Follow Your Instincts

By Dorothy J. Hill

Follow Your Instincts

Whenever you have a feeling in your gut or gumption to say or do something, most of the time it is the right thing to follow through with. Unfortunately, we often second guess ourselves in situations, most of the time on an exam if you are unsure of an answer and in just about any situation because you may have a hesitant moment wondering if you should or shouldn't do what you're thinking of. Depending on the type of situation it is, you may find yourself looking back saying you 'should, could, or would haves' and the difference it would have possibly made, but everything really does happen for a reason. As I said before for every action, there will always be a reaction. From that point you just have to accept that what's done is done, there's no turning back.

Last week I mentioned that I consider myself as a revolutionary individual and how that isn't always the best thing. I experienced first-hand the consequences of too many non-chalant reactions to situations. I was in a situation I didn't want to be in but I didn't expect to be separated from it the way I was.

Here are some suggestions on how to avoid as many situations like this as possible. At the moment you get that notion to react a certain way and it is appropriate for what you're dealing with, follow through with it. If you are dealing with something that you are unsure of how to handle it, try to talk to someone. That someone should be an objective listener who will tell you what you need to hear and not just what you want to hear. Often times, we tend to falter from what should be done because of hearing something that did not aid in solving the problem at hand.

There are many resources available to you; you just have to utilize them when necessary. For example, if you have built a positive rapport with your professor, you can go to them for some assistance. You can even go to the advising department. Though they are here primarily to assist you with choosing classes and maintaining order with your academics, they can also help you personally if you needed them to. There are people all over the campus who act as mentors and it may also be possible to seek advice from your supervisor. Of course, there is always Counseling Services. Now I know, you’re thinking “Counseling? That’s for people who have serious problems. Makes me feel like I’m going to a shrink.” Well, that is not exactly the case. You can consider them as advisers too. The Student Success Program may be able to help, too. Don’t forget about your friends and family, I’m sure they know you better than anyone at SXU, so it would be great to go to more than one source to help you get things back in order.

If you feel you are at your wit's end, take a moment for yourself and step back to view things through a bigger picture. You are not always right, as much as you may want to be. If you come to a point where you're tired of how something is, take the time to regroup and regain your composure. Go back and find self. If you get to the point where you saying “I just don’t know what to do”, then you should probably seek an outside source to help you figure things out. Try to be considerate of the others involved and take a step into their shoes. This will help in identifying where the problem may lie, if it is not within you.

Looking back on my most recent situation, if I would have just gone to talk to someone about my problem instead of behaving and reacting to the situation negatively, then none of this would have happened. I had the gut feeling to go and talk to my other party but second guessed myself thinking that it would have made things worse. In hindsight, it probably would have made things better, but what’s done is done and there is no turning back.

Life doesn’t have a pause or rewind button. It is nothing like what is portrayed on television, but we often get caught up in that fantasy life thinking that we can do and get what we want at the snap of a finger, but it doesn’t work that way. Stop second guessing yourself. If you know who you are and what you possess mentally, be confident and go for it. Don’t hold yourself back or “self-sabotage”, it’s not worth it. Live in the moment and follow your instincts. If it’s a girl or a guy that you are feeling, go for it. If it’s a job and you have ideas to make things better, voice it. If you’re out shopping for a pair of shoes, a nice pair of pants or shirt, splurge on it.

Some things happen once in a lifetime and other things you may be able to get a second chance to make a better decision. Either way, don’t hesitate or be afraid. Go for it and follow your instincts. What’s the worst that can happen? Being told yes or no in most situations? It’s called life, my friend, and you only get to live it once, so make the most out of it while you still have the opportunity.

Be strong, confident, and trust yourself. You have it in you. Peace and blessings.

Dorothy J. Hill is a senior from Chicago, IL. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance. Dorothy is a Student Ambassador and currently serves as the Training Coordinator at Saint Xavier.