Our minds like to feel useful and try to complicate our lives so they have something to do. But we already know the answer to every question we have. We’re just afraid to look at the truth a lot of the time.
I’ve started to boil down every decision in my life to simple yes or no questions, so I can cut through the crap and get to the heart of the issue. Facing hard truths can be difficult, but the more we stop beating around the bush, the easier our lives become.
Trusting your gut means simplifying until the answer becomes obvious.
Simplify Everything
Decision making seems difficult, but it doesn’t have to be. The mind likes to make things seem complicated when the answer is probably very simple.
By boiling major decisions down to small yes or no questions, you can cut out the crap and get to the meat of the decision and your actual thoughts. Simplifying things brings us clarity.
Most of the complexity we experience isn’t real. It’s just the mind buying time because it doesn’t want to face the obvious answer.
Why We Avoid the Truth
The gut knows things the mind doesn’t want to accept. The gut knows this relationship isn’t working. The gut knows this job is killing your soul. The gut knows you’re playing it safe when you should be taking the leap.
We add complexity to avoid the simple truth. We make pro/con lists and gather opinions and do research because we’re hoping something will give us permission to ignore what we already know.
Trusting your gut isn’t about finding the answer. It’s about admitting you already have it.
Ask Yourself
Is this my dream job?
Is this relationship right for me?
Could I be doing more to reach my dreams?
Do I really want to be working on this project?
Am I wasting my time?
Notice how your body responds. The gut doesn’t lie. Your shoulders drop when the answer is no. Your chest opens when the answer is yes. The body knows before the mind admits it.
Asking yes or no questions is a great way to understand yourself better. Try to simplify hard questions into their essence.
Life Is a Metaphor
Look for answers to your questions all around you. Life is a big metaphor, constantly showing you what you need to see.
The answers are never as complicated as we make them. They’re usually yes or no. We just don’t want to face them.
Trusting your gut gets easier the more you practice cutting through the noise. The gut doesn’t need more information. It needs less interference.
This is shadow work in action.
If you’re ready to process what’s been running your life, explore the Shadow Work practices.