Stop Trying to Figure It All Out, Part 1: How To Quiet The Overthinking Mind & Follow Your Instinct!!
Why trusting your inner conviction may be the most intelligent move you can make.
“If there’s doubt in your mind… how can your muscles know what they are expected to do?”
A Note from Me
Hi, I’m Jessica.
If you're someone who tends to overthink or overanalyze every decision, this one's for you!
I wrote this article because I’ve personally seen how many of us—including the smartest, most ambitious people, especially me,—get trapped in the mental loop of trying to solve everything with intelligence and logic.
What I’ve learned (and what neuroscience confirms) is that the body often knows what the mind is too busy to hear.
This article is your invitation to pause the mental chatter, tune into your inner wisdom, and learn to trust that quiet voice inside you. The one that always knew the way.
Let’s get into it.
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The Trap of Overthinking
We live in a world that praises intelligence and analysis.
We’re told to think things through, make pros and cons lists, and Google every possible answer before making a decision. While critical thinking is useful, there’s a point where too much thinking becomes a barrier.
We end up overthinking instead of acting. Analyzing instead of trusting. Looping instead of living.
The truth is this: Some of the most pivotal decisions in your life aren’t made by intellect. They’re made by instinct. And the more you learn to recognize and trust that instinct, the more powerful and aligned your life becomes.
Instinct vs. Intelligence: Two Ways of Knowing
Intelligence is analytical.
It operates in language, logic, and timelines. It compares, calculates, and concludes.
Instinct is somatic.
It lives in the body. It senses, feels, and knows—often before your conscious mind catches up.
Where intelligence says, “Here are five reasons why this is the right decision,” instinct simply says, “This is right.”
Your instinct is not impulsive or reckless. It’s built on a lifetime of subconscious pattern recognition. It’s your nervous system’s way of saying, “I’ve seen this before, and I know what to do.”
Intelligence is the GPS & Instinct is the Compass.
A GPS gives you a calculated route based on data. (Intelligence)
A compass tells you where true north is—no matter where you are. (Instinct)
Both are useful, but only one works when the signal is lost.
Sometimes, life throws you into terrain your brain doesn’t know how to map. That’s when instinct—your inner compass—becomes essential.
The Science: Transient Hypofrontality
Now let’s get into the neuroscience.
There’s a phenomenon called transient hypofrontality—a temporary reduction in activity in the prefrontal cortex, the brain region responsible for complex thinking, self-criticism, and future planning.
This happens when:
You’re fully immersed in a flow state.
You’re meditating or practicing mindfulness.
You’re engaged in rhythmic exercise (walking, running, swimming).
You’re doing something that suspends analytical thought and activates presence.
In this state, the "thinking mind" quiets down. The brain becomes less self-conscious, less critical—and more intuitive.
Studies show that when the prefrontal cortex powers down, people often:
Feel more connected to themselves.
Make more creative, aligned decisions.
Access deeper emotional intelligence.
In other words, turning off your brain (or at least dialing down the noise) lets your instinct rise.
Why Your Gut Might Be Smarter
Your gut—yes, your literal gastrointestinal system—is lined with over 100 million neurons.
It’s called the enteric nervous system, or "second brain." This system communicates with your brain via the vagus nerve and plays a major role in your mood, decisions, and even intuition.
You’ve probably felt this:
A pit in your stomach when something feels off.
A warm feeling when something feels right.
Butterflies of anticipation or anxiety.
Sick to your stomach when something doesn’t feel right.
These signals aren’t random. They’re your nervous system processing information faster than your conscious mind can explain it.
This is why so many people say, “I should’ve trusted my gut.”
Recognizing The Alarm: Signs of A Gut Feeling You Shouldn’t Ignore
One of the most overlooked aspects of instinct is that it often speaks through the body—not the mind.
When something feels off, it doesn’t always show up as a clear thought. It shows up as a sensation. A tightening in your stomach. A lump in your throat. A subtle feeling of dread or even an unexplained fatigue after making a decision.
We often override these feelings with logic:
“It doesn’t make sense to back out now.”
“Everyone else seems fine with it.”
“I should be grateful for this opportunity.”
However, your body knows before your mind can explain. This is your gut intelligence in action—and it’s not random.
It’s a real-time signal from your nervous system, built over millions of years of evolution, designed to keep you aligned, safe, and centered.
Here are some common signs of a gut feeling to pay attention to:
A wave of nausea or “sick to your stomach” sensation.
Tightness in your chest or shallow breathing when you consider an option.
A sudden drop in energy after agreeing to something.
An inner “no” that feels like tension, even if you smile or say “yes.”
A subtle sense of peace or clarity when you're on the right track (instinct isn’t always a warning — it can be affirming too)
Instead of trying to “figure it out,” feel it out. — If your gut says no and your brain says maybe, let your gut win more often. You don’t need to explain your instinct to others, but you do need to learn how to hear it.
How To Access Instinct: Tools for Everyday Life
1. Silence the Noise
To hear your inner knowing, you have to reduce the external noise.
Turn off your phone or put it in airplane mode for 10 minutes.
Sit in silence.
Ask yourself a question. Then don’t answer it. Just listen.
Instinct doesn’t shout. It whispers.
2. Move Your Body
Movement changes brain states.
Go for a walk after asking a question.
Dance, run, or stretch.
Let your body process what your brain can’t.
Move your body when stressed out.
This engages transient hypofrontality and clears mental clutter.
3. Journal First, Think Later
Writing helps externalize thought.
Dump all your mental chatter and racing thoughts or ideas on paper. Then close the notebook.
Ask yourself: What do I already know to be true?
That’s often the real answer.
4. Use The Body Compass Method
Sit quietly with a question. Then pay attention to your body.
Does your chest feel tight or open?
Is your stomach calm or uneasy?
Do you feel energized or drained?
These physical cues are your nervous system responding faster than your intellect can rationalize.
5. Practice Small Decisions First
Build the muscle of instinct with low-stakes choices:
What do I feel like eating?
Do I want to go to this event or not?
Should I take the scenic route today?
Over time, you’ll develop trust in your own internal authority.
Instinct is Not Opposed to Intelligence
This isn’t about throwing your logic out the window.
It’s about using both tools—intellect and instinct—in harmony.
Here’s how I think about it:
Intelligence solves problems.
Instinct senses direction.
Use your instinct to choose where you’re going. Then use intelligence to build the map.
‼️Common Signs You’re Ignoring Your Instinct
You feel a constant tug or resistance toward something—but keep rationalizing it away.
You get stuck in loops of overthinking and indecision.
You have physical symptoms (gut discomfort, tension) around a situation you’re trying to “think your way through.”
When this happens, try stepping away from the problem—and into the body.
Final Thoughts
The most aligned decisions I’ve ever made came not from spreadsheets, but from stillness.
They came when I gave myself permission to stop solving and start listening.
We don’t need more information. We need more self-trust.
So this week, when your brain starts spinning or you’re tempted to overanalyze, ask yourself:
“What do I already know, deep down?”
Then, give that answer a chance to speak.
It just might be the smartest thing you’ve ever done.
🌀 Recommended Practice
This week, try the 3-Step Instinct Check-In each morning:
Sit for 5 minutes in silence.
Ask yourself: What do I need today?
Listen to your body’s first answer—before your mind talks you out of it.
📝 Journaling Prompt
Think of a time when you ignored your instinct. What happened?
Now think of a time you followed it. What did that feel like?
What would your life look like if you trusted yourself just 10% more?
Thank you for reading this article.
Until next Sunday,
—Jessica
Your 2am friend who actually gets it
“You must be 100 percent committed to each action. If there are any doubts in your mind, your muscles wont know what to do. Let your routines switch you from the thinking mode to trusting mode.” —Harvey Penick
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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.
Thanks for this 🫶🫡
Way to go,