For HSPs, Intuition May Be More Important Than Knowing Your Path
For as long as I can remember, I have repeatedly dreamed, tried, gotten angry at, and given up on searching for my path in life. It always felt like a never-ending loop of “try this,” and “do that.” But, no matter what I did or tried, I always ended up feeling even more frustrated and lost.
I grew up believing that I could do anything I put my mind to, so when my career and life led me in a million unsatisfactory and unsuccessful directions, I eventually lost faith in that mantra. It wasn’t until the beginning of this year, when I studied with Sonia Choquette to develop my intuitive gifts and hear my inner guidance, that it all finally clicked.
I believed in myself and my abilities again.
HSPs Often Have Strong Inner Guidance
We all have an internal compass that already knows the path to our highest potential and expression of ourselves. Our bodies are constantly broadcasting and receiving energy through emotions, physical sensations, inner knowing, and subtle shifts in energy. Some people describe this as intuition, while others think of it as body awareness, inner guidance, or interoception. Highly sensitive people, in particular, often notice these subtle cues more easily since we tend to be more aware.
The trick is to learn how to understand what these sensations are telling you, so the path can be more direct.
We all have these gifts, call them sensations, vibes, psychic abilities, or “clairs,” but most of us talk ourselves out of following our intuition for fear that…well, fill in the blank.
When we trust ourselves and learn this new language, however, a brand-new landscape of information opens up to us. We begin to see the patterns and understand the guidance. We begin to trust the path. And, as our lives begin to fall into place around us in a way that is exciting and finally helpful, there is so much peace in knowing everything is unfolding as it should.
Learning the Language of Your Intuition Takes Time
If you’re still not sure about trusting your intuition fully, please know that it’s completely normal to feel doubtful. Working with your intuition is a discipline, and gathering enough evidence that it’s working so you can trust it fully can take time.
Like anything new, it’s not the best idea to start out running. As Sonia mentions, you don’t want to go off using your intuition to plan big things, such as your retirement funds or big life changes, right off the bat. You want to take your time and use it creatively to play and have fun experimenting with little things, such as finding the perfect gift for a friend or an up-close parking spot in a busy destination.
For example, I’ll never forget the first time I used my intuition to find a parking spot in a super busy area near me. I passed the restaurant I was going to, and there was nothing there, so I circled around. There was still no spot open, so I passed by a third time. And as I was turning the corner, I felt an unmistakable warmth and opening in my chest that (for me) means “yes,” or “here.”
It was so intense that I remember thinking, “Oh my god! There must be a spot opening up…I really feel that.” Sure enough, and right in front of the restaurant, there was a car pulling out directly in front of me, and I was able to pull right in.
I remember having to sit in my car for a while. I felt so touched and realized in that moment that if my inner guidance can help me with something as simple as finding a parking spot for dinner, surely it could do miraculous things in the more pressing areas of my life.
That time, I had asked for guidance…but there are times when my intuition kicks in without my asking. For example, I was once going through my emails and had a huge heart space opening when I was reading my emails, much like the sensation when I came upon the parking spot. I thought, ok, pay attention…my guides are clearly trying to get my attention.
Just then, an email grabbed my eye. It was a reminder to pay a credit card bill. It wasn’t until I opened the bill that I realized it was due the next day, and if I hadn’t paid, the payment would have been late.
I was relieved that I didn’t have to pay a late fee, and even more importantly, I felt watched over and cared for by something much larger than me.
How Intuition Speaks Through the Body
Over time, I learned that intuition has its own language. For me, a feeling of warmth and expansion in my chest often means “yes.” For someone else, it might feel like calmness, excitement, lightness, or simply a quiet knowing…but half the fun is learning what your sensations are communicating to you specifically.
Since leaning into my intuition and learning how it works, I have felt a peace like no other. I still don’t always know the big picture or where it’s ultimately leading me, and I still don’t have all the answers, but I’m learning that this is what makes our inner guidance so beautiful…and powerful.
It has nudged me to try things I haven’t done in so long, such as write fiction and poetry again and develop a free course. The more I work with it, the more I see how it supports my needs and leads me to creative ventures and safety, and I finally understand how it offers one next step, then another, helping me build trust over time. It rarely gives us the entire map.
So, if you’re developing your inner guidance, start small by asking yourself gentle questions throughout the day:
Which option feels lighter?
What brings a sense of calm or openness?
What feels heavy or constricting?
You don’t need to know your entire path today. You only need to notice the next small step that feels aligned in that moment.
Trust the Next Step Without Needing to Know the Entire Path
If you’re feeling stuck on your path and you don’t know which direction to go, spend some time learning how to activate and tune into your inner guidance. And if you do know what it feels like to follow your inner guidance, but you’re still not sure if you’re headed in the right direction, keep going!
If you are consistent about dedicating time to strengthening that muscle each day, I promise you will be led to more understanding and guidance. Most importantly, trust that it’s leading you somewhere really beautiful.
Even though you might not have all the answers in the short term, knowing that you’re guided can offer a sense of peace that’s difficult to replace or put into words. Whether you’re looking for the right career path, relationship, or place to live, etc., once you get enough evidence that your intuition is working, you just know that each day you’re getting closer and closer to your fullest expression of “self.”
And that peace of mind and guidance is worth everything.
Ready to Strengthen Your Intuition?
If you’re ready to stop second-guessing your path and step into a life that is gentler and more reflective of your own intuition and desires, I’d love to help.
I’m an ICF-certified and Gifted Intuitive Coach. By using my intuition and reading your frequency, energy, and vibration in the coaching process, I can help you activate and strengthen your inner guidance.
If you’d like to explore my coaching in more detail, you can read more about me and my process or set up a free discovery session here and answer any questions you might have about how to work with your gifts.