One of the hardest things for a 6 to do is to learn to tell the difference between their gut hunches and instincts (which are often insightful and correct), and the anxiousness of their own mind (which creates a mental haze of loud thought-confusion).

If we can tap into our instincts more consistently, it helps us distinguish between real threats and false alarms.

A Lesson from a Dark Alley

Let’s say someone has to walk down a dark alley alone at night. They could wait for their instincts to alert them to danger… or they could be so busy looking for danger, seeing shadows where none exist, that they miss the real threat entirely.

That’s what the 6 brain does all day: it distracts itself with mental noise—good thoughts, bad thoughts, analysis, motive-digging, fear—the whole range.

Why? Because if we stay distracted by low-level fears, we don’t have to face the big questions: What am I going to do about my life? My future? My problems?

What Intuition Feels Like (vs. Anxiety)

It helps to pause and reflect:

• When was the last time your intuition warned you of something and turned out to be right?
• Compare that to all the times you worried and… nothing bad happened.

One comes from the gut—a felt sensation. The other is pure thought and mental chaos.

Real-Life Examples from My Work and Friendships

I recently accepted a manuscript I had early misgivings about. A quiet voice in me said, “This might offend someone,” but I brushed it off. Another editor also had a bad feeling but ignored it.

Sure enough, it went to press and we got a call of complaint.

That was instinct. It was right. And I ignored it, because my head got loud.

Another time, a friend asked me whether she should date a guy. My gut said no. I expressed my misgivings and every single one came true.

But some of the other warnings I gave her (rooted in overthinking rather than instinct) never came to pass. I invented problems based on fear and disapproval. Not instinct.

Learning to Trust the Body (and the Line to 9)

A huge part of growth for 6s is to move out of our heads and into the body—specifically, to draw from our line to 9.

9s trust their instincts. They don’t overanalyze. They know when something is off.

To grow, we must quiet the mental static and learn to pay attention to our felt sense. That deep-down knowing that often speaks in silence.

Stop giving your fear-based thoughts all the airtime. Start listening for those subtle but strong gut cues.

The 6’s Challenge: Letting Go of Control

We’re proud of being smart and vigilant. But this makes it hard for us to adopt a 9’s outlook that good things will happen.

Letting down your guard and quieting your thoughts doesn’t mean you’ll make bad choices. It means you’re stepping into trust.

A 9 once told me:

“What is going to happen will happen, and you can’t change it by worrying about it in advance.”

That hit me hard. And it’s true.

Your Gut Is Smarter Than You Think

As you grow, remember this:

If something feels off, maybe it doesn’t need to be analyzed. It needs to be escaped.

Your brain might try to rationalize or explain a feeling away. Don’t let it. If a person, situation, or ideology feels wrong: get away from it.

Your instincts exist for your survival. They are more accurate than anticipatory anxiety. Learn to tell them apart.

Trust your gut. Quiet your thoughts.
That’s how we grow as 6s.

Learn how to grow as a 6 in my book 9 Kinds of Quirky, available on Amazon.com or digitally.