Goonies Never Say Die
Trust your gut...
Cue palm to the face and heavy eye roll 🤦♀️🙄. Trust my gut? All that gets me is the realization that I might have some variation of IBS… or that I shouldn’t have eaten that last slice of pizza 😅💨. Isn’t my gut meant to tell me when I’m hungry 🍕 or need to use the restroom 🚻? Well, yes… but—(and I know we all hate sentences that start with “yes, but…”) 🙄—that’s not the whole story.
When they say (and by “they,” I mean the sciencey people 🤓) that your gut is your second brain, they aren’t lying. Your gut has its own nervous system—the enteric nervous system 🧠—which connects directly to your brain 🌐. And get this: your gut microbiome 🦠 (aka the bacteria living in your gut) can influence your serotonin levels—the “feel-good” hormone 😊 that helps regulate mood 😌. So, if your gut isn’t packed with healthy bacteria 🥦, it can mess with your emotions and sense of well-being 💪🌿.
Then there’s your body’s intuitive side 👀. Butterflies 🦋 in your stomach, goosebumps 🧊, tingling fingers 🤲—these aren’t random. They’re physical signals ⚡ telling you something. Think of them as alerts from your body’s personal dashboard 💬.
And speaking of dashboards—your car lets you know when the gas is low, the wiper fluid’s out, or it’s time for maintenance 🚗💡. Your body’s the same. Stomach drops, hair standing up on the back of your neck 👀—those are your warning lights 🚨.
So why all the belly talk? 🤔 Because when you’re deciding to make a transition or start something new, it’s not just about what you think you want—it’s about what’s actually right for you. That’s where intuition comes in. It’s your internal sounding board 🗣️ helping you tune into what’s truly in your heart 💖.
The first step to trusting yourself—and your intuition—is to pay attention 👀 and ask questions ❓. This is where the tough part comes in 😬. We don’t always get the answers we want, and that’s often why we stopped listening to ourselves in the first place 🙈. Trusting yourself takes courage 💪 because when the outcome isn’t what you hoped for, there’s no one else to blame 😕.
That’s why I remind myself: Don’t ask questions you don’t want the answers to 🛑. What we want isn’t always what we need ⚖️. Deep down, we usually know that—but it doesn’t make it any easier to accept 💔.
And here’s the thing—trusting your gut isn’t just about you…..The people you surround yourself with can help you hear it louder…
“Hey You Guys!” 🎬💥 (The Goonies, directed by Richard Donner, 1985)
This is where having a support system is sooooo valuable 💪. Having your crew of badasses 👯♀️ is everything. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that friendship, support, and good energy matter more than anything.
If the Goonies taught us anything, it’s this:
Believe the treasure is real 🗺️
Show up in the tunnels 🕳️
Share the Baby Ruth 🍫
And if you’re lucky, you’ll find your Sloth moment—someone who shows up when you’re chained to the wall, looking like the worst day of your life, and instead of judging you… just says, “Hey you guys!” and busts you out of whatever situation you find yourself in, no questions asked🏴☠️🔓. Tell me you didn’t want a sloth growing up!!
A support system doesn’t have to be flawless. It just has to be there—for the chaos, the victories, and everything in between.
“Goonies Never Say Die!” 🎬💥
Wrapping up August… wait—HOW is next week September already?! 😳 (Go ahead, check your heart rate… it went up, didn’t it. ❤️🔥)
We’ve talked a lot this month about moving forward, building momentum, and taking chances—but here’s the plot twist no one warns you about: sometimes the fear of succeeding can be just as paralyzing as the fear of failing.
Yep, it’s a thing. You hit the goal, and instead of popping champagne 🍾, your brain’s like: Cool… now what if I can’t keep it up? Suddenly, you’re stacking your wins next to everyone else’s shiny highlight reel, and boom—comparison steals your joy faster than a One-Eyed Willy booby trap 🏴☠️💣.
Even the most “successful” people question themselves. That’s why a never say die attitude isn’t just a cute Goonies quote—it’s your survival kit. It’s what keeps you moving when your inner critic whispers, “You’re not ready. You’re not worthy. You’re not enough.” 🙄
So, when doubt creeps in, remember show up in the tunnels, believe the treasure’s real, and for the love of Sloth—share the damn Baby Ruth 🍫. Because your crew matters as much as your courage.
Food for thought… Who’s in your tunnels, and are you showing up for them too?
Further Reading on Mind/Gut Connections (References 🤔)
Gershon, M. D. (1998). The Second Brain: The Groundbreaking New Science of Gut-Brain Communication. HarperCollins.
Cryan, J. F., & Dinan, T. G. (2012). Mind-altering microorganisms: The impact of the gut microbiota on brain and behaviour. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 13(10), 701–712.
Van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Viking.