Listening to Your Inner Voice

My grandmother used to talk about something she called confirmation, and my mother did as well. It’s when God, the Universe, or maybe your inner voice tells you when you are on the right or wrong path. Skeptics may claim that it’s a coincidence, but I, for one, am a believer in listening to your inner voice.

When my parents moved us from New York to Maryland, our new home was off Westbury Lane. Westbury was the name of the town we were moving from during relocation. When my husband and I were buying a new house, we found a neighborhood off Ryan Road, and Ryan was the name of our son. Silly? Perhaps.

My father used to tell me that I should always listen to my intuition. New job but feel sick about the opportunity? It’s not for you. Relationship with huge red flags? Been there. There were clear signs that a relationship or friendship was toxic and when I ignored those signs, heartbreak inevitably followed. Years ago I learned that God sometimes whispers truths in your ear and if you continue to ignore those truths, that voice will become so loud that it is impossible to ignore.

In midlife, I’m finding that I am listening to my inner voice. She’s trained me. No longer am I doubting or living in fear of what she’s saying. The most impactful change in my life has been something I’ve stopped doing. I no longer justify or rationalize another person’s toxic behavior. When someone tells me who they are, I now believe them. Gone are the days where I make excuses or try to understand them. There is nothing to understand. Sometimes others are simply not your people.

And that’s OK.

I don’t think midlife is so much about not having time for bullshit, I think it’s about finally trusting your own judgment and inner voice. And when you do that, you can live your best life.