The #1 Mistake Intuitives Make: Doubting Yourself

If you’re an intuitive, empath, or psychic, chances are you’ve experienced a moment (or a lifetime) of doubting yourself. You sense something, feel a deep knowing, or get a nudge from the universe, but then your logical brain kicks in and says, Nah, that’s just your imagination.

This, my mystical friend, is the number one mistake intuitives make—doubting their own intuitive abilities. And it’s not just a minor hiccup; it’s the very thing keeping you from fully stepping into your power.

Why Do Intuitives Doubt Themselves?

Doubt doesn’t just show up out of nowhere. It’s usually the result of conditioning, societal norms, and even ancestral trauma. Let’s dive into the core reasons behind this doubt:

1. Societal Programming

From a young age, most of us are taught to value logic over intuition. We’re encouraged to “prove” things, rely on facts, and ignore what can’t be measured. If you ever heard, That’s just a coincidence or Stop making things up, you’ve been conditioned to second-guess your intuitive abilities.

2. Fear of Being Wrong

There’s a deep-seated fear in many intuitives of being wrong. What if you misinterpret a sign? What if you get a “download” that turns out to be inaccurate? That fear keeps you stuck in analysis paralysis and disconnected from your intuitive abilities.

3. Energy Overload

Highly sensitive and intuitive people tend to absorb a lot—emotions, energy, even physical sensations from others. This can create a foggy mind, making it hard to tell the difference between true intuitive abilities and energetic interference.

4. Past Life or Ancestral Wounds

If you’ve been persecuted for your gifts in past lives (hello, witch trials) or come from a lineage where intuition was dismissed, those wounds can still be lingering in your subconscious, causing hesitation in trusting your intuitive abilities.

The Science Behind Intuition

While intuition is often seen as mystical, science is starting to back up what many of us have known all along. Studies in neuroscience show that intuition is a real, measurable phenomenon:

• The Gut-Brain Connection: The vagus nerve links the gut and brain, sending intuitive messages from the body to the mind. Ever had a “gut feeling” that turned out to be right? That’s your enteric nervous system at work.

• Pattern Recognition: The brain is a master at recognizing patterns before we consciously process them. This is why you might “just know” something before you can explain it.

• Quantum Physics & Non-Local Awareness: Some researchers suggest that consciousness isn’t just housed in the brain but exists in a larger quantum field, allowing us to tap into knowledge beyond time and space.

How to Finally Trust Your Intuitive Abilities

Now that we understand why doubt creeps in, let’s talk about how to shift from skepticism to deep, unwavering trust in your intuitive abilities.

1. Start Small & Track Your Hits

Your intuitive abilities are like a muscle—the more you use them, the stronger they get. Keep a journal of intuitive hits and note when they turn out to be accurate. Over time, you’ll build confidence in your abilities.

2. Clear Your Energy Daily

Since intuitives absorb so much, it’s crucial to clear your energy regularly. Try:

• Salt baths with herbs like lavender and rosemary
• Smudging with sage or palo santo
• Visualization techniques, like imagining golden light washing over you

3. Differentiate Intuition from Fear

A big question I get from clients is: How do I know if it’s intuition or fear? Here’s a quick guide:

• Intuition feels calm, clear, and expansive.
• Fear feels heavy, urgent, and constricting.
• Intuition doesn’t beg for attention; it whispers and nudges.

4. Use Divination as a Mirror

Tarot, pendulums, or runes aren’t just tools for predicting the future—they help you see what you already know deep down. Pull a card and ask, What am I not trusting in my intuitive abilities right now?

5. Work with Spirit Guides

You are not alone in this journey. Call on your spirit guides, ancestors, or higher self for confirmation when in doubt. Pay attention to signs, dreams, and synchronicities to enhance your intuitive abilities.

6. Practice Radical Self-Trust Rituals

• Mirror Work: Look into your own eyes and affirm, I trust my intuitive abilities completely.
• Sigil Magic: Create a sigil that represents intuitive confidence and charge it with your intention.
• Sacred Movement: Dance, shake, or move intuitively to activate your sacral chakra (your gut-knowing center).

Witchy Ways to Amplify Your Intuition

For those who love a little magic, here are some additional ways to supercharge your intuitive abilities:

Crystal Allies

• Amethyst – Enhances psychic abilities and clears mental fog.
• Labradorite – Strengthens intuition and protects your energy.
• Moonstone – Helps with emotional balance and intuitive clarity.

Moon Magic

• On the New Moon, set intentions to deepen your intuitive trust.
• On the Full Moon, do a release ritual to let go of doubts and fear.

Elemental Energy Boost

• Water: Scry with a bowl of water to receive intuitive messages.
• Earth: Bury a written doubt in the soil and let Mother Earth transmute it.
• Fire: Write your fears on paper and safely burn them to release self-doubt.
• Air: Whisper affirmations into the wind to carry your intentions forward.

When Will You Finally Trust Yourself?

The answer? Whenever you decide to.

Trust isn’t something that just happens—it’s a practice, a devotion, and a radical act of self-love. The more you choose to believe in your intuitive abilities, the louder and clearer your intuition becomes. So, let today be the day you stop doubting and start owning your gifts with confidence.

You were born with this power. Now it’s time to use it.