What is Intuition? (plus 7+ proven tips to strengthen your intuition & inner guidance)

Are you wondering “what is intuition”? And do you want to learn how to develop your intuition with proven tips and practices that work?

Well, you’ve come to the right place!

I consider intuition to be the #1 language that most of us would benefit from learning and practicing.

Some of you will remember that I began my career as a French translator in university. I worked for the federal government, and then spent over a decade working as a full-time freelance translator. If my dad hadn’t become sick with early-onset Alzheimer’s when I was in my mid-20s, I might still be in that career. 

But life has a way of surprising us and guiding us!

Although I still have a handful of cherished translation clients, these days I consider myself more of a ‘spirit translator’. I decode messages from the Akashic realm, our loved ones, and other energies beyond the veil.

This is a valuable skill I use during not just my professional Akashic readings with clients, but also my 1:1 health and wellness sessions.

Intuitive information is literally priceless in my work.

I may be using a different set of skills, but my experience and expertise as a professional translator come in handy every day.

What is Intuition?

Intuition is often described as a gut feeling, a sudden knowing, or an inner voice guiding us toward the right choice or action.

Intuition is a deep, instinctive, automatic awareness that bypasses our brain’s logic and reasoning. It allows us to access insights that aren’t always immediately explainable.

And it’s important to remember that genuine intuitive information comes to US. We do not have to, and should not, go searching or struggling for it.

Think of the difference between an apple falling off a tree, or having to reach up and pick an apple off a tree. True intuitive information requires much less energy from us.

While it may seem mysterious, intuition is a natural ability we all possess.

Each and every single of us is intuitive! Hooray!

How Your Intuition Is Like a Language

For some, intuition shows up as a physical sensation, like a flutter in the chest or a knot in the stomach.

For others, it might appear as an inner voice, a vivid image, or a persistent thought that feels “right.”

This is why I often think of, and refer to, intuition as a language. In fact, many of us receive intuitive messages (communication!) for years before we finally start paying attention.

Intuition is rooted in our subconscious mind. It helps us draw on past experiences, emotions, and even subtle energetic cues to give us valuable information.

No matter how it manifests, you can learn how to develop your intuition over time with practice and consistency.

Whether it’s in making important decisions or sensing when something is off or potentially dangerous, intuitive information can change our lives. 

By understanding and tapping into your intuition, you open yourself to a world of clarity, creativity, and confidence that can transform how you live and make decisions.

Six Intuitive Senses or Languages

Intuition isn’t a one-size-fits-all experience. It shows up in different ways for different people!

I’ve mentioned how these six intuitive senses work in the Akashic Records before, but I will reiterate them for you here:

1. Clairvoyance (clear seeing) = seeing images, visions, symbols, or other visuals with your mind’s eye
2. Clairaudience (clear hearing) = hearing words, sounds, songs, etc.
3. Clairsentience (clear sensing or feeling) = feeling emotions, experiences, or other physical sensations; you tend to have sensations in your body when intuitive information comes through
4. Claircognizance (clear knowing) = a deep, instant knowing about things you did not have any prior knowledge of
5. Clairgustance (clear tasting) = strong tastes (this can include things you wouldn’t normally eat)
6. Clairalience (clear smelling) = strong smells (grandma’s perfume, granddad’s pipe, etc.) When my dad is around, I can sometimes smell his aftershave. This has happened to me while driving and it can be a shock!

Your dominant intuitive sense(s) might come naturally, while others can be developed over time.

If you’re a language nerd like me, you can think of intuition as learning a language. If you’re a fitness buff, think of it like strengthening a muscle.

The key is to notice how your inner wisdom already speaks to you and lean into it.

7 Tips to Strengthen Your Intuition

Develop your intuition with these 7+ easy but proven tips to strengthen your intuition. I’m also sharing some of my favourite intuition-boosting exercises and practices.

1. Quiet Your Mind

One of the biggest obstacles to developing your intuition is a noisy mind.

When your thoughts are always racing, it can be difficult to tune into your intuition. But you have to shut your monkey mind off to really tune into your intuition.

Meditation, mindfulness practices, and deep or focused breathing exercises can all help you cultivate a sense of stillness to experience your intuition. 

Suggested Practices

Mindful Observation:

• Choose an object in your environment (a flower, a candle, etc.).
• Spend a few minutes observing it with full attention, noting its colors, shapes, and details.
• If your mind wanders, gently guide it back to the object.

Walking Meditation:

• Take a slow walk in a quiet, peaceful environment.
• Focus on each step, the sensation of lifting your foot, moving it forward, and placing it back down.
• Be present with the act of walking, bringing your attention back if your mind starts to wander.

Spending time in nature can also naturally increase your intuitive abilities.

For example, walking barefoot on grass to ground yourself, sitting next to a tree to experience its energy, or observing patterns like the movement of water or clouds can tune our bodies into natural rhythms.

We can even experience the Schumann resonance, a frequency of 7.83 said to be the heartbeat of Mother Earth.

These natural frequencies can help address and soothe nervous system dysfunction, allowing our bodies to more easily receive intuitive information.

Mantra Repetition:

• Choose a calming word or phrase (e.g., “peace,” “calm,” or a mantra).
• Repeat the word or phrase silently with each breath.
• This repetition can help anchor your mind and create a sense of stillness.

Clearing the Mind Visualization:

• Imagine your thoughts like clouds travelling across the sky.
• Visualize each thought drifting away, leaving behind a clear, blue sky.
• This exercise can help you detach from your thoughts and create mental space.

If you enjoy guided meditations, you might enjoy the Insight Timer app for quieting your mind and reconnecting you to your body.

If you do nothing else, focus on reducing stress and calming your mind. It’s a surefire way to learn how to develop your intuition.

2. Pay Attention to Your Body

Our bodies can be powerful sources of intuitive information and awareness.

When something doesn’t feel right, we often experience physical sensations in the body. This could be a tightness in our chest or a knot in our stomach. When we pay attention to these physical signals, we can learn to trust our intuition (through our bodies!) more fully. 

Try tuning into your body during moments of decision-making or when you’re in a new or unfamiliar situation. What do you notice?

Suggested Practices

• Do a body scan. Lie down or sit in a comfortable position. Close your eyes and slowly bring your attention to each part of your body, starting from the top of your head to the tips of your toes. Notice any sensations, tightness, or emotions tied to specific areas. Ask yourself if these sensations hold a message for you.

• Try my Attitude of Gratitude Meditation practice before bed for 14 days, or whenever you need to tap into how you’re feeling in your body.

• Somatic practices like these can also be beautiful ways to re-connect with your physical temple.

3. Practice Listening

I think it’s human nature to expect intuitive information to arrive in a loud, clear, and unmistakable way.

But all too often, intuitive guidance arrives via a quiet whisper or subtle feeling.

Think of the difference between goosebumps and someone massaging your back. Intuition is more like the former than the latter 😉

To truly hear and trust your inner guidance, it’s important to practice listening.

This means being present and attentive, and actively tuning into your intuition.

You can practice by taking a few moments each day to check in with yourself.

Suggested Practices

• Set aside 5-10 minutes each morning or evening to write down any gut feelings, emotions, or random thoughts you’re having. Reflect on how these insights align with your day-to-day experiences. This simple practice can help you recognize intuitive messages over time.

• Dreams can also be a rich source of intuitive information. You may want to keep a dream journal next to your bed and jot down any vivid dreams or symbols as soon as you wake up. Over time, you may notice themes or guidance you’re receiving through your dreams.

Your info is safe with me. I will guard it with my life and promise no spam, ever. I genuinely hate it as much as you do!

4. Learn to Trust Yourself

Trusting yourself can be difficult, especially if you’ve had negative experiences in the past.

However, learning to trust yourself is kep to learning how to develop your intuition!

The key to learning how to trust your intuition is to act on it.

Suggested Practices

• Start asking yourself simple, unimportant questions like: “What colour shirt should I wear today?” or “Which route should I take to work today?” And ALWAYS act on the answer, even if it doesn’t make logical sense in the moment. 

And obviously, don’t follow unsafe or dangerous advice… because chances are that is NOT coming from your intuitive mind. 

• Another fun practice is to turn intuition into a game. Test your intuition with small, low-stakes guesses. For example, before checking the weather, guess the temperature or forecast. Before receiving a call, guess who might be calling.

Over time, you’ll notice patterns and how your intuitive “hits” grow stronger. You won’t always get it right (and no one else is ever 100% accurate either!) but your skills and trust will grow. And the more you’ll be able to trust your intuition.

5. Embrace Uncertainty

If there is one thing I know: intuition often operates in the realm of uncertainty. It may not always be clear why you feel a certain way or why you’re being guided in a particular direction.

That can be hard… but learning to trust the unknown is an important part of learning how to develop your intuition more fully. 

You may have to let go of your need for certainty and control. Instead, trust that your intuition will guide you in the right direction. Wherever that may be.

6. Practice Gratitude

Another tip to boost your intuition is to cultivate an attitude of gratitude. When we’re grateful, we’re more attuned to the present moment and more open to receiving guidance. 

This can help you open up to and receive your intuitive guidance.

Suggested Practices

• Start each day with a simple gratitude practice, such as writing down three things you’re grateful for.

• You might enjoy my unique 30-Day Gratitude Calendar, full of original prompts to inspire and encourage you to reflect on the things you are most grateful for.

7. Be Consistent

Build your intuition like you learn a new language: with practice and consistency.

You wouldn’t expect to lose 40 lbs. or build muscle in a single gym session, would you? Your intuition works similarly!

A daily meditation, journalling practice, or tuning into your inner guidance even with small decisions are great ways to develop your intuition over time.

When you are consistent, you also learn to quiet the noise in your mind, regardless of anything else you’re dealing with, or how you’re feeling. You learn to trust the subtle nudges and insights that surface, what we call your intuition.

Over time, these practices help you become confident to not only recognize but also act on your intuition, making it a most powerful tool for self-growth and personal development.

Suggested Practice

My Business by Intuition Daily Audios offer beautiful guidance for tapping into your intuition – morning, noon and night!

How to Develop Your Intuition with This Bonus Tip

Use your imagination! Your imagination can be a powerful way to strengthen your intuition.

Visualization and creative exercises can even help you strengthen your intuitive abilities from scratch. 

Check out these powerful visualization exercises to play with your imagination.

Remember that developing your intuition enough to trust it, and rely on it, requires patience AND practice. Use these tips to strengthen your intuition, and learn to trust your inner guidance system more fully and faithfully. 

Every day, take time to quiet your mind. Pay attention to your body. Practice listening. Embrace uncertainty. Practice gratitude. Stay consistent. And of course, use your imagination!

Choose just one tip from this article and commit to practicing it daily for the next 7 days. Whether it’s quieting your mind, tuning into your body, or trying an intuition game, notice how it feels to connect with your inner guidance.

Share your experiences and breakthroughs in the comments below, or tag me on social media (@hi.ashleighgrange), so we can celebrate your intuitive wins together.

Need More Help to Develop Your Intuition?

Book a personal Quantum Energy Healing session so we can identify any blocks keeping you from healing and connecting to your intuition.

With these tools in hand, you’ll be well on your way to a deeper, more meaningful relationship with your intuition. It is the #1 language that we would all benefit from mastering and embodying!

Let’s build your intuition, one experience at a time!

Ashleigh

More Resources to Grow Your Intuition

• All About Angel Cards (and how to use them!)
• Cheap or free practices to raise your vibration and shift your energy
• 7 Powerful Visualization Practices for Intuition