💪 The Hairy Chin: Intuition Issue

Hi there!

It feels so good to be back this week! The messages, support, and warm welcome I’ve received have reminded me just how powerful this community is, and how needed these conversations truly are.

We’re kicking off this new chapter with a theme that’s foundational to self-advocacy, and one many of us have been taught to silence: INTUITION.

I’ve learned firsthand how powerful that inner voice can be, like when I decided to uproot my life and move to Barcelona, a leap that shaped everything that’s come since. But I also know it’s not always easy to hear. Life gets noisy, and sometimes we lose touch with that internal compass. Reconnecting with it has been one of the most important skills I’ve ever learned.

I hope you enjoy this first edition of our refreshed newsletter and find something here that supports you on your journey.

Spencer Moore
Founder, The Hairy Chin
(Listen to The Hairy Chin Podcast)
(Visit www.thehairychin.com)
(Follow us on IG and TikTok)

History shows us just how threatening a woman’s inner knowing once was. Centuries ago, women were punished, silenced, and even executed for trusting themselves, their instincts, and their knowledge. Today, we may not face witch trials, but we still live in a world that conditions women to doubt themselves, and when we lose touch with our intuition, we lose a powerful tool for self-advocacy.

This week on The Hairy Chin Podcast, I sat down with Melbourne-based Cathy Williams, author of Body Wisdom, to explore what it means to reconnect with that inner compass. Cathy reminds us that intuition isn’t just a voice, it’s a form of knowledge, a tool for self-protection, and one of our deepest sources of strength. She also joined us for a bonus episode, Three Ways to Meet Your Intuition, with a guided meditation, creative arts practice and creative writing practice. (🎙️ Listen to both episodes here)

Now that we’ve explored why intuition matters so much, let’s talk about how it shows up in real life. Each edition of this newsletter will include The Village Asks, where we answer real questions from women in this community. Think of it as a space to workshop the everyday moments where self-advocacy is tested: the hard conversations, the confusing decisions, the situations that leave you second-guessing yourself.

Dear Hairy Chin,

Last weekend, one of my closest friends hosted a big birthday dinner - the kind of event I would usually be so excited about. But the truth is, I’d had an exhausting week at work, I was running on fumes, and all I wanted was a quiet night at home, alone.

Still, I went. I didn’t want to disappoint her, and I worried that not going would make me seem selfish or like a bad friend. The night itself was exactly what I feared: I spent most of it half-asleep, disconnected and silently wishing I’d stayed home. By the time I got back, I felt guilt for being such a wet blanket and also resentful that I’d pushed myself so far past my limits.

This keeps happening. I say yes when I want to say no, then feel guilty either way. I don’t know when I’m protecting energy and when I’m just avoiding responsibilities. How can I learn to trust myself enough to know the difference and be able to set boundaries without all the guilt that comes with it?

-Conflicted & Exhausted, Santa Barbara, CA

Dear Conflicted & Exhausted,

Most of us were conditioned from an early age to override our instincts: to be agreeable, accommodating, and ever-available, even when it comes at the expense of our own well-being. The push and pull you’re describing, “I should go, but I don’t want to,” “I said yes, but I feel awful,” is one of the clearest signs of that conditioning at work.

But here’s the truth: intuition isn’t just a voice inside of us, it’s a compass. And when you learn how to trust it, it can guide you toward choices that don’t leave you swimming in guilt or second-guessing yourself.

Here’s a simple way to begin building that muscle:

• Before you respond to a commitment, pause and check in with your body. Imagine yourself saying yes. What happens inside? Relief, tension, resentment? Now imagine yourself saying no. Do you feel ease, or do you feel guilt about how others might see you? If your body relaxes at the idea of saying no, that’s likely your intuition speaking. If it tightens because you’re worried about disappointing someone, that’s more likely guilt. And guilt is often just a reflection of old expectations, not your present reality.

It’s also worth saying: intuition, avoidance, and guilt can all coexist. You might genuinely need rest and still feel bad about disappointing others. But that doesn’t make your need any less valid. The key is to notice which voice feels more like truth. Intuition usually brings a sense of calm or relief, while avoidance often leaves you unsettled or second-guessing. And remember, guilt isn’t always a sign you’re doing something wrong, sometimes it’s simply a sign that you’re doing something new, like prioritizing yourself in ways you haven’t before.

It can also help to communicate openly with your friends. A simple “I’d love to celebrate you, but I’m really wiped this week, could we catch up one-on-one instead?” goes a long way. This allows you to honor the relationship and yourself at the same time.

And finally, a reminder I want to leave you with: setting boundaries isn’t selfish, it’s self-respect. As Cathy Williams shares in our latest podcast episode, learning to hone your intuition is about creating alignment between your choices and your needs, so you can move forward without resentment, guilt, or second-guessing. When you honor your limits, you actually show up better for the people you love - present, energized, and at peace with the choices you’ve made.

With you,
The Hairy Chin

What questions do you have about honing the skill of self-advocacy, health & wellness or the expansive female experience? We’d love to hear from you! Please share them with us at [email protected].

Self-advocacy isn’t built with just one tool, it’s the practices, perspectives, and resources that help you move closer to the life you want.

What We’re Reading:

“How To Kill A Witch” by Claire Mitchell and Zoe Venditozzi

I’ve been completely hooked by this book! It’s such a fascinating, entertaining and important look at Scotland’s witch trials and the thousands of women persecuted simply for trusting their bodies, instincts, and knowledge. In my conversation with Cathy Williams, she talks about the “Witch’s Wound:” the inherited fear many of us still carry about speaking up or being seen. Reading this reminded me that reclaiming our intuition isn’t just personal healing, it’s historical repair. (Find the book on Amazon here)

Your Weekly Free Downloads:

An Invitation to Your Intuition: This guided writing exercise from Cathy will help you strengthen that inner voice. Spend five minutes writing as if your intuition were a trusted friend, then let her write back. You might be surprised by how much she has to say! (Download here)

Spencer Moore’s Guide to Diaphragmatic Breathing with Four Techniques: Sometimes connecting with yourself can bring up big feelings. This step-by-step guide to diaphragmatic breathing is designed to help you ground your nervous system and support your body’s natural regulation. P.S.- I’m a certified breathwork instructor and love sharing these kinds of techniques! (Download here)

A Quick Watch:

IG: Watch our clip where Cathy Williams shares her thoughts on how to “feel your feelings.”
TikTok: Watch our clip where Cathy Williams talks about the “Witch's Wound.”

Power Phrase of the Week

My intuition is my greatest ally.

That’s it for today, thank you for being here! We’ll see you in two weeks with more tools, stories, and support to guide you on your self-advocacy journey.