Special K over at The Special K Treatment has posed an awesome challenge  about intuition and trusting ourselves that I want to participate in, and think many of us could benefit from.

As she notes, all too often, we’re discouraged by our own thoughts, by what we “should” have done but didn’t do, by what we ought to be doing vs. what we are doing. We have lost that sense of trust that we have as children. We’re preoccupied with what others will think, and it often paralyzes us from listening to our gut–I know I struggle with this a lot.

Adding insult to injury, we live in a world where we’re barraged with messages about how we “need” to look younger, be thinner, dress better. (Be smarter isn’t usually outwardly encouraged, yet clearly that ought to trump all).

By their very nature and existence, the diet and fashion industries tell us (quite implicitly) that we don’t/shouldn’t trust ourselves and “need” them to thrive/succeed/be beautiful.

With all that pressure, it’s hard not to fall victim. I have a deep appreciation for those who come away from their teenage and young adult lives scar-free and with a strong sense of self.

Special K asks us how we can trust ourselves … to make those decisions on our own, based on our own intuition. We know ourselves better than we think we do. We’ve just been jaded by mixed messages out there.

What area(s) of your life require more intuition and trust? Health? Financial? Career? Personal? Love? Goals?

Today, just for today, make it a goal to trust yourself a little more in whatever area you’re struggling in. And then try to do it for a whole week.

I think you know my goal is about eating and exercising intuitively … giving it another shot today.

How about you? How can you trust yourself more?