 'out talk' or 'out think' our intuition, or 'doubt' what we're feeling.

In a world dominated by logic and reason, the subtle whispers of intuition often go unheard.

Yet, our innate ability to understand or know something without conscious reasoning is a powerful tool when navigating life.

Following your intuition isn't about abandoning rational thought; it's about striking a balance between your analytical mind and your inner wisdom.

Our intuition acts like a compass. It draws upon our subconscious knowledge, accumulated experiences, and deep-seated values to provide insights that our conscious mind might overlook.

By tapping into this implicit understanding, we can make decisions that align more closely with our true desires and ultimate goals.

How can you cultivate and follow your intuition?

1. Practice mindfulness: Regular meditation or mindfulness exercises can help quiet the noise of everyday thoughts, making it easier to hear your intuitive voice.

2. Pay attention to your body: Intuition often manifests as physical sensations. Learn to recognize and interpret these bodily cues.

3. Keep a journal: Record your intuitive hunches and their outcomes. Over time, you'll develop a better understanding of your intuitive insights.

4. Create space for reflection: Allow yourself moments of solitude and stillness. Intuition often speaks in the quiet spaces between thoughts.

5. Trust the process: Building confidence in your intuition takes time. Start with small decisions and gradually work your way up to bigger decisions.

By honing your intuitive skills, you'll unlock a powerful resource for better decision-making, creativity, and personal growth.

Your intuition is uniquely yours – a special combination of your life experiences and inner wisdom.

Learning to trust and follow your intuition can prevent unnecessary anguish later.

Even if you make a decision with your 'head' that makes logical sense - always test it with your visceral gut response. That's the true test.

If anything feels "off" -- do not proceed. Reevaluate and readjust.

If something is meant to be - it will be. Trust and always listen to your gut.

Until next time,

LuRae

Be You and Be Free

p.s. If you'd like this to come straight to your inbox and to get other exclusive content, please go here.

p.s.p.s. Also join me weekly and get inspired by those who've taken the leap from their original career path on 'and then I did this' audio and video podcast.