Instinct

If you only listen to one piece of advice I ever give, I hope that you would listen to this one:

Follow your instinct.

Cliche, I know....but also very important.

I used to credit my gut reactions on nerves. I don't believe that anymore at all. No matter what your beliefs (when I start doubting something I truly believe it's God trying to tell me I need to think deeper about whatever situation I find myself in, and if that is not something you believe in that's ok) I feel like it is vital to remind yourself to go with your gut.

If you find yourself in a position where you are starting to doubt something, starting to question where you've found yourself, or something just doesn't feel right, then DO something about that feeling! Don't push it under a pile of excuses. The larger that pile gets, the more you bottle those problems until they get so fierce that they explode.

I am absolutely not saying that every time you feel a twinge of doubt that you should run for the hills. I am also not saying that you should immediately make a new decision. I just feel like if I have learned anything from my situation it is that you need to take a step back, breathe, and think. Make sure you're doing what is best for you. Make sure you are making a decision that is safe. Make sure you are choosing a path that you won't regret.

Do I have regrets about the night I was raped? Absolutely. I made some questionable judgement calls. I had knots in my stomach that I had at one point determined needed to be addressed, but quickly cast them off as butterflies and scolded myself. It was time to grow up, it was time to take chances, it was time to let myself be happy and let myself get swept up in the moment. Unfortunately I have watched way too many romantic comedies and realized that in reality growing up means having to deal with things you never imagined you would deal with.

I didn't realize that while I was pushing aside my instinct, I was also playing Russian Roulette with my life. I took a big risk, and I am very blessed that it didn't turn out worse than it did.

I am not in any way trying to imply that every time you push aside your gut feelings that you are risking your life. I feel like that is a rarity that I experienced. But think of all of the other things ignoring your instincts can do! You could waste a lot of time doing something you aren't passionate about, being with someone who isn't a good fit for you, trying to please people who aren't really your friends.

Think of all of the opportunities you can miss like love, and work opportunities, and adventure! If I had followed my instinct for my entire existence thus far, my life would be incredibly different. Would it be better? Maybe...there's no way to know for certain. Would I have experienced more in my life? Yep, for sure.

Do I still have time to take my own advice and seize life with a new outlook? Absolutely.

I am young, I am courageous, I am curious, I am loved, I am worthy of a good life. So what I need to stop doing is what everybody thinks I should do, and what everyone tells me I should be doing. Don't get me wrong, I still take advice! However, I am going to trust my instinct first. If something doesn't feel right, I am going to spend so much more time mulling it over.

I'll pray about things more, I'll weigh my options more. I'll make pro and con lists (I love lists!). I don't want to dive into the first decision that makes sense without knowing if it's the right thing for me. And if I do happen to do just that, and suddenly feel like something is off I won't ignore it anymore.

Follow your instinct, people. It could be the key to a happier life.