Intuition vs. Overthinking: How to Tell the Difference

Have you ever felt a strong inner knowing about something, only to second-guess yourself moments later? One of the biggest challenges on the spiritual journey is learning to distinguish between intuition and overthinking. Intuition speaks in quiet certainty, while overthinking brings confusion and doubt. But how do you tell them apart?

Understanding the difference can help you trust your inner guidance, make aligned decisions, and feel more connected to your spiritual path. Here’s how to recognise whether you’re tapping into your intuition or just overanalysing a situation.

The Nature of Intuition
Intuition is a deep, inner knowing that comes from your higher self. It isn’t based on logic, over-analysis, or external validation—it simply “knows.”

• It feels calm and clear – Intuitive nudges don’t come with anxiety or urgency; they bring clarity and peace.

• It arises effortlessly – True intuition doesn’t require hours of deliberation. It’s immediate, like a whisper or a gut feeling.

• It’s often subtle, yet persistent – Intuition may not shout, but it continues to nudge you in a particular direction until you listen.

• It’s aligned with your highest good – Intuition leads you toward expansion, alignment, and authenticity, even if it feels uncomfortable at first.

The Nature of Overthinking
Overthinking, on the other hand, is driven by fear, doubt, and external influences. It pulls you out of alignment and creates mental noise rather than clarity.

• It feels chaotic and uncertain – Overthinking creates stress, anxiety, and a never-ending loop of “what if” scenarios.

• It’s rooted in fear and past conditioning – Instead of trusting the present moment, overthinking tries to control every possible outcome.

• It seeks external validation – Overthinking often leads to constant second-guessing and seeking reassurance from others.

• It’s mentally exhausting – Unlike intuition, which feels light and clear, overthinking drains your energy and leaves you feeling stuck.

How to Tell the Difference
If you’re unsure whether you’re experiencing intuition or overthinking, try asking yourself:

• How does it feel? Intuition feels peaceful, while overthinking feels anxious and pressured.

• Is it simple or complex? Intuition is a simple, direct knowing. Overthinking is tangled in analysis and doubt.

• Am I trying to force an answer? If you’re pushing for clarity instead of receiving it naturally, you may be overthinking.

• Have I felt this before? Intuition often shows up as a repeated feeling or knowing that doesn’t go away.

Practices to Strengthen Intuition & Quiet Overthinking
If you struggle with overthinking, these practices can help you tune into intuition more clearly:

• Meditation & Breathwork – Stillness helps quiet the mind so intuitive messages can come through.

• Journaling & Automatic Writing – Writing down your thoughts allows intuition to flow naturally without mental interference.

• Body Awareness – Pay attention to how a decision feels in your body. Intuition often feels like expansion, while overthinking feels like contraction.

• Trusting the First Feeling – Intuition speaks first; fear and doubt follow. Learn to trust your initial sense.

• Spending Time in Nature – Being in natural environments helps you reconnect with your inner guidance.

Learning to distinguish between intuition and overthinking is a skill that strengthens over time. The more you practice trusting your inner guidance, the easier it becomes to move through life with confidence and alignment.

If you’d love to explore this topic on a deeper level, consider joining The Circle on my Patreon. Inside, I share exclusive insights, spiritual teachings, and tools to strengthen your intuition and energy alignment. Join today and start deepening your intuitive practice. 🤍