It can be hard to tap into intuition with all the external noise that bombards us on a daily basis. Work, family demands, social media, electronics, etc. can be so overwhelming that we don’t give ourselves time to check in with ourselves. Our gut can be telling us to pause to listen to our intuition, but many times we don’t take the time to stop and we just push through.

I know in my own life that there have been times when something didn’t feel right, but I did it anyway. Some of these times I listened to others instead of following my gut. I wasn’t paying attention to what my inner voice was saying and this didn’t lead to me to the best possible outcome. But I’ve found when I take a pause and reflect, I can weed out my inner fear or fear of disappointing others and make better decisions.

It’s important that we take a moment to connect with our intuition. Below are 10 tips to help get started.

1. Set a Morning Intention To Be Open To New Ideas

It’s important that we are flexible and open to new ways of thinking. A great idea can come from an unexpected place or person, even a stranger, so don’t disregard something because of the source. And if something hasn’t worked in the past, maybe there is a new way to look at it. A change in direction can lead to something beautiful. Set a daily intention such as, “I am open to change and new possibilities.”

2. Trust Your Intuitive Gut

If something doesn’t feel right, pause, be still, and connect with yourself. Your gut just may be trying to tell you something, even if you’re not sure what it is. When something feels off or just may not feel right, this is the time to reflect and listen to you intuition.

3. Start an Intuition Idea Journal

Have a journal to write down your intuitive ideas and inspiration. Your intuition may be trying to direct you to something new.

4. Cultivate Curiosity

This has been one of the best tools I’ve used to connect with my intuition. When I follow my curiosity, it can lead me in a different or totally unexpected turn for the better.

5. Spend Time in Nature

Nature has a way to slow us down and inspire us to connect to our intuition which can spark creativity.

6. Intuitive Free Writing

Free writing is just sitting down and write. Don’t analyze or try to correct spelling at this point. Just write for 5 to 10 minutes and let the words flows. You never know what will appear. Free writing helps to bypass the logical mind to connect to your intuition and creativity.

7. Be Still

Sit in silence or meditate for 10-15 minutes. You can just focus on your breathe if you wish. And when the mind drifts, and it will, just bring your awareness back to your breath. Be gentle with yourself. When you let go of all the external noise, you can discover your inner wisdom.

8. Day Dream to Connect to Your Intuition

Let your mind wander. Day dream and let intuitive inspiration appear. A few moments a day can help you to develop the practice. And the more you do it, the easier you will fall into a deeper state where you can receive even more inspiration.

9. Dream Journal

Capture your dreams. Take a journal or notepad and place by your bed. When you wake up from a dream, record it. Your subconscious could be talking to you. Reflect and interpret the messages, then work on the ideas that resonate with you. Are you receiving similar messages? Do you feel nudged to do something? Trust that your intuition is trying to tell you something.

10. Be Grateful for Your Intuition

Thank your intuition for its wisdom. Be open to what your inner voice is saying to you. Messages, opportunities, and coincidences will appear to let you know if you are on the right path. When you increase your gratitude, more things to be grateful for will appear.

Practice and tune in to your intuition. The more you do it, the easier you will be able to access it. Pause, reflect, and follow the flow that is right for you.

Intuition helps to point us in the right direction. Trust in it. The question is, “Are we paying attention?”