In the last post, we talked about why decision-making becomes even harder when the world feels so unpredictable. We explored the ways economic uncertainty ramps up our natural hesitations, creating what I've coined as "crisis-compounded indecision."
If you missed Part 1 of this series “Decision-Making Confidence”, you can catch up here Why Choosing Gets Harder (Especially During Economic Uncertainty).
In this post, we will dive into something I've been hearing from nearly everyone lately: "How can I possibly trust my gut when my brain is running a 24/7 worry marathon?" Learning to trust your gut in uncertain times is more valuable than you might think.
Trust me, I get it. When the news feels like it’s one disaster after another and the future seems shaky, our brains start to go into overdrive, and it can feel like your intuition is completely drowned out by all the noise.
But here’s the good news: Your intuition is still there. The real challenge isn't developing new ways to trust your gut — it's clearing away the noise so you can hear it again. You’re just dealing with a lot of extra noise.
Because your intuition is still there, even when everything feels uncertain.
When Analysis Becomes Anxiety
Here’s a moment I’m sure a lot of you can relate to. It’s 2 AM. I’m sitting at my laptop, scrolling through article after article, trying to make sense of all the economic predictions, and convincing myself that if I just read enough, I’ll somehow be able to predict the future. Sound familiar?
Three hours later, I felt worse than when I started. I was more anxious, more confused, and no closer to clarity.
We’ve all been there, haven’t we?
- Endless research that leads nowhere
- Overthinking every little option
- Running through worst-case scenarios that multiply the more we think about them
What we’re really doing in moments like this isn’t research; we’re just spiraling. It’s anxiety masquerading as "doing our due diligence." And in times like these, it's easy to let our brains hijack our decision-making process.
Your Intuition Hasn't Disappeared - It's Just Harder To Hear
One of my clients, Rebecca, nailed it when she said: “It feels like I’m trying to listen for a whisper while standing next to a jackhammer.”
Rebecca's jackhammer analogy perfectly captures why it's so difficult to trust your gut during chaotic times.
That “jackhammer” is the nonstop news, the economic pressure, and the collective anxiety we’re all feeling. And the “whisper” is your intuition — the quiet voice of wisdom that gets harder to hear when we’re surrounded by chaos.
Here’s the thing: your intuition is still there. It’s just harder to access when your brain is overwhelmed with “what-ifs” and fear.
The Surprising Reliability of Intuition in Uncertainty
You might be thinking: “Intuition only works when things are calm, right? In a crisis, I need to rely on facts, not gut feelings!” But actually, the opposite is true.
Research in decision science has found that intuition often works better in uncertain times than in stable ones. Why? Because your gut isn’t just about feeling — it’s about processing all of your experiences, including emotional cues, patterns, and things you know on a deeper level that your mind can’t always articulate.
Studies show that intuition becomes especially valuable in highly uncertain circumstances where more data gathering won't necessarily lead to clarity.
How to Hear Your Intuition Over the Noise
Here’s the million-dollar question: How do you tune in to your intuition when your brain is screaming at you to catastrophize?
I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve that can help you trust your gut. Ready?
1. Schedule Your Anxiety Time
Set a timer for 15 minutes where you give yourself full permission to worry, research economic news, or spiral down those rabbit holes. When the timer goes off, deliberately shift your focus elsewhere until your next scheduled session.
This approach acknowledges your legitimate worries while preventing them from controlling your entire day.
2. Ground Yourself Before You Decide
Before diving into decision-making, try a quick grounding practice. Spend just 3–5 minutes:
- Feeling your feet firmly on the ground
- Noticing your breath without trying to change it
- Scanning your body for tension
This simple practice calms your nervous system, so your intuitive signals can break through the noise.
3. Try the “Body Compass” Technique
When considering options, think through each one and notice how your body feels:
- Imagine you’ve already made Choice A — what physical sensations come up?
- Now imagine Choice B — what do you feel now?
Sometimes, physical sensations like tightness or lightness can tell you more than your mental overthinking ever will.
4. Take Media Breaks
Information is necessary, but it can also overwhelm your intuition. Try setting specific times to check the news or financial updates.
Or better yet, take a 24-hour break before making a major decision. I know, it sounds radical, but it works wonders for creating mental space.
This simple boundary creates the quiet space your intuition needs to surface above the constant barrage of external opinions and predictions.
5. Engage in Non-Verbal Activities
Intuition is often easiest to access when our mind is distracted by something physical. Take a walk, shower, or do something creative like drawing or gardening.
You’d be amazed at how often clarity shows up in these quiet moments when you let your mind rest.
These activities bypass your analytical overthinking and allow your intuition to communicate through unexpected moments of clarity and insight.
Pro Tip ~~
How to Tell Fear from Intuition:
A question I get all the time: How do I know if what I'm feeling is intuition or just fear?
Here's a simple rule of thumb:
- Fear tends to feel like a narrowing: your thoughts spiral, you get stuck in what-ifs, and it feels frantic or desperate.
- Intuition often feels like an opening: it's clear, calm, and direct—even when it's giving you cautious advice. It's a sense of knowing, not panic.
Balancing Caution With Wisdom
Let me be clear: using your intuition during tough times isn’t about ignoring the risks or pretending everything is fine - it's about finding the right balance so you can trust your gut without ignoring practical concerns.
Here’s how I like to think about it:
- Your brain helps you gather information and weigh risks.
- Your intuition helps you filter out the noise and focus on what matters most.
Together, they create a powerful decision-making duo!
Small Practices For Trusting Your Gut
To wrap up, here are a few small daily practices to keep that intuitive connection strong:
- Body Check-In: Before checking your phone or diving into the day, take a moment to feel into your body. Notice your baseline state so you can notice shifts when you’re making decisions.
- Three Breaths: Before making a decision, pause and take three deep breaths. It helps create a moment of calm to tune into your gut.
- Ask: “What Do I Know for Sure?” This helps you separate real certainty from anxiety-driven projections, making space for your intuition to come through.
- Daily Reflection: At the end of the day, write down one decision that felt aligned with your deeper wisdom. It might be a tiny choice, but the more you acknowledge it, the easier it will be to hear your intuition in the future.
Start Trusting Your Gut Today
In Part 3 of this series, we’ll talk about how even small daily decisions can help you build momentum and confidence during uncertain times. Because, in the end, it’s not about making one perfect decision — it's about rebuilding trust in yourself through intentional choices.
Until then, I encourage you to practice creating space for your intuition to be heard. Remember, the more you consciously trust your gut in small decisions, the easier it becomes to access this wisdom when facing bigger challenges.
Action Step ~~
Choose just ONE technique from this post to practice this week.
Start small—try the 3-minute grounding exercise before your next decision, or schedule a specific 15-minute "worry time" tomorrow.
I’d love to hear your experiences — share them in the comments below!
Note: Terms like "crisis-compounded indecision" originated in this blog series
and are © Jami Gibson 2025.
Missing Part of the Series?
Click below to read to catch up with the "Decision-Making Confidence" series.
Want more tips on quieting your overthinking mind? Download my free guide, “Stop Overthinking: Your Escape Plan to Confidence,” Or join our Facebook group, Tackling Procrastination Together at 50+, for community support.
Let's quiet that mental spin cycle — you've got this!
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