What is intuition? Plus, how to use it to make better decisions

Personal Growth

May 19

Written By Calm Editorial Team

Clinically reviewed by Dr. Chris Mosunic, PhD, RD, MBA

When you’re unsure and don’t know what to do, sometimes all you can do is go with your gut. Learn what intuition is, and 9 ways to reconnect with your inner guide.

We’ve experienced that mysterious inner voice, the one that nudges you without warning, pushes you toward something that feels right, or tugs you back when something feels off. That is intuition. And whether you think of it as a secret superpower or something you only hear once in a while, it’s always there.

For some of us, intuition shows up regularly and often, guiding us in the right direction and steering us away from the wrong ones. For others, our intuition is the annoying inner chatter we dismiss until we’ve already walked straight into the thing we knew we should’ve avoided.

Either way, it’s not a mystical gift for the enlightened few. It’s part of your wiring.

Let’s explore intuition and what it is, how it works, and, most importantly, how to tune back in and trust it again. Because that little voice usually knows what’s up before your brain gets the memo. And that’s something worth paying attention to.

What is intuition?

Intuition is that quick, quiet knowing that doesn’t come from hours of analysis but simply from a place of feeling. As it turns out, science backs that up. Neuroscientists describe intuition as rapid, subconscious, pattern-based processing.

In fact, studies suggest that most of our decisions happen below the surface. They’re driven by this fast-track system that recognizes familiar cues and results almost instantly. Your brain, like the overachiever it is, quietly sorts through memories, emotions, and past learnings, then delivers a signal that comes directly from the gut: This feels safe, this feels off, this feels dangerous, etc.

And intuition doesn’t just live in your head; it also lives in your body and manifests as butterflies in your stomach or a sudden wave of calm. Research has even linked intuitive decision-making to measurable physical cues, like heart rate, especially when a decision feels right before your brain has caught up.

So, why do so many of us ignore our intuition (or don’t know how to feel it in the first place)? We can likely blame our culture of overthinking and external validation. We were taught to prove, not to feel. If you’ve ever had a hunch that turned out to be spot-on, that was your intuition. And it’s not magic. It’s you, deeply and instinctively tuned in.

5 examples of intuition in action

Intuition often shows up as a quiet nudge or a strange feeling. It’s subtle, but if you start noticing the signs, you’ll realize it’s been whispering to you all along.

Here are five everyday ways your intuition might be trying to get your attention:

You feel weird walking into a room or certain spaces: Nothing obvious is wrong, but your body tenses, due to your gut picking up on subtle cues before your brain catches up.
You get a bad feeling about someone (and you’re right): You can’t explain it, but something is off. Later, they confirm your suspicion.
You make a random choice that works out perfectly: You take a different route or stop somewhere spontaneously, because something is just telling you to, and it ends up being exactly what you needed.
You reach out to someone at the perfect moment: That sudden urge to check in with someone may often be because they really did need you. It could be a coincidence, or it could be intuition.
You know something is off (even when life looks fine): Everything on the surface seems okay, but something deep down doesn’t feel aligned. This is often a sign of your gut asking for a course correction.

Intuition vs logic: What’s the difference?

Logic is essential. It’s structured, systematic, and likes its facts triple-checked. Logic wants evidence and timelines, and to analyze every situation from every angle. You can think of logic as speaking the lanaguage of the brain.

Intuition, on the other hand, speaks the language of the body. It is felt, not reasoned, like the feeling in your chest, the shiver down your spine, and the instinct that something isn’t right that kicks in long before your brain even notices. Intuition bypasses the data and drops you into a knowing that doesn’t always make sense but often turns out to be right.

Why they’re better together

You don’t have to choose between logic and intuition. You’re allowed to use both. In fact, the most grounded, clear-headed decisions often come when intuition and logic team up.

Example:

Logic says: Based on your budget and commute time, this job makes sense.
Intuition says: But you’re already exhausted just thinking about it.
The ideal outcome: A job that makes sense all around and feels good in your gut.

The key is knowing when to lead with logic and when to let your gut take the wheel. Logic is great when you need to solve a math problem or compare cell phone plans. But when you’re choosing a partner, a therapist, or whether to leave a city that no longer feels like home? That’s intuition territory. Your spreadsheet doesn’t know how your body feels walking into that apartment. But your gut does.

So, don’t treat intuition and logic like they’re rivals, because they’re not. They’re just different tools. Use both. Trust both. Let them complement each other instead of competing.

How to trust your gut: 9 tips to help you make more aligned decisions

Tuning into your intuition takes patience, consistency, and a little time for decoding. But once you learn how to read the signals, you’ve got yourself a lifelong wingperson who always has your back.

Here are nine ways to get better at trusting your gut.

1. Slow down long enough to hear it

Intuition is subtle. If your brain is running on overdrive with 42 tabs open, your gut doesn’t stand a chance of being heard.

Try this: Before making a decision, take five deep breaths. Put your hand on your chest or belly and feel the rise and fall of your breath. You need to be in tune with your body in order to feel its guidance.

2. Notice how your body reacts

The body doesn’t lie, even when your mind is deep in “what if” purgatory. Intuition often speaks through physical cues like a tight chest, frazzled nerves, a warm glow, or a stomach drop. Get curious about how different situations feel, not just how they look on paper.

Try this: Next time you get a weird vibe about someone, pause, and ask yourself what’s happening in your body. Are your shoulders creeping up? Is your jaw tense from stress? Pay attention to the physical signs.

💙 Take a moment to Pause and Check-in with how your body and mind are feeling in this short session.

3. Differentiate between fear and intuition

Knowing what’s fear and what’s intuition can be tricky. Fear is loud and panicked, while intuition is calm. Fear screams. Intuition nudges. Fear catastrophizes. Intuition just kind of knows.

Try this: Ask yourself, “Is this feeling grounded or anxious?” If it’s frantic, that’s probably fear. If it’s firm but gentle, even if it’s uncomfortable, it likely means it’s your gut.

4. Give yourself time (when you can)

Making quick decisions isn’t always intuitive. It’s often reactive. If you can buy yourself time before deciding, do it. Give your inner knowing time to come to a conclusion without pressure.

Pro tip: If your first reaction is “I don’t know,” that’s okay. Your intuition may be indicating you need more time or information to make a decision.

5. Start with low-stakes decisions

You don’t have to test your intuition through big, life-altering decisions. Instead of asking yourself if you should make a career change, simply check in and see what you’d like to have for lunch. Tiny, everyday decisions are a great training ground.

Try this: At a restaurant, close your eyes and tune into your body to see what you feel like eating. Then, pick the dish that feels right, order it, and don’t overthink it.

(Now, if you are planning to quit your job, here are some ways you can resign mindfully.)

6. Pay attention to patterns in hindsight

Have you ever made a decision that felt so right, and it turned out great? Or ignored your gut and watched a situation implode in slow motion? Start tracking those moments. Your intuition leaves breadcrumbs. Follow them.

Try this: Keep a note on your phone where you record these occurrences. Write down the times when your gut said one thing and reality confirmed it later.

7. Get quiet (within reason)

Meditation can help with tuning into your inner self, yes, but you don’t have to obsess over it. Sometimes, a five-minute walk without your phone or a shower without a playlist is enough to reconnect with yourself.

Try this: Make space for time away from your phone, TV, and the internet in general. No scrolling, no chatting, just you and your thoughts. Let your intuition have some airtime.

💙 Explore the importance of Silence in getting to know yourself with this meditation practice from the Daily Calm.

8. Ask your future self

When you’re stuck, fast-forward. Imagine yourself six months from now looking back. What decision would make you proud? What choice feels like alignment, and not just comfort?

Try this: “Will I be glad I did this, or will I regret that I didn’t?” Your intuition often hides in your imagined future. Follow it.

9. Trust that it’s okay to get it “wrong”

Let’s drop the pressure. Your intuition won’t always lead you to perfect outcomes, but it will lead you to growth, truth, and clarity. That’s the real win. And the more you use it, the stronger it gets.

Reminder: Messing up doesn’t mean you can’t trust yourself. It just means you’re learning. Intuition doesn’t guarantee comfort — it guides you toward what matters.

What is intuition FAQs

What does it mean when someone’s intuitive?

When someone is described as “intuitive,” it usually means they have a knack for reading a situation, sensing what’s unsaid, or making decisions that just click, even when the logic isn’t all there yet. They’re often the friend who can walk into a room and pick up on the mood before anyone says a word. They trust their gut, notice patterns others miss, and aren’t afraid to follow a feeling, even if it isn’t rational.

But being intuitive isn’t a rare personality trait or a spiritual badge. It’s a muscle we all have. Some people just use it more often.

What is intuitive eating?

Intuitive eating is like the self-compassionate rebellion against diet culture. It’s the practice of eating based on your body’s internal cues—like hunger, fullness, and satisfaction—rather than following rigid food rules or moralizing every bite.

It’s about tuning into what your body actually wants and learning to trust yourself again. That means no guilt, no “bad” foods, and no need to earn your meals. It’s not about eating whatever, whenever, all the time, but about building a respectful, flexible, shame-free relationship with food and your body.

Can intuition be developed, or is it something you’re born with?

You’re absolutely born with intuition, but whether it thrives or shrivels depends on how often you use it. Think of intuition like a sense you can sharpen over time. Kids are often naturally intuitive, until the world teaches them to override their instincts in favor of “shoulds” and “have-tos.”

But the good news? You can always come back to it. By slowing down, paying attention to how things feel in your body, and reflecting on past decisions, you can train yourself to hear your intuition more clearly and trust it more deeply. It’s a skill, not a superpower. And it’s 100% available to you.

Can following your intuition be bad for you?

Sometimes what feels like intuition is actually fear, anxiety, or trauma dressed up in fancy clothes. That’s why it’s important to get familiar with how your intuition speaks. True intuition is calm, grounded, and often quiet. It doesn’t come from panic, pressure, or avoidance. It won’t tell you to run from everything that’s hard, but it will tell you when something is out of alignment.

If your “gut feeling” always leads to avoidance, chaos, or regret, it might be worth exploring whether your nervous system is driving the show. Intuition is wise, but it works best when it’s paired with self-awareness and a little healing. Check out these 12 tips to help regulate your nervous system.

Can intuition help with my creativity?

Intuition is creativity’s ride-or-die. That flash of inspiration, the idea that hits in the shower, the impulse to try something new just because it feels right? That’s intuition doing her thing. When you create from a place of intuition, you’re letting go of the pressure to get it right and instead following what feels exciting, curious, or meaningful.

Whether you’re painting, writing, or problem-solving, intuition opens the door to innovation and authenticity. Basically, if creativity is the fire, intuition is the spark. Learn more about the seven benefits of creativity and easy ways to become more creative.

Calm your mind. Change your life.

Mental health is hard. Getting support doesn't have to be. The Calm app puts the tools to feel better in your back pocket, with personalized content to manage stress and anxiety, get better sleep, and feel more present in your life.

intuition

Calm Editorial Team