Is gut feeling always right?

    What is a gut feeling? 

    Gut feeling is something we all have experienced but something we can't seem to apprehend.  Gut feeling is an intuition or an instinct. Something you feel without a logical rationale. For instance, you hesitate to go to a party because you just feel something is not right. You stop at a traffic light even when its still yellow and a minute later you find a car speeding from another end. There are many kind of gut feeling and often, we ignore them because we are just unsure of it. 

    Well, it can at time get tricky but the purest intuitions are always right rather than the ones lingering in your thoughts and mind. Even emotions may be partially correct. And in most situation, people regret for not trusting that gut feeling. Even I experienced the same thing and till now, it bothers me. If only I had trusted my intuition back then, I wouldn't be feeling so wrong.

    Last year, was a terrible year. As if the Covid-19 wasn't enough, my grandma wasn't in the best condition either. She was diagnosed with cancer. At first they just said it was a small dot. Unfortunately, it spread throughout the body. So last year we were continuously traveling to and from the hospital. We didn't had proper sleep or even proper meal because at that time, shops were not allowed to operate after 8pm. At times we weren't allowed into the hospital because only one person is allowed per visit and we can't stay there either.

    Since November 2019, we had to go through this but we just had hope that things would be fine. At one point, the doctor said there's nothing much can be done because of age factor. So we took her home to my aunts house and everyday we would visit. From talking normally , she suddenly stopped talking and there was no movements. Seeing all this, my heart just sank like anything because I share a very close relationship with my grandma.

    One fine Friday, we went to visit as usual. My aunts, uncles and siblings were also there. Everything was as per normal. It was 11pm then and my parents said its time we head home and come visit the next day. I started feeling something wasn't right. My instinct told me to just stay one night but I ignored it. Even after I left the place and came home, something was bothering me. I couldn't sleep but eventually I slept out of tiredness. The next day, we started our day with breakfast and wanted to prepare something for lunch before we visited my grandma. Suddenly, we got a call at 12pm, saying there's no respond from my grandma. The ambulance had arrived and checked for pulse three times but it was in vain. We left home and rushed but by the time we reached, it was too late. 

    At that point, it all made sense. My gut feeling. I should have trusted them. I should have stayed back that night. I could have been by her side while she breath last. But because I chose to ignore it, that feeling of regret just overtook me. Its been almost 6 months she had left us but till now, sometimes I question myself why hadn't I trusted that gut feeling. And this isn't my first experience with that gut feeling.

    We tend to not trust our gut because sometimes it leads us down a path that it is full of insecurities, fearful and new things and uncomfortable situations. Humans are not made for moving out of their comfort zones. Our minds are programmed to do anything that keeps them alive and is as easy as possible. Our brain tries to keep us safe no matter what.

    And then there is society. This group of people that tend to put pressure on you, no matter what you do. 30, single and you don’t want kids? How dare you! A successful CEO and you wear pink? What the actual eff! You still play snake on your Nokia 3210 and never even came close to a Chanel bag? Holy eff, get out of here! Society can be a bitch sometimes. Your mind knows this, too and keeps you all fluffy and safe within your and society’s comfort zone.

    Whenever you need to take a decision, do not think about it but listen to that inner voice, that inner feeling, you gut. Don't hesitate to follow your gut instinct. Don't make a list of the pros and cons. Don't sleep on it. Don't bother about what others will say. Listen to your inner self because it knows you and only you alone can feel that.

    Now, you might ask 'how do we re-programme our mind to trust out gut feeling'? This is a process that requires trust, even though the outcome of the decision is not something you'd hope for.

    As time passes, you will automatically be keen to your inner voice. You won't hesitate and you will eventually learn to trust yourself and whatever that gut feeling of yours say. It might take some time because its not a skill to master. It is something beyond the control of mankind. But with effort, it will definitely be worth it. 

According to Judith Orloff, a Los Angeles psychiatric who teaches medical students on how to use their intuition when working with patients, most gut feelings are accompanied by physical sensation. Like for positive instincts are accompanied by:

• A sense of warmth
• Ability to breath easily
• Sharp hearing and clarity of vision
• A wave of goosebumps or a slight fluttering feel
• A sense of relaxation