Your inner voice is actually nothing complicated nor part of any spiritual mumbo-jumbo. Whether you call it your inner dialogue, inner self or inner voice, it is your instinct about life and people, what your ‘gut’ is telling you, and what can dictate your moral compass. Learning how to listen and trust your inner voice is easier said than done.
There are many things that stand in the way of hearing your inner voice and learning to trust what your instincts are telling you. Things like loss, grief, and anger strongly affect your ability to hear your inner voice. The voices and opinions of others can also influence us to hear something different. Sometimes fear, or the consequence of making a ‘wrong’ choice can freeze you into indecision.
How do you switch off the white noise of life to hear your inner voice so that you can make decisions that are right for you, and stay aligned with your needs? We hope these five tips help you turn up the volume on your inner voice in times of emotional need or confusion.
- It is ok to ‘feel’ an answer… not just think of an answer. Fact does not have to back everything up when it comes to your Ask yourself a question and although you cannot verbalise an answer just yet, ‘feel’ for an answer. If you have made a decision and you are uncomfortable with it, you may find it can manifest as physical symptoms such as butterflies, nausea, insomnia, or anxiety.
- Learn to quiet your mind. Meditate daily in whichever activity helps you slow down your mind and listen to your breathing. Yoga, swimming, walking, cycling, dancing while listening to music, etc. Mute the sounds of the busy world around you to just focus on a single thought at a time.
- Be mindful. Be totally present in the moment, here and now. When we are in a hurry, we often make decisions on the fly and don’t pay much attention to the feelings that result from them. If you are feeling uncomfortable with a situation or decision but don’t know why, assume there is a reason. Take the time to go through your thought processes.
- Talk to yourself. (as opposed to commonly asking for someone else’s opinion). When you have some private time, perhaps while doing some activities from No. 2 above, start an actual dialogue. No, it is not a sign you’re You’re slowing down the fleeting, flitting thoughts and you’re truly giving your own voice to the issue at hand. Go through the pros and cons, acknowledge what you are feeling, talk about the fear or risk.
- Live authentically and honestly. If you can start living your life with honesty, love, passion and commitment, you will be taking a step each day towards loving yourself The more you love yourself, the more confident you will be in listening to, and trusting your inner voice.
“There is a voice inside of you that whispers all day long, ‘I feel this is right for me, I know that this is wrong.’ No teacher, preacher, parent, friend can decide what’s right for you – just listen to the voice that speaks inside” ~ Shel Silverstein, poet
“The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.” ~ Albert Einstein
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