Emotion or Intuition – What’s the Difference?

Emotion or Intuition - What's the Difference?

Have you ever confused your emotional responses with intuition?

I have. However, emotion and intuition are actually quite different, and I think the differences are important.

Emotions

Emotions, as you have likely experienced, are feeling based reactions either to something external, or even to our own thoughts. They can be quite intense, sometimes urgent and definitely impacted by our moods, thinking, biases and physiology. When ungrounded, or not combined with considered thought, emotions can sometimes have us making decisions, or behaving in ways we are less comfortable with. We absolutely need to notice, experience and consider our emotions, but we don’t want to confuse them with intuition.

Intuition

So, what is intuition? Intuition can be described as a sense of knowing something instinctively, without conscious reasoning or explanation. It’s often called ‘gut feeling’. Intuition may feel calm, quiet, or even neutral and often provides a sense of deep knowing. It might feel more like a clear insight, or a pull (gentle or stronger) which leads to a sense of alignment and clarity.

We all have our own way to know the difference

You will have your own way of knowing the difference between an emotional response and intuition. For me, while intuition can sometimes lead me to a quick response, I’ve learned it works best for me to allow my emotions to settle and to notice what remains. It’s like allowing the water to settle in a pond after it’s been disturbed. The ripples are the emotions that can obscure the message. Intuition is the clarity after the ripples settle. 

How do you know the difference?

Warmly,

Laurenne

Laurenne Di Salvo
Coach (PCC) | Clinical Hypnotherapist | Facilitator
0413 776564
www.harvestcoaching.com.au

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