Friday, April 10, 2015

A to Z Challenge: Intuition



I have, for as long as I can imagine, had a very sharp intuition about people. I guess it's part of the reason why I'm very good at characterization when writing. It's also part of the reason why I'm actually much more cynical than people realize. 

I do, however, make an effort at seeing the good along with the bad, because I realized that not doing so would probably turn me into a hermit. Really. I have no intention of being a hermit. Although, in December, I'd relished moving to a farm veeeeeeeery far from everything. Sadly, just not far enough from everyone

The point is. In the process of looking for the bright side, I've let my family talk me into ignoring my gut instinct time and again. 

And those ones are the ones I always regretted. 

I mean, no one's perfect, but some people just send alarm bells ringing. But since I know my alarm system is highly sensitive, I've been ignoring when the alarm gets triggered. 

And last year, to say the least, showed me why that's really a bad idea. 

So now, I'm reviewing my system. No. I'm not going to refuse to trust people. Because that just give those people who hurt me actually got to hurt me even more. 

I am, however, going to pay much closer attention to the alarms next time. 

Anyone else ignore their intuitions to your own detriment? 

10 comments:

Tamara Narayan said...

Yeah, I've been there and done that. More than once. Apparently, I'm a slow learner. But along the way, some wonderful things have come from not listening to my inner compass.

Bish Denham said...

I'm pretty sensitive as well, but naive. A not so good combination. I truly want to believe that people are good and/or mean well so I give them chances even when those red flags flutter. I've had to force myself to be more cynical...

I say, trust your gut, your instincts. They are rarely wrong.

Stephen Tremp said...

All the time. I'm too gullible as I like to help people. Been taken advantage of far too many times when my Spidey Sense is tingling and telling me to bewares.

Stephen Tremp
A to Z Co-host
Twitter: @StephenTremp

Annalisa Crawford said...

I think I'm pretty good at listening to my instincts. Although, to be honest, they haven't be truly tested.

I think if you know listening to someone else is a bad idea, you're learning the lesson!

Annalisa, writing A-Z vignettes, at Wake Up, Eat, Write, Sleep

betty said...

Wise to listen to your instincts and to trust them sometimes over the advice of others.

betty

Unknown said...

I tend to make big mistakes, taking a dislike when I shouldn't and judging on very little evidence - arghhh!

Mike Keyton said...

Intuition has been a long time evolving. Trust it.

Mike said...

Done that

Mike said...

Done that

Misha Gerrick said...

That's an interesting thought, Tamara.

You sound a lot like my mom. She's a lot like that. So we often have words when she thinks I'm being a pessimist and I think she's making foolhardy decisions.

Stephen, it always makes me sad that there are always people who abuse kindness.

Annalisa, I guess that's the thing. We don't know if our instincts are being tested until it's too late.

Glad you think so, Betty.

Carole, it's hard to keep a balanced approach to this.

Mike K, I hear you.

Thanks for stopping by, Mike S.