Trusting your subtle feelings 101: 10 steps!
That subtle feeling you cannot escape. That nagging, endless emotion you dismissed about someone or a situation just to find you were right all along. We’ve all been there.
I had a friend whom I knew I low-key irritated or sat on her mind for no reason. It was just day one fascination, then hate, then envy, then various things. And no matter how I dismissed that nagging feeling about her, I only realized that my intuition had always been spot on—the same with other people and different situations.
That subtle feeling you cannot escape. That nagging, endless emotion you dismissed about someone or a situation just to find you were right all along. We’ve all been there. For overthinkers and over-feelers, society often pressures us to gaslight ourselves and ignore these emotions. They also tell us that it is because we think those negative thoughts that they happen.
You are labeled, “too sensitive” or “overreacting.” But I tend to view it differently as I view many things. I find out that there is a way I think—it is different but not that different. It is different, in the way that I do not see negative emotions as the bane of my existence. I accept them. I accept sadness as I accept joy. I accept envy as I accept motivation. I accept heartbreak as I accept being loved. I accept hard work as I accept rest. It is hard but accepting them keeps me going and not stuck dwelling on numerous “whys.” Endless whys without answers.
These subtle feelings are great signals guiding us towards the truth about those we relate with. Now do not confuse this with the sheer delulu that everybody is against you, and everybody is your hater and enemy. No, not that.
The wisdom within
Our emotions are not simply fleeting impulses. They are complex responses to our environment. Those subtle feelings of discomfort or unease can be incredibly valuable. Why? Because they often arise when our subconscious mind picks up on cues that our conscious mind hasn't yet processed. So look at that subtle discomfort as powerful signals guiding us toward truth.
As a child I remember telling my mother how I didn’t like a particular aunty, only to be told to keep quiet. Years later we discover Aunty X is this and that. Due to being told to keep quiet we overlook, dismiss, or even stifle these emotions because they do not come with rational explanations. You are told your emotions are a liability in a society that forces you to toughen up.
All animals were born with intuition. It is why the herbivores do not eat all kinds of grass and the carnivores avoid some animals. Sometimes you get confused by the colors of the carnivorous plants and get sucked into their maze.
Don't gaslight yourself
Anxiety can make you feel like your subtle feelings about people and situations are just mere paranoia or oversensitivity. It takes a level of groundedness, silencing external voices, and that voice in our head to trust our gut feelings. This gut feeling can help us avoid harmful situations. Prayer also helps you to know. A simple prayer about allowing things to show you truly their real form can help. Let the prayer be simple and direct.
Being sensitive, an overthinker or an over-feeler is not a weakness; it's a strength. It allows us to perceive nuances that others may miss. By accepting these emotions, we develop a deeper understanding of ourselves and the people around us.
Let’s start here
Don’t be afraid to tell yourself the truth about people—even when it’s uncomfortable.
When something feels off, it often is off.
Those twinges of discomfort, the gut feelings, the faint sense of imbalance—these are not random or misplaced feelings. They are indicators.
Our culture has trained us to ignore them, often because we’ve been told we’re “too sensitive” or that we’re imagining things. But let me tell you, your intuition has information that logic alone can’t access.
Ignoring it means missing out on vital truths about people, situations, or places in your life.
Those small feelings that don’t make sense on paper are often the loudest signals from your intuition.
Fear can be a part of why you refuse to listen. It happened to me before. Fear that if I say no to this friend whom I suspect only comes to me for money would leave me. Fear that this boy whom I like but who likes my bum bum more than me would leave me if I said no to this date. Fear that if I tell these clients their work doesn’t match what I am paid, they will leave and I won’t find another. It is all fear. It is why I rather anything that wants to break if I put myself first should break and save me time now.
Have the courage to listen. It takes courage to confront uncomfortable truths, especially when they challenge our perceptions of others. But by being honest with ourselves, we can protect our emotional well-being and make informed decisions.
Know that these are the shadow sides of people. If you feel like a friend treats you as a milkmaid, it is true. If you feel a friend is putting their weight on you and using you, it is true. It is the same truth you feel when you feel loved.
Don’t suppress your truth by gaslighting yourself. Ask numerous friends if you must and see their perspective as well if you doubt your subtle emotions.
Being sensitive in this world can feel like a heavy burden, but it is a unique gift. It is a deep awareness that many around us avoid. You’re not “crazy” for feeling things so profoundly; you’re tuned in to life in a way that others might never fully understand. This sensitivity is your mind, heart, and spirit aligning to show you what logic alone cannot.
Once you feel that nudge, that almost unnoticeable unease—listen to it. You don’t owe anyone the suppression of your truth. Allow yourself to feel deeply and trust yourself enough to act on those feelings. Honoring your intuition is self-preservation and self-respect.
With love and conviction,
Winifred
Thanks for reading.
Wow! Thank you!🤍