Listening To Your Inner Air Raid Siren

We’ve all been there, right? Faced with a decision that looks shiny on the surface, the kind that elicits congratulatory nods and pats on the back. For me, that was a job offer – one that, by many standards, would have been seen as a step up. But here’s the thing: a strong inner sense, was telling me not to do it.

Now, I’m someone who tries to tune into my intuition. It’s not about dramatic pronouncements, more like those subtle pre-gig jitters or a nagging reservation. When it comes to job opportunities, there’s always an element of the unknown, a gamble on the culture behind those office doors. But this was different. This wasn’t a gentle nudge; it was a full-blown internal air raid siren. I prayed on it, sought advice from trusted friends and colleagues (I even wrote a song about it), trying to rationalise the unease.

Yet, the siren persisted, a relentless warning that grew louder as my start date approached.
Until eventually, I made a big call – Some have called it brave, a testament to integrity – I quit before I even started. Part of me still wonders if fear played a role – fear of the unknown, fear of the role and the organisation (a story for another time, perhaps my memoir!).

But here’s what I know for sure: the moment I made that decision, that internal siren finally fell silent, replaced by a profound sense of relief. In that quiet moment, I knew it was the right choice, for my well-being and my work-life balance.
This experience became a powerful lesson in prioritising my own well-being and listening to that powerful internal compass. It also taught me that big decisions can sometimes lead to messy outcomes. Some relationships shifted, and not in a positive way. Yet, even that fallout reinforced my conviction that I had acted in accordance with what felt right for me.
Moving forward, I hope to carry the confidence this experience has given me – the understanding that you can’t please everyone, but you can strive to act with integrity and prioritise your own inner guidance. And if that means making a big call, even when it’s scary, then so be it.

This experience became a powerful lesson in prioritising my own well-being and listening to that powerful internal compass. It also taught me that big decisions can sometimes lead to messy outcomes. Some relationships shifted, and not in a positive way. Yet, even that fallout reinforced my conviction that I had acted in accordance with what felt right for me.
Moving forward, I hope to carry the confidence this experience has given me – the understanding that you can’t please everyone, but you can strive to act with integrity and prioritise your own inner guidance. And if that means making a big call, even when it’s scary, then so be it.

What about you? Have you ever faced a decision where your intuition screamed a warning? Do you think I made the right call? And if you’ve recently made a significant decision, how are you feeling about it now? I’d love to hear your thoughts.