Elizabeth Jane: Gut instinct or anxiety? Why we ignore the warning signs
Announcement posted by Invigorate PR 12 Nov 2026
From bad relationships and toxic workplaces to financial decisions and everyday warning signs, Australians are being urged to stop ignoring their gut instincts and start nurturing one of their most overlooked personal strengths.
Have you ever walked into a room and immediately felt something was wrong, met someone who seemed charming but something didn't feel right, or made a decision that looked perfect on paper, only to regret ignoring that nagging feeling in your stomach?
According to bestselling author, keynote speaker and emotional wellbeing expert Elizabeth Jane, our intuition is constantly trying to communicate with us, but many Australians have become so distracted, stressed and disconnected from themselves that they no longer recognise the signals.
Worse still, she warned that intuition is not something we should simply expect to work perfectly without attention. Like our physical and emotional wellbeing, it needs to be nurtured, supported and strengthened.
"Your gut can be telling you something is wrong long before your conscious mind has worked out why, but we've become incredibly good at talking ourselves out of listening," Jane said.
"We rationalise everything. We tell ourselves we're overreacting, being silly or imagining things. We ask everybody else what they think instead of stopping to consider what we already feel.
"Intuition is not a superpower reserved for a lucky few. It's a capacity we can all learn to recognise and develop, but if we constantly ignore it, we become less confident in trusting ourselves."
Your body may notice what your mind hasn't
Jane said intuition can emerge through subtle emotional and physical responses, including a feeling of unease, tension in the stomach, a sudden sense of calm or a strong impression that something deserves closer attention.
"Sometimes you can't explain why a situation doesn't feel right. Your brain may be picking up on patterns, behaviour or inconsistencies that you haven't consciously identified," she said.
"That doesn't mean every gut feeling is correct, but it does mean you shouldn't automatically dismiss it.
"Your intuition is a signal to pay attention, not necessarily an instruction to act without thinking."
Jane said learning to distinguish intuition from fear, anxiety and past experiences is an important part of developing sound judgement. Importantly, there are ways to strengthen your intuition.
Six ways to strengthen your intuition
1. Turn down the noise
Jane said constant notifications, social media, television and competing demands make it difficult to recognise quieter internal signals.
"Spend 10 minutes a day without your phone, music or distractions. Sit quietly, breathe and notice what you're feeling. If your mind is constantly racing, it's much harder to hear yourself think," Jane said.
"Learning to zone out helps to elevate your intuition."
2. Pay attention to your body's signals
A tightening stomach, sudden discomfort or feeling of calm can provide useful information about how we are responding to a situation.
"Notice when your body reacts strongly. Ask yourself what might be triggering that response. Don't immediately dismiss it, but don't assume it must be telling you the truth either," Jane said.
3. Start with small decisions
Jane recommended practising intuition in everyday situations rather than waiting until a major life decision arises.
"Before asking five friends what you should do, pause and consider your own initial response. Whether it's a small purchase, an invitation or how to spend your weekend, practise recognising your preferences and instincts," Jane said.
"Listen to your body and how you feel about things. Practise doing this on a daily basis."
4. Keep an intuition journal
Recording gut feelings and reviewing what actually happened can help people identify patterns and become more aware of their judgement.
"Write down what you felt, what you thought was happening and what the outcome was. You'll begin to see when your instincts were useful and when fear, assumptions or past experiences may have influenced you," Jane said.
5. Look after your emotional wellbeing
Jane said exhaustion, chronic stress and emotional overload can make it harder to interpret internal signals clearly.
"Your intuition needs nurturing just as much as the rest of you. Sleep, exercise, meditation, time outdoors and emotional self-care can help create the mental space needed for reflection," Jane said.
"When you're overwhelmed, it can be difficult to distinguish a genuine concern from a stress response."
6. Stop outsourcing every decision
Jane warned that constantly seeking reassurance can undermine confidence in personal judgement.
"Advice is valuable, especially for important decisions, but if you ask everybody else what to do before considering what you think, you can lose touch with your own preferences and values," Jane said.
"Listen to yourself first, then combine that insight with facts, evidence and trusted advice."
The biggest mistake is ignoring yourself
Jane said intuition is particularly relevant when people are navigating relationships, career changes, business opportunities and significant life decisions.
"Think about how often you hear people say things like, I knew something wasn't right but I ignored it and I should have listened to my gut after all," she said.
"Sometimes that feeling turns out to have been important. Other times it reflects fear or a misunderstanding. The key is learning to recognise the difference rather than blindly trusting or dismissing every instinct."
She said Australians should stop treating intuition as something mysterious and start recognising it as a skill that benefits from regular attention.
"We spend enormous amounts of time looking after our appearance, our careers, our homes and our finances, yet often neglect our relationship with ourselves.
"Your intuition needs to be nurtured, supported and listened to. Give yourself the space to hear it, the confidence to question it and the wisdom to use it alongside sound judgement.
"Sometimes the most important voice you need to hear is your own."
About Elizabeth Jane
Elizabeth Jane is a best-selling author, sought-after keynote speaker, artist and respected thought leader whose work has inspired thousands of people to live with greater clarity, confidence and emotional freedom. Her highly popular book, Free and First - Unlocking Your Ultimate Life has helped many people across the globe to navigate and move forward from divorce and other life challenges to find joy and happiness. Based in Sydney, she is a devoted mother to four adult children and a powerful advocate for wellbeing, resilience and authentic living.
A Commerce graduate who later completed a Diploma in Education, Elizabeth has built a multifaceted career as a mentor, spokeswoman and creative force. Her insights have shaped conversations across mental health, relationships and personal transformation, earning her a reputation as one of Australia's most compelling voices in the self-development space.
Beyond her writing and speaking engagements, Elizabeth is a passionate practitioner of yoga and meditation and an accomplished painter. Her artwork and storytelling share a unifying mission: to empower people with practical tools to cultivate purpose, emotional strength, vibrant health and enduring joy.
Whether through her books, commentary and insights, her art or her presence on stage, Elizabeth continues to encourage audiences to live deeply, love fully and embrace the most authentic version of themselves.