Trusting the First Instinct: Learning to Follow Your Gut
Have you ever had a gut feeling about something — an initial instinct — and then talked yourself out of it… only to later realize you should have trusted that first impression?
Maybe it was about a person you met.
Or a choice you were considering.
Or even something as small as which route to take home.
This is an experience most of us can relate to — and it highlights one of the most powerful and accessible ways intuition speaks to us: the first instinct.
Let’s explore why your first instinct is often the most aligned with your inner wisdom, how it works on both a biological and intuitive level, and simple ways to practice trusting it — so you can make more confident, authentic decisions.
The Science Behind the First Instinct
Your first instinct is not random. It’s the product of an elegant system your brain and body have evolved to help you navigate life intuitively.
Scientists studying decision-making have identified two key systems:
1. The Fast, Intuitive System
This is where your first instinct comes from. It’s subconscious, lightning-quick, and based on patterns your brain has absorbed from years of experience. It taps into subtle cues, emotional intelligence, and intuitive wisdom that bypass the slower, analytical mind.
2. The Slow, Analytical System
This is your reasoning mind — the part that analyzes, compares, and debates. It’s valuable for complex decisions, but it can also lead to overthinking and second-guessing.
When you get a gut feeling — an initial hunch or intuitive sense — it arises from that fast system. It’s your body and intuition speaking before fear or analysis can interfere.
But here’s the challenge: once the slower system kicks in, we start doubting ourselves. We think:
"Is this logical?"
"What will others think?"
"What if I’m wrong?"
And in doing so, we often lose the clarity of that original intuitive knowing.
Why Trusting Your First Instinct Matters
Learning to recognize and honor your first instinct brings powerful benefits, both internally and in the quality of your decisions.
1. It Reduces Overthinking
Decision fatigue is one of the biggest stressors of modern life. By trusting your first instinct, you bypass much of that exhausting over-analysis and move from “what if” paralysis to clear, aligned action.
2. It Builds Self-Trust
Every time you follow your gut and it serves you well, you strengthen trust in yourself. Self-trust is the foundation for living intuitively and with confidence.
3. It Aligns You With Your True Self
Your first instinct reflects your deepest values and intuitive wisdom — before outside opinions can interfere. Honoring it means choosing in alignment with who you really are.
4. It Conserves Energy
Instead of draining yourself by weighing every option endlessly, you can trust that inner “yes” or “no” and move forward with more ease.
What Causes Us to Doubt Our Instincts?
If first instincts are so valuable, why do so many of us override them? Common reasons include:
– Fear of Being Wrong: Intuition speaks in feelings, not facts, and that uncertainty can feel risky.
– Desire for Validation: We look to others for approval, doubting our inner voice in favor of external opinions.
– Over-Reliance on Logic: We’ve been conditioned to value data over intuition, even when gut feelings hold wisdom.
– Perfectionism: We chase the “perfect” choice and end up spinning in circles, missing the clarity of our first instinct.
How to Practice Trusting Your First Instinct
Fortunately, trusting your gut is a skill that strengthens with practice. Here’s a simple exercise:
Step 1: Pause and Breathe
When faced with a decision, pause. Take a slow, deep breath. This quiets the mental noise.
Step 2: Notice Your First Reaction
Ask yourself: “What is my gut telling me?”
Don’t analyze. Don’t argue. Just notice the first feeling or thought that arises.
Step 3: Tune Into Your Body
Your body often signals alignment or misalignment.
– Lightness, ease, openness → usually a “yes.”
– Tension, heaviness, constriction → often a “no.”
Step 4: Act on It (Even in Small Ways)
Practice on small decisions: what to eat, who to call, which route to take. Observe the outcome.
Step 5: Reflect and Learn
After acting, reflect:
– How did it feel?
– Did the outcome align?
– Did I feel empowered by trusting myself?
Each reflection strengthens the feedback loop between your intuition and conscious mind.
Common Signs of an Intuitive First Instinct
When it’s a “Yes”:
– Excitement or curiosity
– Calm or relief
– Physical warmth or openness
– Thoughts like “this feels right”
When it’s a “No”:
– Tightness in the chest or stomach
– Restlessness or hesitation
– A nagging “off” feeling
– A sense of dread or discomfort
Benefits You’ll Notice As You Practice
– Increased Confidence: Trusting yourself builds assurance.
– Faster Decisions: You’ll spend less time stuck in overthinking.
– Greater Alignment: Your choices reflect your authentic self.
– Less Stress: Freeing yourself from doubt conserves mental energy.
Real-Life Example: A Simple Choice, A Clear Instinct
Sarah had been debating a weekend writing workshop. Logic raised objections:
“What if it’s not worth it?”
“Should I save the money?”
“Will I know anyone?”
But when she paused and asked: “What is my gut telling me?” the answer was clear: Go.
She listened, attended, and not only found it inspiring but met a collaborator who opened doors for her career. Later she reflected: “If I had kept thinking, I would have talked myself out of it. Trusting my first instinct led me exactly where I needed to be.”
Final Thoughts: The Power of Trusting Your Inner Yes
At its core, trusting your first instinct is about honoring your inner wisdom. Your intuition draws from deep wells of experience and subtle perception. When you follow that first instinct, you live with greater ease, alignment, and authenticity.
Weekly Challenge
This week, notice and act on your first instinct in at least three small decisions.
– What book to pick up
– Which activity to say yes or no to
– How to spend an afternoon
Pause. Breathe. Ask your gut. Trust the first feeling that arises. Then reflect: How did it feel? What did I learn?
The more you practice, the stronger your intuitive trust becomes.
Call to Action
If this article resonated, subscribe to the Learn to Be Intuitive podcast with Derek Wolf. Each week I share practices, insights, and stories to help you:
– Strengthen your intuition
– Live with greater ease and flow
– Build deeper trust in yourself
Your inner wisdom is ready. Let’s keep exploring together.
Until next time — trust your instincts.
They already know the way.
Derek Wolf
Life speaks in patterns. Learn to read them.
By Derek Wolf | Learn to Be Intuitive
Have you ever had a gut feeling about something — an initial instinct — and then talked yourself out of it… only to later realize you should have trusted that first impression?
Maybe it was about a person you met.
Or a choice you were considering.
Or even something as small as which route to take home.
This is an experience most of us can relate to — and it highlights one of the most powerful and accessible ways intuition speaks to us: the first instinct.
Let’s explore why your first instinct is often the most aligned with your inner wisdom, how it works on both a biological and intuitive level, and simple ways to practice trusting it — so you can make more confident, authentic decisions.
The Science Behind the First Instinct
Your first instinct is not random. It’s the product of an elegant system your brain and body have evolved to help you navigate life intuitively.
Scientists studying decision-making have identified two key systems:
1. The Fast, Intuitive System
This is where your first instinct comes from. It’s subconscious, lightning-quick, and based on patterns your brain has absorbed from years of experience. It taps into subtle cues, emotional intelligence, and intuitive wisdom that bypass the slower, analytical mind.
2. The Slow, Analytical System
This is your reasoning mind — the part that analyzes, compares, and debates. It’s valuable for complex decisions, but it can also lead to overthinking and second-guessing.
When you get a gut feeling — an initial hunch or intuitive sense — it arises from that fast system. It’s your body and intuition speaking before fear or analysis can interfere.
But here’s the challenge: once the slower system kicks in, we start doubting ourselves. We think:
"Is this logical?"
"What will others think?"
"What if I’m wrong?"
And in doing so, we often lose the clarity of that original intuitive knowing.
Why Trusting Your First Instinct Matters
Learning to recognize and honor your first instinct brings powerful benefits, both internally and in the quality of your decisions.
1. It Reduces Overthinking
Decision fatigue is one of the biggest stressors of modern life. By trusting your first instinct, you bypass much of that exhausting over-analysis and move from “what if” paralysis to clear, aligned action.
2. It Builds Self-Trust
Every time you follow your gut and it serves you well, you strengthen trust in yourself. Self-trust is the foundation for living intuitively and with confidence.
3. It Aligns You With Your True Self
Your first instinct reflects your deepest values and intuitive wisdom — before outside opinions can interfere. Honoring it means choosing in alignment with who you really are.
4. It Conserves Energy
Instead of draining yourself by weighing every option endlessly, you can trust that inner “yes” or “no” and move forward with more ease.
What Causes Us to Doubt Our Instincts?
If first instincts are so valuable, why do so many of us override them? Common reasons include:
– Fear of Being Wrong: Intuition speaks in feelings, not facts, and that uncertainty can feel risky.
– Desire for Validation: We look to others for approval, doubting our inner voice in favor of external opinions.
– Over-Reliance on Logic: We’ve been conditioned to value data over intuition, even when gut feelings hold wisdom.
– Perfectionism: We chase the “perfect” choice and end up spinning in circles, missing the clarity of our first instinct.
How to Practice Trusting Your First Instinct
Fortunately, trusting your gut is a skill that strengthens with practice. Here’s a simple exercise:
Step 1: Pause and Breathe
When faced with a decision, pause. Take a slow, deep breath. This quiets the mental noise.
Step 2: Notice Your First Reaction
Ask yourself: “What is my gut telling me?”
Don’t analyze. Don’t argue. Just notice the first feeling or thought that arises.
Step 3: Tune Into Your Body
Your body often signals alignment or misalignment.
– Lightness, ease, openness → usually a “yes.”
– Tension, heaviness, constriction → often a “no.”
Step 4: Act on It (Even in Small Ways)
Practice on small decisions: what to eat, who to call, which route to take. Observe the outcome.
Step 5: Reflect and Learn
After acting, reflect:
– How did it feel?
– Did the outcome align?
– Did I feel empowered by trusting myself?
Each reflection strengthens the feedback loop between your intuition and conscious mind.
Common Signs of an Intuitive First Instinct
When it’s a “Yes”:
– Excitement or curiosity
– Calm or relief
– Physical warmth or openness
– Thoughts like “this feels right”
When it’s a “No”:
– Tightness in the chest or stomach
– Restlessness or hesitation
– A nagging “off” feeling
– A sense of dread or discomfort
Benefits You’ll Notice As You Practice
– Increased Confidence: Trusting yourself builds assurance.
– Faster Decisions: You’ll spend less time stuck in overthinking.
– Greater Alignment: Your choices reflect your authentic self.
– Less Stress: Freeing yourself from doubt conserves mental energy.
Real-Life Example: A Simple Choice, A Clear Instinct
Sarah had been debating a weekend writing workshop. Logic raised objections:
“What if it’s not worth it?”
“Should I save the money?”
“Will I know anyone?”
But when she paused and asked: “What is my gut telling me?” the answer was clear: Go.
She listened, attended, and not only found it inspiring but met a collaborator who opened doors for her career. Later she reflected: “If I had kept thinking, I would have talked myself out of it. Trusting my first instinct led me exactly where I needed to be.”
Final Thoughts: The Power of Trusting Your Inner Yes
At its core, trusting your first instinct is about honoring your inner wisdom. Your intuition draws from deep wells of experience and subtle perception. When you follow that first instinct, you live with greater ease, alignment, and authenticity.
Weekly Challenge
This week, notice and act on your first instinct in at least three small decisions.
– What book to pick up
– Which activity to say yes or no to
– How to spend an afternoon
Pause. Breathe. Ask your gut. Trust the first feeling that arises. Then reflect: How did it feel? What did I learn?
The more you practice, the stronger your intuitive trust becomes.
Call to Action
If this article resonated, subscribe to the Learn to Be Intuitive podcast with Derek Wolf. Each week I share practices, insights, and stories to help you:
– Strengthen your intuition
– Live with greater ease and flow
– Build deeper trust in yourself
Your inner wisdom is ready. Let’s keep exploring together.
Until next time — trust your instincts.
They already know the way.
Derek Wolf
Life speaks in patterns. Learn to read them.