“Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer.” ~William S. Burroughs

Sitting in my office, I stared at the email in front of me.

My heart sank.

All energy and joy left me, to be replaced with confusion, anxiety, and a deep sense of frustration.

As adrenalin rushed through my veins, one question engulfed my mind leaving little room for the answer.

What should I do? What should I do? What should I do?

I just didn’t know.

The email was from a client. Someone who I had worked with for a long time. Someone who wasn’t listening to me. Someone who was causing me unhappiness.

And as I re-read the email, I knew I had to make a decision.

Could I deal with this any longer? The demands, the lack of control, the sharp tone that always seemed so unnecessary.

Or did I have to stick it out? Put up with those feelings, just get on with the work and do the best I could? I needed the money, after all. Cash was tight—could I survive without this client?

What should I do? What should I do? What should I do?

And then, in that one moment in time, it became clear exactly what I needed to do. I needed to step away from the computer. I needed to get outside. And I needed to breathe.

So that’s exactly what I did.

Twenty-four hours later, I was on the phone explaining to my client that I didn’t feel we were right for each other anymore. That we needed to bring things to a close. That it was time for me to move on.

And move on I certainly did.

That day when I stepped outside and went for a walk, I found peace and quiet, a sense of calm understanding, and most importantly, a moment of absolute pure clarity.

My intuition spoke. And I listened to her.

I realized that I had to remove myself from the situation that was causing me so much distress. Forcing myself to continue was no longer an option; it was not what my body and soul needed. Instead, I needed to follow my heart.

And so, I let go of that client along with all those negative feelings. And I created space.

Space for new people. New places. And new experiences.

And do you know what? Once I made that decision, it was like an enormous weight had been lifted from my shoulders.

My energy and joy returned to me in abundance, and I knew with absolute certainty that I had made the right decision.

Once again, my intuition had guided me. And she hadn’t let me down.

Tuning into your intuition during troubled times can be difficult. With so much noise, information, and clutter within the world, our thoughts can often be clouded with distractions.

However, there are lots of ways that you can help your intuitive voice find its way to you. Just follow the tips below.

Step away from the situation.

I’ve found that during these times the best thing you can do is allow yourself some breathing space.

Stand up and go for a long walk, head out into the wilderness, browse some antique shops, meditate, sit with a coffee and watch the world go by. Whatever you love doing, whatever calms you, now is the time to do it.

Find some quiet space to let your mind wander, and your intuitive voice will have a far greater chance of being heard.

Be honest with yourself.

It can sometimes be very easy to ignore your feelings and push them away.

We might push those gut feelings aside and take what may seem like the easier option because we’re afraid of failure, changing direction, and saying no.

However, ultimately this is about your happiness. And if something doesn’t feel right, then maybe it’s time for a change.

Be honest with yourself and acknowledge those unsettled feelings; they are there to guide and support you. Listen to them.

Turn to your journal.

I have found writing in a journal to be an incredible method for tuning into my intuition.

Acting as a safe space to release emotions, work through problems, and process my thoughts, it can allow for greater self-discovery and understanding.

Next time you are having difficulty making a decision, pick up a pen and some paper and let the words flow out of you. Reflect on the situation, explore those feelings, and consider the bigger picture.

This free-flowing use of personal writing can be a wonderful catalyst for removing blocks and letting your intuitive voice lead the way. Just let the words pour out of you.

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The intuitive voice is a powerful one, but it often needs a quiet, calm, reflective environment to find its way.

Learn where you can find some peace, go there when times are hard, and listen with all your might to what your heart and soul are telling you.

Your intuition wants to guide and support you. So give it the space to be heard.

Confused man image via Shutterstock

About Kathryn Hall Kathryn Hall is founder of The Business of Introverts, an avid writer and mentor to individuals who want more freedom, solitude, and creativity in their careers. She’s big on helping people to embrace their introversion in all its glory, while creating a life they love. Sign up to connect with Kathryn and receive her free audio series "How to create a soulful business the stress-free way."