Self-Defense Lesson - Intuition
Photo description: Berry pink background with three arms and fists of different skin tones raised in the air. Font says, “Self-defense lesson: Listening to our INTUITION.” (and becoming the HERO of your own story!)”
Have you ever had the feeling that something was not quite right - even if you didn’t know why?
GIF description: A girl eating Jello sees something that makes her uncomfortable and afraid.
When you feel that dread in the pit of your stomach? Or that weird tingling sensation on the back of your neck? Has it ever made you feel uncomfortable when someone comes up behind you?
GIF description: a man turns around as an intimidating man is standing directly behind him.
That feeling is your INTUITION. Your intuition is a gift meant to help you STAY SAFE!
Have you ever felt someone lean in WAY TOO CLOSE?
GIF description: Man not wearing a shirt leans into and bumps a woman’s face as she is riding a bus.
Or hug you for longer than you felt comfortable? Or touch you in a way that didn’t feel right? That feeling in your stomach or on the back of your neck and head is your body sounding off an alarm - Something is not right! GET ME OUT OF HERE!
GIF description: a meter needle shows that there is danger
The problem is that we don’t always listen to, or even recognize, our gift of intuition. We have been taught over and over again to not trust our instincts. Think about it:
“Come give (CREEPY) Uncle George a hug!”
GIF caption: Stephen Colbert trying to give a creepy hug.
“You can’t wear that. Put on longer shorts/higher neckline/looser top/more modest option.”
GIF description: Moira from Schitt’s Creek saying, “Is this what everyone’s wearing?”
“I can’t stand him touching me, but I really need this job.”
GIF description: The Office cast - Toby putting his hand on Pam’s knee, and Jim looking at it with disgust.
“I don’t know what to do. What if I make the wrong decision?!”
Or staying so busy we can’t slow down and LISTEN to our gut instincts.
GIF description: Pirate yelling, “Im a little busy at the moment!”
As girls and women, we have been taught, and conditioned ourselves, to ignore our intuition for the sake of being polite. We try to explain away that funny feeling to keep the peace. We make excuses for the people around us who make us feel uncomfortable to not embarrass them or ourselves. The longer we ignore that very special gift of intuition, the harder it becomes to hear it. When we listen to and follow our gift of intuition and gut instincts, we have a better chance of keeping ourselves and others around us SAFE!
GIF description: Woman in a ball cap and glasses is expressing with her arms and saying, “This is a safe space.”
Photo description: Same as the first photo - Berry pink background with three arms and fists of different skin tones raised in the air. Font says, “Self-defense lesson: Listening to our INTUITION.” (and becoming the HERO of your own story!)”