We are increasingly living in an almost police-state society, where we are told how to look, what to buy and who we can like and not like. So it’s more important than ever, to tune out from politics, celebrity and monarchy obsession and the media, and live true to your own values.
Trusting your heart feels hard when overthinking takes over, but finding confidence in your own feelings can bring more peace and better choices. When you listen to what your heart tells you, life seems to fall into place more easily.
You have permission to walk away from anything that doesn’t feel right. Trust your instincts and listen to your inner-voice – it’s trying to protect you. Bryant McGill
When we trust and follow our instincts, we are living authentically. We are making choices that are aligned with who we are. Fran Sorin
Listen to the wind, it talks. Listen to the silence, it speaks. Listen to your heart, it knows. Native American Proverb
Notice What Feels Right
Start by paying close attention to how situations make you feel. Take note of when you feel energised or calm, as this usually means you’re in line with what matters to you. If something feels uncomfortable or heavy, don’t ignore it.
Your heart often speaks with subtle cues, like a sense of ease or tension. Over time, you’ll spot these signals faster.
Get to Know Yourself
Understanding yourself helps you trust your gut. Spend some time reflecting on your values, likes, and dislikes. Write down what matters to you. Notice patterns in your decisions and how they made you feel after.
The more you know about yourself, the easier it gets to separate your own wants from what others expect.
Tune Out Outside Noise
Other people will always have opinions, but only you know what feels right for you. Limit time spent seeking advice from too many sources. Social media and even well-meaning friends can cloud your judgement.
Learn to spot when outside noise is drowning out your own voice. Trusting your heart grows easier when you give it room to be heard.
Accept That Doubt is Normal
Even the most confident people feel unsure at times. Doubt doesn’t mean you’re wrong; it’s a part of making choices. When you notice yourself second-guessing, pause and reassure yourself that it’s okay to feel unsure.
This stops doubt from taking the driver’s seat and lets you move forward even without all the answers.
Learn from Past Choices
Think about times when you followed your heart and what happened. Even choices that didn’t go to plan can teach you something. Looking back can show you how strong your intuition is and build trust for next time.
Use these lessons as reminders that your heart often leads you in the right direction, even if it doesn’t look perfect at first.
Practise Making Small Decisions
If big choices make you freeze, start with small ones. Pick what you want for dinner without overthinking. Choose a weekend activity based on what feels good, not what should be done.
Each decision where you trust your heart adds up, making bigger decisions easier later on.
Be Patient with Yourself
Building self-trust doesn’t happen in a day. There will be mistakes and missteps, but those are signs of growth. Give yourself credit for every time you listen to your heart, even if it feels awkward.
Over time, you’ll find things feel less forced and more natural.
How Loving Others Help You Receive Love
It’s quite sad these days that many people in England seem to hate each other! If it’s not people bickering in the street, you turn on the TV and find MPs shouting at each other, and reality programs that seem to be just about egging people on to be nasty to one another.
Read our post on reasons to avoid bullying TV shows like Big Brother, The Apprentice and The Traitors – all just encourage nastiness and lying in society. We’re better than that.
It’s no secret that in order to receive love, you have to give out some love. Or as Aussie writer Andrew Matthews puts it more bluntly:
If you smack someone in the mouth, someone else will smack you back in the mouth.
Builds Trust and Openness
Showing love creates a safe space for others to do the same. When people see you care, they let their guard down. Trust grows bit by bit, making it easier for honest feelings to flow both ways. A secure bond built on trust helps you both give and get love without fear.
Sets a Positive Example
When you show love, you set the standard for those around you. Acts of kindness and patience can encourage friends, family, and even strangers to act the same way.
Your actions create a ripple effect, where others feel comfortable returning the same kind of warmth.
We see sometimes with couples who have divorced. One puts the other ex-partner down in front of the child, who then learns that love is not the feeling by default.
Deepens Connections
Love pulls people closer. Whether it’s a simple compliment or lending a hand, reaching out to others makes bonds stronger. People remember those moments long after they happen. These small acts turn into lasting memories that shape stronger relationships.
Encourages Emotional Honesty
Loving others makes it easier for them to share how they really feel. When you listen and offer support, people know it’s safe to be themselves. In turn, they’re more likely to open up and return the same genuine feelings to you.
Boosts Your Own Self-Worth
Giving love helps you feel better about yourself. Acts of kindness remind you that you have something valuable to give. This confidence isn’t lost on others.
It attracts people who want to share that same energy, growing the love around you.
Inspires Acts of Kindness
When you lead with love, others often follow suit. Friends might surprise you with a kind word or simple gesture. Even strangers can pick up the positive mood and respond with their own acts of caring. This back-and-forth grows a network of support.
Breaks Down Barriers
Love helps smash through stubbornness, pride, or fear. When you keep showing care—even when it’s tough—you slowly break down walls.
This makes room for real connection, helping others drop their guard so love can flow both ways.
Creates a More Joyful Environment
Loving others lights up every space you’re in. A smile, a thank you, or a helping hand changes the mood in a room. People are drawn to that kind of energy, and they want to give it back.
Makes You More Approachable
Kindness and care make you easier to talk to. People are more likely to trust you, connect with you, and share their own kindness in return. This starts a healthy cycle of kindness and trust that fuels lasting love.
Leaves a Lasting Legacy
The way you love shapes how you’ll be remembered. Even small acts have a way of sticking with people. They pay your kindness forward, keeping the cycle of love going long after you’re gone.
Compassion is Not a Pie!
In her animal welfare book Thanking the Monkey, Karen Dawn writes that ‘compassion is not a pie’. Love is not a big tart, where if you take a slice out to love animals, it means you don’t care about children with cancer.
Love Yourself, to Love Others
If you don’t love yourself, how will anyone else love you? Figure out why you hate yourself first, fix that. Then give love to others, and you’ll likely find more love comes back to you!
If you don’t love yourself, you won’t be happy with yourself. If you can’t love yourself, you can’t love anyone else. You can’t give the love you do not have. You can’t make anyone love you without loving yourself first. Kemi Sogunle
