One of those words you’ll often come across in pop psychology and New Age circles is “intuition.” We hear it all the time in the social media bubble, in self-help seminars, meditation workshops, and spiritual retreats. The problem is, it’s been thrown around so much that it’s lost all its depth and meaning. It’s become a popular word, wrapped in mystery and abstraction, portrayed as a sort of magical ability—a divine gift only available to a select few (believe me, it’s not!).
This vague way of talking about intuition makes people believe it’s some sort of exclusive power, accessible only to those who are “spiritually attuned” or just plain lucky. But what if I told you that intuition is available to almost anyone? That’s right, you don’t need to be blessed or chosen to connect with it. You don’t need to be “special”. In fact, learning how intuition works is the first step to realising its practicality in everyday life.
So, let’s talk about what intuition really is.
What is intuition?
At its core, intuition is the ability to understand something instantly, without needing to think it through step by step. You know that gut feeling, that subtle nudge, or the sudden clarity that seems to come out of nowhere? That’s your intuition talking. And if you ask psychology, intuition is simply a cognitive process that lets us make decisions and solve problems based on our subconscious mind and past experiences. Understanding where intuition comes from is key to appreciating its role in decision-making.
Far from being mystical, intuition is a deeply practical tool that’s inside all of us. It offers insights and solutions when our conscious, logical minds struggle to keep up. It’s always there, just waiting for us to tune in. This is exactly how intuition helps in decision making—by providing us with insights that logic might miss, it gives us a fuller picture of the choices we face.
Julia Cameron, in her masterpiece The Artist’s Way (one of my favourite books of all time, btw!) talks a lot about intuition as an “inner wisdom.” She insists that intuition isn’t something external, and it certainly isn’t a rare gift. No, it’s already inside us, ready to be accessed at any time. She puts it simply: “about the inner wisdom, you should know that everyone has a direct dial to this (or to god, or to nature or to the universe). No one needs to go through an operator to get access to your intuition.”
Interesting, right?
Why intuition matters for your well-being
Let’s make something clear—intuition isn’t just for quick decisions in high-pressure situations. Why intuition is important goes beyond that: it plays a huge role in your overall well-being and personal growth. When you tune into your intuition, you get to know yourself better. Your needs, desires, and values become clearer, and that helps you make decisions that align with the person you really are, not just what society or other people expect of you.
Intuition helps us navigate those tough moments in life, offering clarity when we feel stuck or overwhelmed. In fact, research shows that intuition is closely tied to creativity, problem-solving, and even emotional regulation. Our brain lights up in different areas when we rely on intuitive thinking—especially those parts responsible for pattern recognition and emotional insight. That’s how intuition helps in decision making; decisions guided by intuition often feel right, even if we can’t explain why.
As May Sarton said, “It always comes back to the same necessity: go deep enough and there is a bedrock of truth, however hard.”
Intuition helps us reach a deeper truth that goes beyond logic and analysis.
How to connect with your intuition
Here’s the thing: intuition is there for everyone, but it does take some work to access it consciously. Luckily, psychology offers a few ways to reconnect with this inner voice. Let’s see:
First, Mindfulness and Meditation. When we quiet our minds, we create the space needed for our subconscious to speak up. You have to make that space, make the time too. Meditation, or even just spending time in stillness, allows us to disconnect from the everyday noise and tune into our inner wisdom. It’s why so many people experience those “aha” moments during a peaceful, reflective practice. That’s why we get so many insights while showering or going for a walk alone.
Then there’s Free Writing, specifically the method called ‘Morning Pages,’ introduced by Julia Cameron. If you’re unfamiliar, Morning Pages involve writing three pages of stream-of-consciousness thoughts first thing in the morning—no judgment, no editing, just letting your thoughts flow. Whatever comes up in your mind, you put it on the paper. Cameron is a firm believer that “anyone who faithfully writes Morning Pages will be led to a connection with a source of wisdom within.”
It works because writing this way clears the mental clutter, allowing those intuitive insights to rise to the surface. Julia Cameron shares in her book that whenever she finds herself blocked or unsure about something, she turns to her Morning Pages, asking for guidance, and without fail, clarity eventually follows.
Mind you, I said eventually, so be patient!
From a psychological standpoint, this method taps into our creative subconscious. The more we let our minds flow freely, without logic or judgment getting in the way, the more creative we become. With that creativity comes new solutions, ideas, and perspectives we might not have found otherwise. It’s not about forcing the answers; it’s about letting them come to us naturally.
Another key method is Body Awareness. Intuition often shows up in our physical sensations—think of the flutter in your stomach, the tightening of your chest, or a wave of calm that washes over you. Learning to recognise and trust these signals can be a great way to tune into your inner wisdom when making decisions.
Finally, there’s Journaling and Reflection. Apart from the Morning Pages, regularly journaling about your thoughts and feelings can help strengthen your intuition. Reflect on past decisions and how they made you feel. You’ll likely start noticing patterns in your intuitive responses, helping you recognise and trust them more in the future.
And as Robbie Gass wisely said, “Like an ability or a muscle, hearing your inner wisdom is strengthened by doing it.”
Intuition isn’t some passive gift you either have or don’t—it’s a skill that grows stronger, the more you practice it.
“If at first you don’t succeed, try and try and try again” (omg I love this quote, don’t judge me!! ha!).
So there you have it. No matter what spiritual energetic magical goo-roos say in the endless stream of social media nonsense, remember that intuition is not some elusive, mystical power—it’s a practical tool that we all have access to. Whether it’s through mindfulness, Morning Pages, or simply listening to your gut, the more you nurture your intuition, the more it will show up for you when you need it most.
The answers are already inside you. You just need to start listening.
Love,
Noemi
P.S.: You can find Julia Cameron’s masterpiece here. The edition I have, from 1995 , I found in one of the best spots for discovering great books—the little container near the exit in B&Q, where people leave their neglected books for me to find.
