Reclaiming Your Intuition

Have You Lost Touch with Your Intuition?

At some point in our lives, most of us have been in a relationship—whether with a parent, partner, friend, or authority figure—where someone claimed to know what was best for us. They spoke with certainty, overriding our own thoughts and feelings, convincing us that their way was the right way.

Over time, we began to internalize this and second-guess ourselves. This, in turn, created the cycle of approval- and validation-seeking from others. Instead of confidently making decisions, we turn to others for guidance, seeking validation in their opinions. We ask multiple friends the same question, hoping to reach a collective consensus that confirms or denies what we already feel deep inside. But why do we do this? Why do we let external voices drown out our inner one?

The Breakdown of Intuition: How We Lose Our Inner Voice

The erosion of self-trust often starts with external authority figures who dictate what we “should” do. This can come from parents, teachers, bosses, or even friends who micromanage our lives under the guise of looking out for us. Sometimes, this loss of autonomy extends beyond direct control—it seeps into how we form our identity.

Think about a time when you adopted a hobby, interest, or fandom, not because you truly loved it, but because a friend was passionate about it. At first, it might have seemed like harmless bonding. But when imitation turns into losing your own identity—when you become a carbon copy of someone else—you've lost a crucial part of yourself.

We do this because we seek connection. In an effort to feel a sense of belonging, we align our tastes, decisions, and preferences with those around us. But at what cost? When we lose our own sense of self, we also lose the ability to recognize and trust our own intuition.

The Digital Disconnect: Constant Connection, But Not to Ourselves

Another reason many of us struggle to hear our intuition is the hyper-connectivity of modern life. At any moment, we can check social media, message a friend, or look up advice online. We don’t sit with our own thoughts long enough to form clear decisions. Instead, we outsource our inner knowing to Google, Instagram polls, and group chats.

When was the last time you made a decision without asking someone else’s opinion first?

Rebuilding trust with your intuition starts with intentional disconnection—not from people, but from the constant noise that keeps you from hearing yourself.

How to Reclaim and Strengthen Your Intuition

If you feel disconnected from your inner voice, here are some steps to help you rebuild that trust:

1. Start Small– Instead of crowd-sourcing opinions, try making small decisions without external input. What do you want for dinner? What’s your first impression of a situation? Trust those gut instincts.
2. Sit With Your Thoughts – Create space for silence. Whether through journaling, meditation, or simply going on a walk without distractions, give your intuition the space to be heard.
3. Recognize Patterns– When you ask for advice, notice if you’re seeking confirmation rather than actual guidance. If you already know what you want, honor that feeling instead of looking for external validation.
4. Release the Fear of Being Wrong– Sometimes, we don’t trust ourselves because we fear making the wrong decision. But mistakes are part of growth. The more you trust yourself, the more you learn from your experiences.
5. Unplug and Reflect – Limit how often you seek external input. Take breaks from social media, and notice how your thoughts feel when they aren’t influenced by other people’s opinions.

Trusting your intuition isn’t about getting it right 100% of the time—it’s about reclaiming the ability to trust yourself, even when the world tries to tell you otherwise.