Signs of a Highly Intuitive Person

As you take in the journey of self-development, there is one thing you can’t escape… Learning about your intuition. What is it, how can it help you, and what are the best ways to develop this internal tool?

Intuition is part of each and every one of us. Some are highly intuitive, while others are not as much. Intuition is a continuum, and where you fall on that line will be individual and very much YOU.

There are things we can describe when someone has a strong intuition. That internal knowing you can’t deny. An ancient understanding of the world’s past, present, and future. That gut instinct, and deep inner wisdom that can’t really be explained.

Like when you instantly feel comfortable with someone you have just met, or immediately feel cautious of them. Instead of analyzing something, you choose just the right option, and quickly. Or when you just know, in every cell of your body… something is the right move, or the best decision…

Some people listen closely to their intuition while others completely ignore it.

Intuition – Explained

Louise Hay, a motivational speaker, author, and the founder of Hay House, called intuition her ‘inner ding’. She explained it as “a still, small voice within”. Intuition was something that provided her safety, direction, and wisdom. It was always with her and forever on her side. Louise consciously developed this skill to up-level the experiences she had in her life.

Intuition is automatic. It is an uncanny ability to understand or sense something, in that moment, without having to consciously think it through. Think of intuition as a fast, subconscious processing that is based on what you have lived, learned, and felt. Thus, your Intuition accesses the patterns, emotional cues, and experiences that your brain is continuously noticing. It is the manifestation of this stored information surfacing as a deep feeling, knowing, or ‘gut sense’.

Quick is the key; it is the moment you get information, a sign, a signal, a word, a thought, or a memory. Then simply trust… that’s it. Because the moment you think too much about it or analyze it, you have actually lost it. The monkey mind warps and changes it. It’s trust, and faith in that very second you believe. That is intuition.

The Three Types of Intuition

The intuition from instinct is a fast, body-based gut reaction. Because it is rooted in survival and keeping yourself safe, it’s all about protection. It can show up as a yes or no feeling, a sense of calm, or even increased tension in your body. This is the person who decides to leave a situation they feel apprehensive about.

Intuition that stems from lived experience and learned patterns that are built over time and through repetition. These are the professionals and the experts. They know this simply because they have seen it before. This person knows exactly the right herb to use with only a few words.

The intuition of insight is the most raw and natural of the intuitive types. This is quiet clarity or sudden realization. It is that deeper knowing and inner guidance that feels reflective and grounded. It is expansive energy that is not forced. It comes with calm and presence. This is the person who has aligned with knowing that feels completely true and non-urgent.

Techniques to Enhance Your Intuition

Your intuition needs quiet. It whispers softly so loud environments will drown it out. Intuition is a very subtle energy that overthinking shuts down. Breathing practices, planned quiet moments, and various meditation techniques will allow your insight to surface more readily. Along with a decrease in all the constant stimulation that takes you out of your body and out of the present.

Pay closer attention to your body cues. Intuition will speak in your body before it speaks in your mind. Think about the tension or tremble in your physical body versus feeling calm and relaxed. Do you experience an opening or tightness anywhere in your body or chest area? Are you noticing people or places that feel expansive or depleting? This is what to take note of and address for a more authentic understanding of how intuition works for you.

Creativity raises intuitive awareness. You can try journaling (no edits) or simple free-writing exercises. Drawing, sketching, painting, sculpting. Music, dancing, or general movement. These actions help you get out of your brain and into your body, where your intuition lives.

Build trust with yourself. Create opportunities with straightforward and simple choices. That will begin to strengthen the internal signals you receive. Things like when to rest, what to eat, which way to go, and who to call. These will build this muscle and ignite a more profound level of self-trust and dependability.

The truth is that every single time you listen to the whisper (even if it doesn’t make total sense or seems insignificant), act on the message and actually witness the outcome… You are training your intuition. This consistent action will then become clearer, stronger, and work even faster.

Differentiating Between Intuition, Fear, and Anxiety

Because they can all feel similar and be somewhat difficult to distinguish.

It all starts with a simple sensation. Then it is up to us to understand the deeper meaning.

Fear feels catastrophic. This energy is loud, tight, and urgent. Intuition feels more relaxing. The energy is neutral but steady. Even if the information is uncomfortable, intuition is grounded and calm.

Anxiety and intuition share a relatable energy, but the tone is very different.

Anxiety is panicky and pushy, while intuition maintains a quiet and guiding tone. Anxiety is rooted in fear and tries to protect you from imagined danger. This energy will get louder the more you process it. It keeps you focused on the worst-case scenario. Anxiety feels fast, desperate, and monotonous. Over and over and over in the mind and closed up in the chest. These are the thoughts of what if, what if, what if…

Conversely, intuition is open and calm. The energy feels clear, steady, and consistent over time. Intuition is not a spiral of thoughts like anxiety; it is more of a simple knowing that does not try to convince or argue with you. It stems from a deeper, more ancient awareness that acknowledges your real power and truth.

Resources and Tips to Develop / Improve Your Intuition

In general, books about self-awareness, quieting your mind, and encouraging mindfulness will ultimately support your intuition.

Hay House Publishing and the ARE (Association for Research and Enlightenment) will have available resources. All for the purpose of helping you develop or improve your skills of intuition. Check them out and see just what intuitive hits you get.

Follow and track the intuitive signals you receive. This will help you build trust in yourself and your intuition. Take note of any initial impressions and instinctive reactions. Make sure to pay special attention to what actually happens later.

Take time to do this consistently with each sensation that arises. Eventually, you will begin to notice patterns of accuracy, as well as the interference from fear or anxiety.

Make this easy and low-pressure. Intuition does not respond to constraint, but it does so to reflection. Contemplate what this would feel like with absolute self-trust. Distinguish what feelsaligned and what does not. Dig deeper for what you may not be seeing… Then step away to pause, and intuition will show up during rest, movement, creativity, and daily activities. This will build your intuition muscle better than anything else.

Your Turn

Here is a really simple exercise you can try to start working with your intuition, right now.

Think about a decision between two choices you’d like to make. Take a drink of water, and find a nice, quiet spot. Sit comfortably and breathe in and out for a few moments to relax your energy and connect to your own self. Visually think about the first option. Really dig into that for a moment. Consider it in as much detail as you can. As you do, notice how your body feels. Does it feel open or closed? Tight or relaxed when you contemplate that option? Next, think about the second one. Do the same thing as before. Take note of your body sensations once more. The choice that feels expansive, calm, and relaxing to you is the one you seek. The option that feels closed off, tight, or tense is not the one for you.

Do this every time you need to decide between two options. You are training your intuition to work for YOU! Make it a lifelong skill.

Photo by Lucas Pezeta