They say we all have guardian angels. Or maybe it’s a higher power watching over us. Maybe it’s just a deep, inner knowing—our intuition—guiding us toward what’s best. But what happens when we ignore it?
I’ve always struggled with trusting myself. I second-guess my decisions, dismiss my gut feelings, and convince myself that I must be wrong. But recently, I learned the hard way that my intuition was right all along.
The Warning Signs I Ignored
I work the third shift in a skilled nursing home. Or, I should say, worked. It wasn’t a job I enjoyed, but it paid more, and as a struggling single mom, that was reason enough to stay. I rarely ever called off because I simply couldn’t afford to miss a night. But something felt different about this night.
From the moment I woke up, I felt off. I had a horrible migraine—the worst I’d ever experienced. My stomach was in knots, and I felt completely drained. I almost called off. Every part of me was screaming that I should call off. But then the practical, fearful voice took over: You can’t afford to miss work. Just push through.
So I ignored my intuition. I took some Tylenol, wiped away my tears, and dragged myself to work.
The Consequences of Not Listening to My Inner Voice
The night went downhill fast. I got into an argument with a couple of the other nurses—something that rarely ever happens. One thing led to another, and before I knew it, I was fired. Just like that, I had no job. No income. Nothing.
The moment it happened, I felt sheer panic. How am I going to pay my bills? How will I support my child? I had only recently started building my emergency fund, and I barely had a couple hundred dollars saved. Even if I found a new job immediately, I’d still have weeks before my first paycheck.
But beneath the fear, there was something else—a strange sense of relief. Because the truth is, I hated that job. It drained me emotionally and physically. Maybe my intuition wasn’t just warning me about a bad night—it was trying to steer me away from a place that wasn’t meant for me.
Common Intuition Blockers for Single Moms
As single moms, we face unique challenges that can make it especially hard to hear—or trust—our intuition. I’ve realized that so many of us silence that inner voice because of:
- Financial pressure—just like I did that night. When every dollar matters and you’re the only provider, it’s terrifyingly easy to override your gut feelings for financial security. Bills don’t pay themselves, right? But ignoring our intuition for money often costs us more in the long run.
- Others’ expectations and opinions flood our minds constantly. Family members telling us what we should do. Friends offering well-meaning but sometimes misguided advice. Society’s judgments about single motherhood. These external voices can become so loud that they drown out our own inner knowing.
- Guilt about putting ourselves first—this is a big one. We’re so used to considering our children’s needs first (as we should) that we sometimes forget to honor our own inner wisdom. We might feel selfish for following a gut feeling that puts our needs in the spotlight, even temporarily.
- Fear of making mistakes when we’re the only decision-maker haunts many of us. Without a partner to bounce ideas off of, the weight of every choice falls on our shoulders. This pressure can make us second-guess our intuitive hits and seek excessive outside validation.
The Mother’s Intuition Connection
Being a mother actually enhances our intuitive abilities. That natural protective instinct we have for our children? It’s not just basic parenting—it’s our intuition working overtime.
Since becoming a mom, I’ve had strong gut feelings about my children—like knowing they were getting sick before any symptoms appeared or suddenly feeling the urge to check on them in the middle of the night and finding they needed me.
The tricky part is distinguishing between normal parental worry and genuine intuition. Worry tends to spiral into worst-case scenarios, making us anxious and scattered. Intuition, on the other hand, feels clear and specific. It’s a focused sense of knowing what action to take.
This mother’s intuition doesn’t just protect our kids—it helps guide our entire family toward what’s best. When we tune in to it, we make better decisions for both our children and ourselves. It’s like an internal compass that considers the bigger picture.
Learning to Trust Myself
If I could go back, I would have listened. Missing one night of work would have been better than losing my job altogether. I didn’t know what was going to happen that night, but I think my intuition did know.
For so long, I’ve ignored that little voice inside me. I’ve doubted myself because of my low self-esteem, assuming that my instincts were wrong. But now, I’m starting to see that my intuition has always been there, trying to guide me. I just haven’t trusted it. Until now.
How to Strengthen and Trust Your Intuition
If you struggle with trusting yourself like I have, here are some ways to strengthen your intuition and start making decisions with more confidence:
1. Recognize the Physical Signs
Intuition often speaks to us through physical sensations—tightness in the chest, a gut feeling, or even unexplained headaches. Start paying attention to these signals when making decisions.
2. Practice Mindfulness and Stillness
When life is noisy, it’s easy to ignore our inner voice. Taking time to sit in silence, meditate, or journal can help you tune in to what your intuition is telling you.
3. Reflect on Past Experiences
Think back to times when you followed your gut instinct and things worked out—or when you ignored it and faced consequences. This reflection can reinforce your trust in your inner voice.
4. Start with Small Decisions
Building trust in yourself doesn’t have to start with life-changing choices. Try listening to your intuition on small things—choosing a route home, deciding what to eat, or even picking a book to read. Strengthening that trust in small ways makes it easier when bigger decisions arise.
5. Write It Down
Keep an intuition journal where you note gut feelings, dreams, or signs that stood out to you. Over time, you may start noticing patterns that confirm your instincts were right.
6. Let Go of Fear and Self-Doubt
Many times, we ignore our intuition because we’re afraid of being wrong. But even if things don’t go as expected, trusting yourself is a skill worth developing. With practice, it becomes easier.
A Lesson for Anyone Who Doubts Themselves
I don’t know what the future holds, and I’m terrified about what’s next. But I do know this: From now on, I will listen to that little voice inside me. I will trust that I know what’s best for me. And I hope you will, too.
Have you ever ignored your intuition and regretted it? Or have you trusted it and seen it lead you in the right direction? I’d love to hear your story in the comments below.
For more tips on when to trust your intuition, Very Well Mind has a good article. https://www.verywellmind.com/when-to-trust-your-intuition-7481322
Being in tune with our mental wellbeing is crucial for every mom. If you found this article about intuition helpful, I invite you to explore my other tips for emotional wellness. 👉 Mental Health
And stay tuned – I’m working on a guide to help you and your little ones beat those winter blues and cabin fever! Want to make sure you don’t miss any upcoming mental health resources and tips?
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