Discipline is a cornerstone of a good life, or so we’re told. We wake up early, go to work, eat healthy, and exercise — all in the pursuit of a fulfilling existence. But what if this conventional path to the good life is misguided? What if, instead, we could achieve fulfillment by listening to our bodies and acting on our desires? Intuitive living, a concept that extends the principles of intuitive eating to all aspects of life, posits that we should do just that. In her book “Intuitive Living: A Manual for Real Life,” life coach Pandora Paloma argues that we’re constantly bombarded with messages that disconnect us from our bodies and true health. Instead of relying on external cues and restrictions, she suggests we follow our instincts. While intuitive living may sound chaotic and unrealistic (after all, we can’t all scream in the supermarket just because we feel like it), it’s worth considering as a path to a more fulfilling life. As a freelance writer without children, intuitive living is easier for me to implement than it might be for others. Still, I decided to experiment with it for a week to see if it could bring me closer to my body’s wisdom. The only rule was that there were no rules; I would do whatever I felt like, whenever I felt like it. The first morning of my experiment was effortless. I let my body wake up naturally, which happened to be at 7 a.m., an hour earlier than usual. Instead of immediately starting my day with coffee and chores, I scrolled through TikTok, indulging in a stream of puppy videos and celebrity fan cams. After a while, however, I felt sluggish and realized that an hour had passed while I remained curled up in the same position. The rest of the day was equally aimless. I ate beans and sausages on toast for breakfast, disregarding my candida diet. I took a long, luxurious bath in the afternoon, listening to a podcast about a cryptocurrency scammer. “This is intuitive living,” I thought as I yelled for my partner to bring me a bag of sour cherry and apple candies. I knew I had emails to respond to, but I didn’t feel like it. After my bath, I watched more TikTok videos for an hour and then drifted off to sleep. Saturday was more eventful. My partner surprised me with a bottomless drag brunch, where I indulged in wagyu burgers without any of the usual restraint. This brunch became an opportunity to test the limits of my intuitive eating. Without any external limits, I had to rely on my body’s natural stop signals, which turned out to be rather weak. After consuming an excessive amount of prosecco and fries, I called it a night, feeling bloated and exhausted. It seemed that intuitive living was more about laziness and hedonism than anything else. As the week progressed, I tried to be more mindful of my choices. Was I truly hungry, or did I just think I should be? Did I genuinely want to lie in bed, or did I crave fresh air and nature? The first real test came on Tuesday when I was invited to a book launch. I usually attend such events for the free drinks and networking, but this time, I listened to my body. I didn’t want to go, so I declined the invitation and went to the gym instead. In the following days, I continued to listen to my body’s cues. I left an art exhibition early when I felt tired, despite the fact that it was only 9 p.m. and I “should” have been getting my beauty sleep. Instead, I stayed home and enjoyed the warm spring night air, feeling a sense of ease wash over me. Intuitive living isn’t easy. It requires us to distinguish between genuine desires and fleeting cravings. Society, too, is not structured to accommodate an intuitive lifestyle. Most people are expected to work traditional hours, even if they are more productive at night or in sporadic bursts. Others have children and must prioritize their needs over their own. Doing what you want, when you want, is challenging in a world driven by deadlines, schedules, and financial responsibilities. Despite the challenges, my week-long experiment brought me closer to understanding my body’s internal language. We often say yes to things we don’t want to do and no to things we might enjoy, which can leave us feeling resentful and out of alignment. Usually, I would have my week ahead meticulously planned out. This time, I decided to leave my calendar empty. What will the week hold? I’ll listen to my body and see where it takes me.
Intuitive Living: The Good Life Unfiltered
