How to Relearn to Trust Your Intuition and Judgment?

Hey there. Reading your question made my heart sink—it feels all too familiar. Losing trust in your own intuition and judgment is like driving in thick fog, unsure which way to steer, and the panic is real. Especially with you mentioning Jackson MacKenzie—I totally get it—that usually means you've likely been through relationships or experiences that profoundly shook your self-trust.

Don't worry, this feeling isn't permanent. Your intuition hasn't vanished; it’s just been drowned out by noise—like other people’s opinions, past mistakes, or inner fears. What we need to do is turn down that volume so you can hear your inner voice again. Think of it like building a muscle: it takes time and patience, but it's absolutely achievable.

Here are some methods I’ve gathered after walking this path myself. I hope they help you:

Step 1: Switch from "Silent Mode" to "Vibrate Mode" – Practice with Small Matters First

You can't dive straight into using intuition for major life decisions—that's too much pressure. We start with trivial, low-stakes choices to give your intuition a "warm-up."

What's for lunch today? Don't overanalyze the menu for nutrition and price. Close your eyes: what's the first thing that pops into your head? Steaming ramen? A crisp salad? Go for it! Even if it’s not great, who cares? It’s just practice.
Which route to take? The GPS says Route A, but you have a hunch Route B might be smoother? If time allows, follow that feeling and take Route B. You might get stuck in traffic, or you might discover a cool little shop. The outcome isn’t the point; what matters is you "heard" your own sense.
Which movie to watch? Ignore ratings and reviews. Just look at the posters and synopses. Which one gives you "the feeling"? Go see that.

The Key: Deliberately "follow your first instinct" for these minor things, and tell yourself: "This is just practice. Whatever happens, I’m glad I chose to listen to myself."

Step 2: Give Your Intuition a "Body Signal" – Practice Mindfulness and Body Scans

Intuition often isn't a clear thought but a physical sensation. It's time to become friends with your body again.

When facing a decision—even a small one—spend 30 seconds doing a quick "body scan":

Get quiet. Take two or three deep breaths.
Imagine choosing Option A. Notice your body: Does your chest tighten? Does it feel constricting? Or do your shoulders relax, feeling light?
Now imagine choosing Option B. How does your body react? Knot in your stomach? Or a warm, flowing sensation?

Common "Intuition Signals":

"Yes" feeling: Relaxed body, expansive, feeling light, inner calm, a grounded sense of "This is right."
"No" feeling: Tension in the body, discomfort in the throat or stomach, anxiety, irritation, a feeling of resistance.

Record these physical sensations. Gradually, you’ll recognize which feeling is your "green light" and which is your "red light."

Step 3: Build Your "Intuition Database" – Keep an Intuition Journal

Our memory is tricky; it amplifies failures and makes you think, "See, I can't trust myself." So we need concrete evidence to counter that.

Get a notebook or digital note titled "My Intuition Journal." Record:

Date & Event: What happened? What decision did you need to make?
My First Instinct/Feeling Was: "I felt this person was insincere." / "I had a strong urge to attend that event."
My Final Decision Was: "I went along with it because of politeness." / "I trusted my gut and signed up."
Outcome: "They indeed caused problems later." / "I met a wonderful friend at the event."

Record it all—good outcomes and not-so-good ones. Later, when you look back, you might be surprised: "Wow, my intuition was spot on!" This "database" will become your most powerful proof for trusting yourself.

Step 4: Mute the Noise, Set Boundaries

Your intuition likely feels weak because external noise is too loud.

Identify people who make you doubt yourself: Some people (maybe from those past relationships) constantly criticize you, belittle you, or manipulate you "for your own good." Around them, your intuition "shorts out."
Set boundaries gently but firmly:
- When someone gives unwanted advice, practice saying: "Thanks, I'll consider it, but I need to go with my own feeling."
- Reduce time spent with people who drain your energy.
- Schedule intentional alone time. Only in quiet can you truly hear your own voice.

Remember: Your feelings are your reality; they don't need anyone else's approval.

Important Mindset Shifts

Give yourself permission to "mess up": Relearning to trust intuition is like learning to walk—you will stumble. So what if the feeling was "off" sometimes? What matters isn't getting it right every time, but choosing to listen every time. It's not a "mistake"; it's new data for your database, helping you fine-tune your intuition.
Tell apart "intuition" and "fear/anxiety": This is crucial.
- Intuition is usually calm, clear, and neutral. Like a wise whisper: "Take this path." It carries little emotional charge.
- Fear/Anxiety is loud, chaotic, filled with "What if...?" catastrophizing. Like a panicked person screaming in your head.
- Practicing mindfulness and deep breathing helps calm the emotional storm, letting you see the direction of the calm undercurrent (intuition).
Be gentle with yourself: Friend, please be kind to yourself. Losing confidence wasn't your fault. You're undertaking a truly brave act of self-repair. Whenever you do a small practice, give yourself a mental high five. Tell yourself: "Hey, you took another step toward yourself today. Well done."

Your intuition is like an old friend who’s always been waiting for you to come home. You might not recognize it at first—it may feel unfamiliar. But if you commit to spending just a little time with it each day, listening to what it has to say, you’ll reconnect. It’s always been there. It never left.

Wishing you find your way back to that steady, shining self.