Midwest Mary

Has someone made you uncomfortable for no apparent reason? Have you ever felt you are being watched but no one is visible? When you must make a decision on which way to turn, do you get a gut feeling that directs you?

These sensations are your instincts guiding you toward what is in your best interest. Instinct offers a sense of knowing and is described as a fixed pattern of behavior in response to certain stimuli. Some human instincts include fear, self-preservation, fight-or-flight, cooperation, maternal bond, hygiene, and herding.

Interestingly, our emotions are tied to those instincts, which is why we often react emotionally rather than factually in stressful situations.

Recently, I began working on a project with someone and immediately felt something was “off,” but I continued because the project was fun and the other person seemed interesting. And then, I received a couple of emails that gave me an unsettling feeling.

At first, I was confused. Later in the day, I was light-headed and nauseous. I’ve had those feelings before when my instincts were tuned into something I needed to distance myself from, which I did.

Whether or not that person was actually dangerous, I do not know. However, I was certain that it wasn’t good for me to associate with them. Once I parted ways, all was calm. I felt emotionally and physically whole again. That is how instincts work.

Back in the 1990s when Sunday newspapers were part of the weekend relaxation ritual, I wrote full-page Sunday features for the Chicago Tribune newspaper. I worked on a series of features on women and self-defense and sought background information from a police detective. The detective often reminded me that women have keen instincts but do not acknowledge them as often as we should.

The detective said that women will step into an elevator and feel uncomfortable near someone already there but won’t step back out for fear of offending the other person.

Or, a woman will meet a new date for coffee and continue the evening by getting into the man’s car to go to dinner even though she is uneasy doing so. The police detective said these instincts are God-given safety mechanisms, and we should listen to them.

According to Healthline, a gut feeling, hunch, sixth sense, or sudden flash of insight should be considered in the decision-making process. Healthline continues by describing signs of these instincts which include a flash of clarity, tension in the body, goosebumps, nausea, a sinking sensation in the pit of the stomach, sweaty palms or feet, and returning thoughts to the person or situation of concern until it is resolved. In addition, a sense of peace and safety is evident after making the right decision, such as I experienced.

Anxiety and paranoia may promote some of the same feelings as instinct but there are important differences. Anxiety centers on things that are out of our control and leaves us on alert for other threatening factors.

Paranoia is irrational. There is no evidence to support our doubts, and it continues happening. Neither anxiety nor paranoia are relieved when a decision is made as is typical with instinct.

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Photo by Mary K. Doyle

I have a book that might be exactly what you or a friend need, Inspired Caregiving. Weekly Morale Builders.
The brief messages in this book offer manageable doses of encouragement and suggestions throughout the year. Read one chapter at a time or spread a chapter out over a week by reading one section at a time or per day.

Each weekly reflection follows a rotation that includes a photo, prayer, thought, activity, stretch, affirmation, quote, and bit of humor to offer guidance, encouragement, improved self-talk, and a smile. Because the weekly chapters are not dated, you can start at the beginning of the book and read through one chapter a week.

©2024, Mary K. Doyle