A decade ago, I had an experience that still lingers in my memory, a reminder of how important it is to trust my instincts—especially in unfamiliar or unsettling situations. It happened on an ordinary evening after work. I had stopped by a clothing store to pick up a few things. Little did I know, that quick stop would turn into something I’d never forget.

As I wandered the aisles, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was being watched. At first, I brushed it off—maybe I was just being paranoid. But then, I noticed something strange. No matter which aisle I moved down, there he was, following me. Not just once, but repeatedly. My heart rate picked up, and my instincts kicked in.

I decided to test it. I walked from one aisle to another, and sure enough, he followed again. At that moment, everything in me screamed that something wasn’t right. My gut told me to leave, so without a second thought, I turned and walked out of the store.

I called my husband on the way home, feeling a sense of relief as I shared what had happened. He listened, reassured me, and helped me realize that trusting my instincts had been the right decision. It’s something I’d never forget: that gut feeling, that awareness of being in an unfamiliar situation that could’ve been dangerous if I hadn’t acted quickly.

In the years since that day, I’ve become even more attuned to my instincts. It’s funny how something so subtle—just a feeling or a vibe—can alert you to something off. Whether it’s the way someone looks at you or the way a place feels, our instincts are often telling us more than we realize.

Trusting those instincts doesn’t mean we have to live in fear, but it means we give ourselves permission to listen and react when something feels wrong. Sometimes, that’s all we need to keep ourselves and those we love safe.

Now, I walk through life with a heightened sense of awareness. I don’t just go through the motions; I pay attention to my surroundings, I notice how people behave, and most importantly, I trust myself.

If you’ve ever been in a similar situation, you know how valuable that internal alarm can be. Don’t ignore it. Trust your gut—it could be the difference between a close call and a safe escape.