Recently, I came across the term, trust life, so I’m thinking, what is that supposed to mean? What are they talking about? This reads like more-fluff-soul-stuff to me.

Reducing complex, vague and convoluted ideas and concepts into something that people can recognise, relate to and utilise is what I do. I wouldn’t be a teacher and a coach if I didn’t. So I start to reflect on the meaning of trust and life. Using a stream of consciousness approach, I ask my inner self more questions. What does it mean to trust life? What is life? What is trust? What drives life? How do I trust this driver of life? Do I trust it? You get the idea.

What were the answers?

To trust life means to trust the innate human urge to survive. The urge to survive is within everyone. Surviving is something you are built to do. Body, soul and spirit. You have the tools to survive. So use them.

What are the tools? How do I use them?

Your intuition is your inner guide. It uses positive messages to show you the way forward. Your inner critic uses negative messages that can steer you away from or towards, where you’re meant to be.

I’ve written about this before. I’m referring to the Saboteur archetype.

When you tap into the symbolic power of an archetype, you’re tapping into a universal resource of unlimited information about human characteristics and behaviour.

The Saboteur archetype represents your intuition. And, there are two sides to intuition. Your inner guide and your inner critic. Both play significant roles in decision-making and self-guidance. It’s a dynamic that can influence your life’s path in a positive or negative way.

When your intuition functions as your inner guide, it provides positive messages because it’s grounded in your inner wisdom and authentic self. It’s in tune with your true desires and purpose. For example, you’re considering a career change. Your intuition might send positive messages, encouraging you to follow your passion. You feel a sense of excitement and alignment with your true career path.

Whereas the inner critic, and it’s voice of doubt, tends to send negative messages because it’s driven by fear, self-doubt, and past experiences, but in its heart of hearts, the inner critic’s purpose is to protect you from perceived risks. Suppose you have an opportunity to start a new business. Your inner critic might bombard you with negative messages by highlighting the potential for failure, financial insecurity, the risk of theft of intellectual property, and criticism from others.

Meanwhile, your intuition can act as a positive influence on your life path. It can steer you forward as it guides you toward actions that align with your authentic self and your purpose. It provides insights that resonate with your deepest desires and values. As a positive influence, your intuition encourages you to take calculated risks in pursuit of satisfaction and fulfilment. It fosters a sense of alignment and harmony when you make choices based on its positive guidance.

Whereas the inner critic’s impact on your life path creates self-doubt, causing you to hesitate and miss opportunities.

The inner critic can also work the other way. It preys on your fear of missing out. FOMO can stop you from thinking things through, leading you to be make impulsive and irrational decisions.

Constant negative self-talk creates anxiety and hinders progress, making you more susceptible to stagnation. And if the inner critic dominates your decision-making, it can lead to a life driven by fear rather than your authentic desires. The inner critic has the power to steer you away from taking necessary risks that could lead to success.

When you find a balance between both voices you can reduce self-sabotage and learn to trust your intuition as the back bone of your life. Your intuition, as the inner guide, can be cultivated and listened to, while the inner critic’s messages are meant to be heard and acknowledged, in the same way you might heed a warning, but you don’t need to let it rule your decision making. Striking a balance means you can be a healthy skeptic taking healthy risks. When in harmony, both of these internal voices can help you make well-informed decisions that honour your true self and your path, and at the same time allow you to consider potential challenges and risks.