Anxiety or Intuition: how to tell the difference

Many people struggle with knowing whether a thought is coming from anxiety and fear or from intuition. I’ve experienced this myself, and I’ve seen many clients face the same challenge. It’s not always easy to tell the difference, especially in stressful situations.

When anxiety takes over, it often shows up in the way we speak and react. You might start talking faster or louder, or find yourself stuttering as you try to get your words out. This usually happens when you feel under pressure during a disagreement, a conflict, or a situation where someone’s tone feels harsh or overpowering. Your body goes into fight-or-flight mode, and your words can get lost in that rush of emotion.

Sometimes, anxiety can even make it hard to speak at all. You might feel frozen or overwhelmed, as if the other person’s energy has completely taken over. When that happens, it’s important to pause.

If you ever find yourself in that space, try this simple breathing exercise:
Inhale for four counts.
Hold for four counts.
Exhale for four counts.

Repeat this cycle a few times. You’ll notice that your attention shifts away from your racing thoughts and into your body. This is where your intuition lives calm, centered, and steady.

Anxiety is loud, rushed, and full of “what ifs.”
Intuition is quiet, confident, and clear.

When you take a moment to breathe and slow down, you make space for your intuition to speak. It won’t come from panic or fear. It will feel peaceful and certain, even if it doesn’t give you all the answers right away.

Learning to tell the difference between the two takes practice, patience, and self-awareness. But with time, you’ll begin to recognize that calm inner voice that always leads you back to balance.

With love,

Christine