Your Body's Secret Language – How to Decode the Difference Between Fear and Intuition
- Brainz Magazine
- Jul 11
- 5 min read
Written by Louise Cridland, Guest Writer
You know when you're trying to make a decision and you can't tell if that knot in your stomach is your intuition saying "hell no" or your anxiety being dramatic? After 13 years as a Holistic Psychologist, I've learned that most of us were never taught the difference—we're just expected to "trust our gut" without understanding what our body is trying to tell us. We’re not taught that our mind tells us stories, our body holds truth in the moment, and our soul knows the way forward. To decode what your signals are telling you, you need all three working together. I'll share practical techniques so you can figure out the difference between the voice of fear (which keeps you small) and the voice of intuition (which calls you forward)—so you can stop second-guessing every decision and start trusting yourself.
Ever notice the two voices in your head when making decisions?
You know those two voices—the one that's excited, dreaming about the future and all the ways you could grow, and the other that's cynical, judgmental, and constantly worried about what others think. If you’re reading this, chances are you were taught the traditional way: rely on your head, use logic, and make rational decisions. That’s how most of us have gone through life, shaped by schools and universities that emphasized thinking over feeling. But eventually, this approach starts to fall short, because real growth also requires learning how to make decisions guided by your heart and intuition.
Most of us don’t realise something crucial
Our head, with its logic and rational thinking, can be brilliant—but more often than not, it pulls us away from our most aligned path. Many of the voices in our mind aren’t truly ours. They’ve been shaped by school, parents, and society’s ideas about what the “right path” should look like. Think about how often people study something like law, not out of passion, but because it’s seen as respectable and promises good money. This is a classic example of how external influences can disguise themselves as our own desires. What looks good on paper often isn’t right for us. In fact, our usual patterns of thought may not reflect who we really are at our core.
Research from the HeartMath Institute shows that success in life is more closely tied to how well we manage our emotions than to pure logic alone. And yet, most of us were never taught to use our emotions, heart, and intuition as tools for making life decisions.
Why you don't listen to your intuition
Our intuition and body speak to us every day. But often, we’re either too scared to follow what they’re telling us, because it doesn’t seem rational or logical or we let our mind drown out that quiet inner knowing with noise: worrying about what others think, fear of failure, or running through endless what-if scenarios. Intuition is usually simple and clear, but that doesn’t always mean it’s easy to follow. Learning to use our mind, heart and body is being recognised as one of the best ways to make decisions.
Take this example, you’re looking for a new place to live. Online, you find one that ticks all the boxes. But when you walk in, there’s no “hell yes” feeling. Instead, you’re left confused, wondering why you’re not more excited. Then your mind kicks in, it’s got a garden, a big kitchen, a nice view. You start spiraling, “What if I don’t find anything better? What if I’m stuck or homeless?”
But notice this, your body knew straight away. It was a quiet “no,” but your mind clouded the clarity. Sound familiar? If so, you’re not alone. Many people struggle to hear their intuition through the noise of fear.
How to nail it every time – My quick guide
When making decisions, or when you feel stuck in your head about a current situation (moving, career, relationship), check in with your body, mind and soul.
What is your body feeling? What’s the energy you notice?
Is it expanding or contracting?
Think excitement/lightness versus tightness/sinking feeling in your body.
What are your thoughts saying?
Are they clear and calm versus spiralling and frantic?
Can you notice a general sense about something or a knowing versus a busy mind and negative ‘what if’ scenarios?
What does your soul say?
Is your inner voice calling you forward toward growth and meaning?
Or keeping you small, hidden and focused on safety and control?
How to strengthen your intuitive hits
You’ve now got ways to tell the difference between fear and intuition, here are 3 ways to strengthen your intuition.
1. Follow joy
Imagine your heart and intuition had its own language. It would speak to you through feeling happy, joyful and lit up.
What do you love talking about and could talk about for hours to anyone?
What do you love doing?
What energises or interests you?
Your intuition drops hints all the time. Every time you feel drawn to something whether it’s a book, an event, a country, or just something that feels fun or interesting, it considers that a nudge worth exploring. When you find yourself asking, “Is this fear or my intuition speaking?” the answer is usually in your body.
If you feel energised, uplifted, or inspired after the experience, that’s a clear sign it was aligned with you and worth pursuing further. But if you feel bored, drained, or disconnected, it’s likely a sign that the decision came from your head, not your intuition. Your body knows the difference, and it's always communicating if you're willing to listen.
2. Tune into random moments
Have you ever noticed that feeling you get after listening to an epic podcast or watching an amazing movie or documentary? That sensation usually felt somewhere in your body is your intuition pointing the way. It’s telling you, “Hey, something in that really resonated.”
So ask yourself: What lit me up? Was it the topic, the journey, or how it relates to me? What caught my interest? These moments are your intuition dropping hints, guiding you toward what truly matters.
3. Ask yourself, is this my head or heart voice speaking?
When making a decision, take a moment to get curious about the voice inside your head. Are you hearing your head, driven by logic or fear, or is it your heart speaking, guided by intuition? Remember, your head tends to focus on what you “should” do, while your heart points toward your own unique way.
Aren't we here to live the wildest, most amazing life?
Intuition often isn’t logical. It can be wild, unexpected, and even disappoint others, which is exactly what our mind resists. Remember, part of our brain is wired to keep us safe, and it can easily overpower our more intuitive side if we let it. But aren’t we here to live the wildest, most amazing, fun-loving, and meaningful life possible? I know I am. That’s why tuning into my intuition and helping my clients do the same has become my mission.
Ready to move from second-guessing yourself to trusting what you know?
Download my free guide “Mastering the art of intuitive decision-making”. It's packed with practical tools that show you how to make decisions from that deeper knowing in your body rather than fear or guilt, so you can start living life on your terms.
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