Matt’s Mix Tape, Vol. 145

May 27, 2022

Hi, I’m Matt Tillotson, and this is Matt’s Mix Tape: ideas on using writing and exercise to remix ourselves in middle life.

This week’s Mix:

Journaling to develop intuition
When do we see benefits from a run?
This week’s Florida photo

Journaling to develop intuition

This tweet got a strong response:

Matt Tillotson @matttillotson

I wonder if you can improve your intuition by journaling about it. Noticing what was correct, what was wrong, seeing patterns. Seems worth a shot.

The overwhelming consensus? “Yes, you can.”

Taylor Barada shared an article on creating a decision journal.
Charlie Becker recommended Ray Dalio’s book, “Principles.”
Monica Ricci said bringing awareness to anything allows you to improve it.

How can we use journaling to improve intuition?

Here’s my plan:

Notice intuitive feelings. This requires a habit change and willingness to feel what we’re feeling.
Write down intuitive feelings. This works best in the moment—interstitial journaling—rather than reflective journaling at the end of the day. Intuitive moments are fleeting. Record them as they pass. Apple Notes for the win here, as usual.
Prompt intuition by asking questions. Write down what you hear in response.
Take action on intuition. We can’t just feel it. We have to act and experience outcomes.
Record the results. Over time, patterns should emerge. When did intuition guide us well? When was it just a passing emotional flare?

P.S.: Men are intuitive

Monica Ricci said it best:

It is the exceptional man who can lean into and honor all his emotions, activate and trust intuition, while remaining secure in his masculine energy and strong self-perception.

It’s not that men aren’t intuitive. But we’ve been programmed to ignore or shove down emotion.

And emotion is the engine of intuition.

P.P.S.: Don’t ignore the spiritual side of intuition

Nearly all the responses to my Tweet were thoughtful and focused on mental aspects of intuition.

I believe intuition is fed by a deeper well than intellect alone. We can access something bigger and wiser than ourselves.

You can feed the spiritual side of intuition through prayer—journaling can be prayer—and gratitude. Joyful Journey is a good resource to learn spiritual journaling from a Christian perspective.

How long does it take to benefit from a run?

I assumed the answer was “immediately.”

Turns out that’s wrong.

It takes time for aerobic improvement to take hold after a workout. Just how long depends on the type of workout:

There are long-term compounding benefits beyond this. But I was surprised to see just how long it takes the body to repair and adapt to any one workout.

As with all things worthwhile: play the long game. Make a consistent effort. And be patient with outcomes.

This week’s Florida photo

Along the Alafia River.

Hello to 11 new subscribers!

Thank you for reading.

Whatever you’re working on or working through: keep showing up.