How I Learned to Trust My Intuition and Find My Voice

Because my book comes out soon, I have been thinking a lot about this… I am nervous about being seen. I share life stories, learned insights, and perspective, and while it’s intimidating to share, I feel called to. And, I feel like it’s important to. So, in this blog, I’ll share how I got here, trusting intuition, and battling limiting beliefs. 

Here’s how I went from being told to be quiet and invisible as a child, to finally finding my voice.

First, the Whisper That Started It All

One day, I was walking on a trail with my dog Miko when something extraordinary happened. As we walked, an eagle feather began to float down directly in front of my path. This feather was special; after my father died, he’d send messages via feathers, so I knew it was a sign from him.

I wanted to keep the eagle feather as a memento, but knowing that the law prohibits possession of eagle feathers, I decided to place it carefully beside a tree instead. I found what felt like the perfect spot and crouched down to gently place the feather there, with Miko waiting patiently for us to resume our walk.

Then I heard it.

As I began to stand back up from placing the feather, I heard a gentle voice say clearly, out loud: “Whispers within us.”

The voice startled me because it truly sounded like it came from right beside me. I looked around but didn’t see anyone close enough to have spoken those words. And that’s when I realized the message had come from the Universe itself.

Even though I didn’t understand what “Whispers within us” meant at the time, I felt the significance of the moment. And this experience was unusual enough (and meaningful enough) that I chose to write it down in the notes app on my phone before continuing my walk.

Then, Six Months Later, Here I Was Again–Learning to Trust My Intuition on a Whisper About Starting a New Business 

About six months later, I had been following my intuition in a new direction–starting a coaching business. And, it was when I was struggling with what to name it, that I immediately remembered that message from my walk. The Universe nudged me to go back to where I had written down “Whispers Within Us.” But, this time the meaning became crystal clear—this was what my business was meant to be called! 

To me, what makes this story so powerful to me is how it demonstrates the Universe’s perfect timing. The initial download came when I was ready to receive it. Yet its purpose wasn’t revealed until I was ready to act on it. The whisper was planted as a seed. And that seed bloomed only when the conditions were right for me to start my coaching business.

How I Trusted My Intuition and Broke Free from “Be Seen and Not Heard”

But here’s the thing—getting to the point where I could even start that business required breaking through decades of conditioning that had told me to stay quiet and invisible.

Growing up, I was constantly taught to be quiet. When my dad was working on refrigeration repair calls, my sister and I were told, “Don’t make a scene, don’t be kids, just be quiet, be still.” And, during weekend visits with my mom (who worked nights), we were told to stay quiet in the apartment while she slept.

I learned not just to be seen and not heard, but to not be seen AND not to be heard. These beliefs became deep-seated limiting beliefs, creating a double-edged sword that would follow me well into adulthood.

Then, during my marriage, I lost my voice even more. Not because my ex-husband told me to be quiet—he never did that. But I subconsciously hid behind his outgoing personality, becoming comfortable in the shadows and letting him be the ambitious one. This dynamic prevented me from growing into my own voice. I needed room to speak and to be around people who would encourage me to be seen.

I became known as “someone’s wife” rather than who I am individually–Kathleen. While that frustrated me, I had also allowed it to happen. Maybe because subconsciously, I knew that staying invisible felt safer than risking true visibility.

Which is one of the reasons why divorce became a breakthrough moment. I had to separate myself from that narrative of being “someone else’s wife” and become my own person again. And that’s when I realized I had so much to share. But still, the prospect of stepping onto a platform and sharing my opinion through a book still terrified me.

I recognized how those childhood limiting beliefs were still controlling my adult life, keeping me small and quiet even when I had important things to say.

The Gentle Persistence of Divine Guidance

Fast forward to my book cover revelation, which perfectly demonstrates how the Universe speaks with a gentle persistence.

Before I left for a leadership retreat in Mexico a couple of months back, I noticed some interesting abstract leaves on a pamphlet I had. I thought to myself, “Well, aren’t those interesting abstract leaves?” I really liked them and took notice, but I didn’t immediately recognize this as a whisper—it was just something that caught my attention.

At this point, I had always pictured my book cover being a feather. I was certain that was the right symbol for the cover. 

But then, a couple of weeks later, I found myself on that leadership retreat in Mexico, deeply immersed in yoga and meditation. I entered such a “tuned-in space”—genuinely connected and receptive, where whispers spoke to me and I actively listened.

While at the retreat, leaves were naturally blowing around everywhere in the wind. As I watched them dance around, it created such a sense of tranquility within me. Suddenly, this moment resonated deeply with me, and it made me think again about the cover of my book.

In that moment of watching the leaves dance in the wind, I had a profound realization…

It wasn’t a feather at all—it was a leaf!

This experience shows me what I call the gentle persistence of an external whisper. Because it knew exactly how to reach me when I was ready to receive it.

The Universe had first planted the seed weeks earlier with the abstract leaves on the pamphlet. But, I wasn’t ready to understand the message then. It wasn’t until I was in that receptive, meditative state in Mexico—surrounded by the actual dancing leaves and feeling that sense of tranquility—that the whisper’s meaning became clear.

This perfectly illustrates how external whispers work. Because they often come through gentle persistence. And they show us the same message in different ways until we’re ready to receive and understand it.

From Whispers to Voice: Finally Fully Trusting My Intuition

Now, my book is about to come out in just over two months. And, I find myself still working through that childhood programming. It has taken a ton of work to start changing those beliefs. But, I do it so that I can show up how I want to. Every day, I have to choose courage over comfort, visibility over hiding.

What I’ve come to understand is that my limiting beliefs were actually preparing me to help others. Learning to trust my intuition has created a bridge for others. Who, like me, were told to stay small, quiet, invisible, and to follow the crowd.

I realize now that there’s a responsibility that comes with receiving and acting on divine guidance. When the Universe gives you a whisper—whether it’s “Whispers Within Us” on a path, or dancing leaves in Mexico—you’re meant to trust that there’s a plan in store for you much bigger than your fears.

Every story I share in my book, every insight I’ve gained, every moment of vulnerability—it’s all motivated by the thought that this could help even one person feel seen, like I wish I was at that time.

Trust Your Intuition, Listen to the Whispers Within You

The whispers are always there, waiting for us to listen. Sometimes they come as gentle nudges, sometimes as clear voices, and sometimes as dancing leaves that speak to our souls.

My book “Whispers Within Us” is my invitation to you to start listening to your own inner guidance. Trust your intuition and find the courage to step into visibility. I’ve learned that when we follow those whispers—even when they scare us, even when they ask us to step out of the shadows—they lead us exactly where we need to go.

My Book, ‘Whispers Within Us,’ is coming out soon, and the eBook is now available for pre-order on Amazon. 

So, what do you say? Are you ready to start listening to your own whispers?