Rebuilding The Bridge, Part 3: How To Fully Trust Yourself Again (And Live From Instinct)
You've done the healing. Now it’s time to come home to yourself.
“It’s the things you say no to that really show your commitment to your growth.”
A Note from Me
Hi, I’m Jessica.
This is the final piece in a deeply personal series I’ve written for NP Fellow on the journey back to inner trust.
If you’ve been following since Part 1, you know we started by exploring the battle between instinct and intelligence—and how transient hypofrontality lets us slip out of mental overdrive and into body-based knowing.
Then in Part 2, we mapped out the spiral path from disconnection to micro-awareness to tiny decisions that help us begin rebuilding trust with ourselves.
Now in Part 3, we bring it all home.
This is about fully embodying the shift. About choosing to live instinctually—moment to moment—even if your past told you not to. This isn’t about perfection.
It’s about flow.
And it’s about reclaiming what was always yours.
Let’s begin.
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Phase 1: Disconnection
We all start here.
Maybe your disconnection was caused by chronic stress, trauma, a hyper-intellectual environment, or just years of being taught that your emotions couldn’t be trusted.
Disconnection from your instinct doesn’t always feel like a dramatic collapse.
Sometimes, it’s subtle: indecision, self-doubt, analysis paralysis.
You don’t know what to eat, what to say, or what you even want. You’re living in your head—and ignoring your body’s signals.
But instinct doesn’t disappear, it just waits.
Your inner knowing is not broken. It’s buried. And this article is about unearthing it.
Phase 2: Micro-Awareness & Tiny Decisions
The way back isn’t dramatic.
It begins with a whisper. A moment. A pause.
You notice your stomach tightening before you say "yes" to something that doesn’t feel right.
You feel the buzz of anxiety after scrolling too long.
You observe that you always feel energized after a walk, even if your mind resists.
These are your micro-clues. They’re your instinct tapping you on the shoulder.
Every tiny decision to listen builds momentum.
Over time, your nervous system learns that you are safe to follow your truth. It learns that your inner signals are valid.
And your instinct—once buried under logic and fear—starts speaking louder.
This is what I call the recalibration window. It’s fragile, sacred, and nonlinear. Keep going.
Phase 3: Inner Clarity & Embodied Knowing
Once you build this consistency, something incredible happens.
You start to feel clear. Not from thinking harder, but from tuning in quicker.
You wake up and know what’s needed. You feel a situation and know when to walk away.
You recognize that stomach drop as a no—and a spine-tingling calm as a yes.
This is inner clarity.
It’s not about certainty—it’s about coherence.
Your actions start aligning with your body’s cues.
You’re no longer outsourcing your decisions.
You’re becoming the bridge between wisdom and action.
This is instinctual living.
Spotting Your Gut Feeling (And Trusting It)
Many of us ignore our gut feelings because we were taught to override them with logic, but your gut is your oldest operating system.
It evolved for survival—and it speaks in sensation, not sentences.
Common signs your gut instinct is speaking:
A sick or sinking feeling when something is wrong.
A buzzing, tight chest before making the wrong decision.
A sudden sense of calm when you land on the right choice.
Goosebumps, chills, or energy spikes during moments of alignment.
Dread or fatigue when heading in the wrong direction.
Your body isn’t betraying you. It’s alerting you. And the more you tune in, the louder the signal becomes.
Start honoring these signals like alarm bells—and like compass needles. They are both.
How To Practice Instinctual Living (Daily)
Here are 5 practical ways to make instinctual living your default state:
Body Scan Before Every Decision.
Ask: "How does this feel in my chest, stomach, jaw, or shoulders?"
30 Minutes of No Input Per Day.
No screens, no podcasts, no articles. Just space to hear your own voice again.
Follow the 5-Second Body Cue Rule.
If your body sends a signal within 5 seconds, pause and honor it before your mind jumps in.
Track Instinct Wins in a Journal.
Keep a list of times your instinct was right. Build evidence of trust.
Stop Explaining Your No.
Not everything needs to be rationalized. Your instinct is reason enough.
Personal Reflection
There was a time in my life where I ignored my gut daily.
I said yes when I meant no. I stayed silent when something felt off.
I let logic lead—and ended up exhausted or feeling sick to my stomach.
But slowly, I started listening.
At first, it was messy.
My instinct whispered, and I doubted it. Then I started writing it down. Honoring it. Backing it up with action. And everything changed.
Now, instinct is how I live.
This series came from that shift. And my hope is that it helps you trust your inner world again.
Final Thoughts: The Final Spiral
Here’s the path we’ve mapped:
🌀Disconnection → Micro-Awareness → Tiny Decisions → Inner Clarity → Instinctual Living🌀
Not a straight line. A spiral. One that brings you closer to yourself with every loop.
Every time you choose instinct over overthinking, you reclaim a piece of you.
And that’s the point of all of this.
You’re not broken. Your inner knowing never left you.
You’re just remembering.
Welcome home.
Thank you for reading this article.
Until next Sunday,
—Jessica
Your 2am friend who actually gets it
“When chaos is all around you, the wisest choice is to create peace within you. Your peace shines outward and supports the creation of a new harmony.” —Yung Pueblo
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This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.
Great read! Way to grow trust in yourself and your gut. Discernment is a great skill to have and grow. Thank you for the inspiration
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