When Your Gut Says Go: Learning to Walk Away
Sometimes we want so badly for something to work that we ignore the quiet voice inside telling us something isn’t right. We explain things away. We rationalize. We tell ourselves to be flexible, open-minded, and understanding. But sometimes, that quiet voice is not doubt. It’s wisdom.
Recently, I committed to a sailing experience that seemed like a promising opportunity. The person I’d be sailing with seemed passionate and welcoming. The trip itself had been framed as a chance for growth, learning, and connection. I remained open, even when some things didn’t quite line up on arrival. The boat wasn’t ready. The timeline was vague. The energy felt off. But I stayed—at least for a little while.
Then came the flood of red flags. Conversations that went far beyond appropriate boundaries. Disclosures I hadn’t asked for, containing unsettling, even alarming, details. Personal stories involving large financial entanglements, questionable characters, and erratic emotional states. Comments that left me physically on edge. Information that made me genuinely question my safety.
That’s when my gut stopped whispering and started shouting SCREAMING AT ME to get out of there.
I want to be clear: no violence occurred. But safety isn’t just about physical harm. It’s also about psychological wellbeing. It’s about being able to sleep without fear. To trust your environment. To move through your day without the sense that something could tip dangerously out of balance at any moment.
I chose to leave. Quietly. Carefully. Without confrontation. I packed my things, slipped away while it was safe to do so, and got out.
And even though it left me emotionally drained, even though my body is still recovering from the stress, I do not regret the decision. I regret staying past the first internal warning. I regret trying to explain things away. But I do not regret listening when it mattered most.
This post isn’t about that experience. It’s about the lesson.
If your gut is giving you all kinds of red flags, listen. Not every difficult situation is dangerous. But every dangerous situation starts with something small that didn’t feel right. You don’t need proof to walk away. You don’t owe anyone your silence in the name of politeness. You do not need permission to prioritize your safety.
Protecting your peace doesn’t require a reason others would understand. It only requires that you understand it’s time to go.
— Leigh
