Understanding Intuition and Trauma Responses

PART I: THAT WASN’T INTUITION—THAT WAS A TRAUMA RESPONSE

Your nervous system is fast, intelligent, and protective. However, it can’t always tell the difference between what’s new and what’s dangerous.

You might feel:

• A sharp “no” toward something that’s unfamiliar, not unsafe.

• An urgency to act that’s really a memory being replayed.

• Discomfort that comes not from truth, but from stepping outside conditioning.

  
  

Trauma lives not only in your mind but also in your body. If you’ve lived on high alert, even peace can feel threatening.

Key Insight: A trauma response is fast, panicked, and protective. True intuition is steady—even when it says “no.”

PRACTICE: DEFAULT RESET EXERCISE

1. Sit or lie down with a hand over your heart or belly.

2. Inhale slowly (4 counts), hold (2 counts), exhale (6 counts).

3. Repeat 3–5 rounds.

4. Ask: “Is this sensation from now, or from before?”

5. Imagine exhaling the old residue—without needing to name it.

   
   

PART II: WHOSE VOICE IS THAT?

Much of what we think is “intuition” is really conditioning. From childhood, we absorb:

• Family rules and approval.

• Cultural scripts about who we “should” be.

• Religious beliefs about right and wrong.

• Social pressure to perform instead of express.

  
  

Over time, these voices get internalized. So when your intuition speaks, it can sound foreign—or even wrong.

Key Question: Am I silencing myself to keep someone else’s approval?

JOURNAL PROMPT: WHOSE VOICE IS THAT?

• What was I trying to do or decide?

• What stopped me?

• Whose approval was I afraid of losing?

• Where have I heard that voice before?

  
  

This isn’t about blame. It’s about tuning out static so you can hear your own signal.

PART III: YOUR BODY CAN’T LIE—BUT IT CAN BE CONFUSED

The body processes truth before the mind, but overload scrambles the signal.

Signs of a Trauma Trigger:

• Panicked, sharp, urgent.

• Feels like you must act now.

• Tight, constricted sensation.

  
  

Signs of Resonance (True Intuition):

• Calm but firm.

• Gives space to respond.

• Expansive, grounded sensation.

  
  

Key Insight: Triggers shout. Intuition whispers.

PRACTICE: TRUTH VS. TRIGGER BODY SCAN

1. Recall a recent strong “yes” or “no.”

2. Close your eyes. Replay it.

3. Ask: Did I feel frantic, or calm? Tight, or open?

4. Scan your body: crown to toes. Where does truth sit? Where does fear?

   
   

Over time, you build your own somatic vocabulary—a personal map of how truth feels.

PART IV: WHY RESONANCE IS HARD TO HEAR WHEN YOU’RE OVERLOADED

When your system is flooded, it’s like trying to hear a whisper in a thunderstorm.

Overload shows up as:

• Constant urgency or pressure to decide.

• Spiraling “what if” thoughts.

• Numbness when you most want clarity.

  
  

Key Insight: Nervous system regulation doesn’t dull your gifts—it makes them audible.

PRACTICE: ENERGETIC OVERLOAD CHECK-IN

1. Pause. Breathe slowly.

2. Ask:

• What have I taken in today that isn’t mine?

• What part of me is still bracing?

• Am I in flow, or on alert?

3. Scan: jaw, shoulders, gut. Where’s the tension?

4. Inhale deeply. Exhale static. Tune back to clarity.

   
   

PART V: QUESTIONS TO JOURNAL OR REFLECT ON

• When was the last time I confused fear with intuition?

• What sensations in my body usually signal a trauma response?

• Whose approval am I most afraid of losing if I trust myself?

• What practices help me return to clarity fastest?

• How does my “yes” feel in my body compared to my “no”?

  
  

FINAL THOUGHT

You don’t have to perfect your intuition overnight. You just need to create space between the feeling and the reaction. Clearing out fear, conditioning, and static doesn’t mean you stop listening to your body. It means you begin hearing it clearly.

Because intuition isn’t about guessing the future. It’s about remembering what’s real right now.

Embracing Your Inner Wisdom

As you navigate through your journey of self-discovery, remember that your intuition is a powerful ally. It’s there to guide you, but it can be clouded by past experiences and external influences. By practicing the exercises outlined in this guide, you’ll cultivate a deeper connection with your inner self.

Take your time. Be gentle with yourself. Each step you take toward understanding your intuition is a step toward a more purposeful and joyful life. You are not alone in this journey. We are all learning to listen to our inner wisdom, and together, we can create a community that embraces conscious living and plant-based eating.

So, let’s embark on this journey together, nurturing our minds, bodies, and spirits. The path may not always be clear, but with patience and practice, you’ll find your way. Trust in the process, and remember that every moment is an opportunity to learn and grow.