By Soul Essence, New Eltham, London, UK

Have you ever met someone and immediately felt comfortable around them? Or had a strong feeling that you should wait before making a decision, even though you could not explain why?

This is often called a gut feeling.

A gut feeling can be one way that intuition communicates with us. It may arrive as a quiet thought, a physical sensation or a sense of knowing. Learning to understand the language of intuition can help you become more aware of yourself, your emotions and the subtle signals you may otherwise overlook.

What Is Intuition?

Intuition is often described as knowing something without consciously knowing how you know it.

Your mind is constantly processing information. It notices facial expressions, changes in tone, patterns, memories and experiences, often without bringing all of this information into conscious awareness. Your brain may then create a feeling or impression before you can explain the reason behind it.

This can make intuition feel mysterious.

You might simply think, “Something doesn’t feel right.”

Or perhaps you experience the opposite: a quiet sense that you are moving in the right direction.

How Does Your Gut Speak?

Intuition can communicate in different ways. There is no single experience that applies to everyone.

You may notice:

• A feeling in your stomach or chest
• A sudden thought that keeps returning
• A sense of calm or ease
• A feeling of resistance or discomfort
• An unexpected moment of clarity
• A strong desire to pause
• A sense that you should explore an idea further

These intuitive signals can be very subtle. They may be easy to overlook when life is busy or when your mind is filled with other people’s opinions.

Your Body and Intuition

The body can play an important role in how we experience intuition.

You might notice your shoulders relaxing when something feels right, or experience tension when something feels uncomfortable. You may feel excitement, heaviness, warmth or a sense of openness.

These physical sensations are not automatically messages that you should follow. Stress, memories and emotions can create similar responses.

Instead of immediately deciding what a sensation means, try becoming curious about it.

Ask yourself:

“What am I noticing right now?”

Intuition or Anxiety?

One of the most useful skills you can develop is learning to recognise the difference between intuition and anxiety.

Anxiety can bring repetitive thoughts, urgency and fear about what might happen. Intuition may feel quieter and more straightforward.

However, there is no perfect test. A strong feeling is not always intuition, and a calm feeling is not always correct.

For important choices, allow your gut instinct to be one source of information alongside facts, evidence, experience and thoughtful consideration.

Learning the Language of Intuition

Like learning any new language, understanding intuition takes practice.

Create small moments of quiet during your day. Spend time without your phone, go for a mindful walk or sit somewhere peaceful.

You can also keep an intuition journal. Record moments when you had a strong feeling, what you noticed in your body and what happened afterwards.

Over time, you may begin to recognise your own patterns.

You may discover that your intuition speaks through particular sensations, recurring thoughts or moments of unexpected clarity.

Journalling Prompt

Find a quiet place and write freely about this question:

“When was the last time I had a gut feeling, and what was it trying to tell me?”

Describe what happened, how you felt physically and emotionally, whether you listened to the feeling and what happened afterwards.

Then ask:

“What can this experience teach me about the way my intuition communicates?”

There is no need to force an answer.

Your intuition may not always speak loudly. Sometimes it is simply a quiet nudge asking you to pause, notice and listen.

The more space you create for that quiet voice, the easier it may become to recognise the language it has been speaking all along.

Receive one of my free e-books about Chakras, Meditation Tips, Inner Child or Skincare

If you want to join a meditation group, Soul Essence runs small groups. There are fortnightly online groups on Tuesday evenings and face-to-face groups on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday evenings.

The Friday morning meditations on the fourth week of the month start at 11 am.

Contact Rosemary for more information.

By Soul Essence, New Eltham, London, UK

Have you ever had a feeling that something was right or wrong, even when you could not explain why? Perhaps you have called it a gut feeling, an inner voice, or simply a sense of knowing.

This quiet knowing is often described as intuition. It can help us notice things that our conscious mind has not yet put into words. Learning to recognise your intuition can help you become more self-aware, make thoughtful decisions and develop greater trust in yourself.

What Is Intuition?

Intuition is a feeling or understanding that seems to appear without conscious reasoning. It can be a subtle thought, physical sensation or strong sense that you should pause, continue or pay attention.

Our brains take in far more information than we consciously notice. Intuition may be influenced by past experiences, patterns, emotions and small details we have picked up without realising it.

For some people, intuition also has a spiritual meaning. It may be experienced as inner guidance, inner wisdom or a deeper connection with oneself.

Whatever your personal understanding, intuition is worth noticing rather than immediately dismissing.

How Does Intuition Feel?

Intuition does not always feel dramatic. In fact, it can be very quiet.

You might experience:

• A gentle feeling that something is not quite right
• A sudden sense of clarity
• A feeling of calm about a particular choice
• A recurring thought that keeps returning
• A physical sensation in your stomach or chest
• An urge to pause before making a decision
• A strong sense that you need to explore something further

Learning to recognise these intuitive signals takes time. The more you pay attention, the easier it may become to understand your own patterns.

Intuition or Fear?

One of the most important parts of developing intuition is learning to tell the difference between intuition and anxiety.

Fear can feel urgent and overwhelming. It often creates a stream of “what if?” thoughts and encourages us to react quickly.

Intuition may feel quieter. It can simply offer a sense of “something needs attention” without creating a long list of frightening possibilities.

However, intuition is not infallible. Our fears, assumptions and previous experiences can also influence what we feel. For important decisions, use intuition alongside facts, evidence and careful thought.

How to Develop Your Intuition

You can strengthen your intuitive awareness through simple daily practices.

Start by creating moments of stillness and silence. Put your phone away and take a quiet walk, sit with a cup of tea or spend a few minutes breathing slowly.

Try keeping an intuition journal. Write down your gut feelings, what was happening at the time and what happened afterwards. Over time, this can help you recognise your personal intuitive language.

Most importantly, practise listening before immediately judging what you notice.

Reflection Prompt

Take a few quiet minutes and ask yourself:

“What have I been quietly knowing, but perhaps avoiding or ignoring?”

Write whatever comes to mind without trying to make it perfect.

You do not need to act on the answer immediately. Simply notice it.

Sometimes intuition does not give us a complete answer. Sometimes it gives us the first small clue.

And learning to recognise that quiet clue may be the beginning of trusting yourself more deeply.

Receive one of my free e-books about Chakras, Meditation Tips, Inner Child or Skincare

If you want to join a meditation group, Soul Essence runs small groups. There are fortnightly online groups on Tuesday evenings and face-to-face groups on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday evenings.

The Friday morning meditations on the fourth week of the month start at 11 am.

Contact Rosemary for more information.

By Soul Essence, New Eltham, London, UK

Life can move at a fast pace. There are always things to do, people to respond to and responsibilities waiting for our attention. In the middle of a busy day, pausing can feel like something we cannot afford to do.

Yet a pause is not wasted time. Taking time to slow down can bring rest, clarity, peace and a renewed sense of purpose. When we pause, we create space to notice what is happening within us and around us.

The Gift of Rest

One of the most important things we gain when we pause is rest.

Our bodies and minds are not designed to be active every moment of the day. Without enough rest, we can become tired, irritable and overwhelmed.

A short period of stillness can give us an opportunity to breathe and recover. It might be a quiet cup of tea, a few minutes in the garden or simply sitting without reaching for our phone.

Rest does not mean we are being lazy. It is an important part of caring for ourselves.

The Gift of Clarity

When life becomes busy, everything can begin to feel urgent. We may rush from one task to another without stopping to ask whether we are spending our time wisely.

Pausing can help us step back.

A quiet moment allows us to consider what really matters and what can wait. We may see a problem differently or recognise a solution that was difficult to notice while we were rushing.

Sometimes, clarity comes when we stop trying so hard to find an answer.

The Gift of Being Present

It is easy to spend our days thinking about the past or worrying about the future.

Pausing brings our attention back to the present moment.

We can notice our surroundings, listen to the people around us and become more aware of how we are feeling. Even a few mindful breaths can help us become more grounded.

The present moment may be ordinary, but it is where life is actually happening.

The Gift of Gratitude

A pause also gives us time to notice what is good.

When we are rushing, we can easily overlook simple blessings. A kind message, a warm meal, sunshine, birdsong, a comfortable home or time with someone we love can all become sources of gratitude.

Stillness helps us notice these small gifts.

Gratitude does not mean pretending everything is perfect. It simply means recognising that even difficult days can contain moments of goodness.

The Gift of Choice

Constant activity can make us feel as though we are simply reacting to life.

When we pause, we create a small space between what happens and how we respond.

That space can be valuable.

Instead of immediately saying yes, we can think. Instead of reacting in anger, we can take a breath. Instead of automatically following our usual routine, we can ask whether there is another way.

A pause gives us an opportunity to choose rather than simply react.

Creating Small Pauses in Your Day

You do not need a completely free afternoon to benefit from stillness. Begin with small moments.

Pause before checking your phone in the morning. Take three deep breaths before starting your next task. Step outside for a few minutes. Eat one meal without a screen.

You could also create a regular practice of prayer, meditation, journalling or quiet reflection.

These small pauses can gradually create a calmer rhythm in everyday life.

Reflection Prompt

Find a quiet moment and reflect on this question:

“What might I gain if I allowed myself to pause more often?”

Then consider:

• What happens when I am constantly rushing?
• When do I feel most peaceful?
• What do I notice when I slow down?
• What am I giving too much of my attention to?
• Where could I create a small pause today?

Write whatever comes to mind without trying to make it perfect.

Pause and Receive

We often think we need to keep moving in order to get somewhere. But sometimes, the most valuable progress begins with stopping.

When we pause, we gain the opportunity to rest, reflect and reconnect. We may find clarity where there was confusion, peace where there was pressure and gratitude where there was distraction.

A pause does not take us away from life. It helps us return to life more fully.

So today, give yourself permission to stop for a moment.

Breathe deeply. Look around. Notice where you are.

There may be something waiting for you in the quiet.

Receive one of my free e-books about Chakras, Meditation Tips, Inner Child or Skincare

If you want to join a meditation group, Soul Essence runs small groups. There are fortnightly online groups on Tuesday evenings and face-to-face groups on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday evenings.

The Friday morning meditations on the fourth week of the month start at 11 am.

Contact Rosemary for more information.

By Soul Essence, New Eltham, London, UK

In a world that often encourages us to move faster, do more and stay connected all the time, being still can feel surprisingly difficult. Our minds can be full of plans, worries and unfinished tasks, even when our bodies are sitting quietly.

Yet the gentle practice of being still can offer a simple way to slow down, breathe and reconnect with ourselves. Stillness is not about being perfectly calm or emptying our minds. It is simply about creating a little space to pause and be present.

What Does It Mean to Be Still?

Being still means stepping away from constant activity for a moment. It could be sitting quietly in the morning, taking a slow walk, spending time in nature or enjoying a cup of tea without looking at your phone.

There is no right or wrong way to practise stillness.

You do not need special equipment, a perfect room or hours of free time. Even five minutes can be enough to begin.

The aim is simply to stop rushing and notice the moment you are in.

The Gift of Slowing Down

When we are busy, we can move through the day without really experiencing it. We think about what has already happened or worry about what comes next.

Stillness helps us return to the present.

As we slow down, we may notice our breathing, the sounds around us or the feelings we have been carrying. We may realise that we are tired, grateful, worried or simply in need of a little rest.

This awareness is valuable. We cannot care for ourselves well if we never stop to notice what we need.

Stillness Can Bring Clarity

A busy mind can make everything feel urgent. When we take time to be still, we can begin to separate what truly matters from what can wait.

Quiet reflection may help us think more clearly about our choices, relationships and priorities.

Sometimes, we discover that we have been saying yes when we need to say no. At other times, we may recognise something we are grateful for but have been too distracted to appreciate.

Stillness creates space for these realisations.

Finding Peace in Ordinary Moments

Stillness does not have to be a formal practice. It can become part of ordinary life.

Notice the sky while walking to the shops. Listen to birdsong in the garden. Sit quietly before starting your day. Take three slow breaths before answering a difficult message.

These small moments can help us gather peace, calm and presence throughout the day.

The more we practise noticing, the easier it can become to find stillness even when life around us is busy.

Being Still Does Not Mean Doing Nothing

It is easy to think that stillness is unproductive. We may feel guilty for resting when there are things that need to be done.

But rest is not wasted time.

Our minds and bodies need moments of recovery. Stillness can help us return to our responsibilities with greater patience, energy and focus.

We are not machines. We need space to pause and renew.

A Simple Stillness Practice

Try this simple practice today.

Find somewhere comfortable and put your phone aside. Sit quietly for five minutes. Take slow, natural breaths and notice what is happening around you.

You do not need to push thoughts away. If your mind wanders, gently bring your attention back to your breathing or the sounds around you.

At the end, ask yourself: “How do I feel now?”

There is no need to judge the answer.

Journalling Prompt

After your stillness practice, write about this question:

“What might I hear, notice or understand if I allow myself to be still?”

You could also explore:

• What makes stillness difficult for me?
• When do I feel most peaceful?
• What am I carrying that needs my attention?
• What helps me feel grounded?
• How could I create five minutes of stillness each day?

Let your writing be honest and simple. You do not need to find perfect answers.

A Gentle Invitation to Pause

The practice of being still is not about escaping everyday life. It is about learning to meet life with greater awareness.

In the quiet, we can breathe. We can notice. We can rest. We can listen.

Even a few moments of stillness can become a gift in a busy day.

So pause when you can. Take a breath. Let the noise settle. Give yourself permission to be still.

You may find that in doing less for a few moments, you make more space for what truly matters.

Receive one of my free e-books about Chakras, Meditation Tips, Inner Child or Skincare

If you want to join a meditation group, Soul Essence runs small groups. There are fortnightly online groups on Tuesday evenings and face-to-face groups on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday evenings.

The Friday morning meditations on the fourth week of the month start at 11 am.

Contact Rosemary for more information.

By Soul Essence, New Eltham, London, UK

There are seasons in life when everything seems to move quickly. Our days can be filled with work, family, appointments, messages and responsibilities. We may find ourselves rushing from one thing to another without having time to stop and breathe.

Then, sometimes, life gives us a gentle invitation to slow down.

It may come through tiredness, a quiet change in circumstances, a holiday, a walk in nature or simply the realisation that we have been living at a pace that is difficult to sustain. Slowing down is not always easy, but it can create space for rest, reflection, stillness and renewal.

Why We Find It Hard to Slow Down

Many of us have become used to being busy. We may feel that we should always be doing something useful or productive.

Even when we have free time, we might fill it with social media, television, household tasks or checking our phones. Our bodies may be resting, but our minds are still busy.

The idea of slowing down can therefore feel strange.

Yet being constantly busy does not necessarily mean we are living well. Sometimes, slowing down allows us to become more present and notice what our busy lives have been hiding.

Listening to What You Need

When life invites us to slow down, it can be helpful to listen rather than resist.

Perhaps you need more sleep. Perhaps you need time alone. Maybe you need to spend time with people who encourage you, reconnect with nature or simply have a quiet afternoon without a long list of tasks.

Slowing down gives us an opportunity to ask: What do I really need at this stage of my life?

The answer may be different from what we expected.

Finding Beauty in the Ordinary

A slower pace can help us notice the simple things around us.

We may hear birdsong on our morning walk, notice the changing seasons, enjoy the warmth of sunlight or take greater pleasure in an ordinary meal.

These moments have always been there, but busyness can make us overlook them.

Stillness teaches us that life does not have to be dramatic to be meaningful. There is beauty in ordinary moments when we are present enough to receive them.

Slowing Down Does Not Mean Giving Up

It is important to remember that slowing down is not the same as giving up.

We can still have goals, responsibilities and dreams while choosing a gentler pace. In fact, regular rest can help us approach our commitments with greater energy and clarity.

Sometimes, doing less allows us to do what matters most with greater care.

Slowing down is about becoming more intentional, not less motivated.

Creating Small Moments of Stillness

You do not need to change your whole life to begin.

Try creating small moments of stillness throughout your day. Put your phone away while you have your morning drink. Take a short walk without listening to anything. Sit quietly for five minutes before starting your evening.

You could also spend a few minutes in prayer, meditation or journalling.

These simple practices can help you move from constant activity towards greater calm and awareness.

When Life Changes Your Pace

Sometimes life slows us down when we would rather keep moving. A change in circumstances, disappointment or an unexpected pause can be frustrating.

Yet even unwanted pauses can give us an opportunity to reflect.

We may discover that we have been carrying too much. We may recognise what is truly important or realise that something in our life needs to change.

Not every pause is easy, but some pauses can become places of growth.

Reflection Prompt

Take a few quiet minutes and reflect on this question:

“What might life be inviting me to slow down and notice?”

Then consider:

• Where am I rushing unnecessarily?
• What has my busy pace prevented me from noticing?
• What does my mind and body need at the moment?
• What could I simplify or let go of?
• Where could I create more stillness in my week?

Write honestly and without judgement. You do not need to solve everything today.

Embracing a Slower Season

When life invites us to slow down, we can choose to see it as an opportunity rather than an interruption.

A slower pace can help us rest, reflect and reconnect with what matters. It can remind us that our worth is not measured by how much we achieve or how busy our days are.

Perhaps the invitation to slow down is also an invitation to pay attention — to yourself, to others and to the quiet gifts already around you.

Pause. Breathe. Notice.

There may be something beautiful waiting for you in the stillness.

Receive one of my free e-books about Chakras, Meditation Tips, Inner Child or Skincare

If you want to join a meditation group, Soul Essence runs small groups. There are fortnightly online groups on Tuesday evenings and face-to-face groups on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday evenings.

The Friday morning meditations on the fourth week of the month start at 11 am.

Contact Rosemary for more information.