You've probably felt it. The sudden repulsion. The sudden sense that something is wrong. That something is off. That something about this person, this situation, this relationship is just... wrong. And you think: Why do I feel this way? Why do I suddenly feel repulsed? What's wrong with me?
Here's the uncomfortable truth: the 'ick' is not random. It's trying to tell you something. And understanding what the 'ick' is trying to tell you — and how to listen to it — is the key to making better decisions about relationships.
What the 'Ick' Actually Is
Let me be precise, because understanding what the 'ick' is is the first step to listening to it.
The 'ick' is not just a feeling. It's a signal. A signal that something is wrong. That something is off. That something about this person, this situation, this relationship is not right for you. And understanding that — understanding that the 'ick' is a signal — is the key to listening to it. Not seeing it as just a feeling. Seeing it as a signal.
Pause and Reflect: Think about the last time you felt the 'ick'. What was it trying to tell you? What was it signaling? If you can identify what it was trying to tell you, that's the first step. And understanding that — understanding that the 'ick' is a signal — is the key to listening to it.
Why You Feel the 'Ick'
Here's why you feel the 'ick' — and why it matters.
You feel the 'ick' because your subconscious is picking up on something. Something that your conscious mind hasn't noticed yet. Something that's not right for you. And that subconscious signal — that subconscious signal — is trying to tell you something. And understanding that — understanding that the 'ick' is a subconscious signal — is the key to listening to it. Not ignoring it. Listening to it.
And here's what most people miss: the 'ick' is not random. It's trying to tell you something. And understanding that — understanding that the 'ick' is trying to tell you something — is the key to listening to it. Not seeing it as random. Seeing it as trying to tell you something.
The Personality Types Most Likely to Feel the 'Ick'
Your personality shapes how likely you are to feel the 'ick' — and which aspects are hardest to listen to.
If you're high in neuroticism — prone to anxiety — you're more likely to feel the 'ick'. Because you're prone to anxiety. You're prone to picking up on things that are wrong. And that proneness to anxiety — that proneness to anxiety — makes you more likely to feel the 'ick'. Because you're prone to anxiety.
If you're high in openness to experience — curious, intuitive — you're more likely to feel the 'ick' because you're intuitive. You're prone to picking up on subtle signals. And that intuitiveness — that intuitiveness — makes you more likely to feel the 'ick'. Because you're intuitive.
If you're high in conscientiousness — organized, detail-oriented — you're more likely to feel the 'ick' because you're detail-oriented. You're prone to noticing details that are off. And that detail-orientation — that detail-orientation — makes you more likely to feel the 'ick'. Because you're detail-oriented.
If you're high in agreeableness — compassionate, cooperative — you're more likely to feel the 'ick' because you're compassionate. You're prone to picking up on things that are not right for you. And that compassion — that compassion — makes you more likely to feel the 'ick'. Because you're compassionate.
The Micro-Insight About the 'Ick'
Here's the thing that changes how people think about the 'ick'.
The 'ick' is not random. It's trying to tell you something. And understanding that — understanding that the 'ick' is trying to tell you something — is the key to listening to it.
We think of the 'ick' as random. As just a feeling. But it's not. It's trying to tell you something. And understanding that — understanding that the 'ick' is trying to tell you something — is the key to listening to it. Not seeing it as random. Seeing it as trying to tell you something.
How to Listen to the 'Ick'
Here's the practical part. Because understanding the 'ick' without knowing how to listen to it doesn't change anything.
Don't ignore it. Don't just ignore the 'ick'. Don't ignore it. Because not ignoring it — not ignoring it — is what actually allows you to listen to it. Not just ignoring it. Not ignoring it.
Ask what it's trying to tell you. Don't just feel the 'ick'. Ask what it's trying to tell you. Because asking what it's trying to tell you — asking what it's trying to tell you — is what actually allows you to listen to it. Not just feeling it. Asking what it's trying to tell you.
Trust it. Don't just feel the 'ick'. Trust it. Because trusting it — trusting it — is what actually allows you to listen to it. Not just feeling it. Trusting it.
The Deeper Truth About the 'Ick'
Here's what I want you to understand.
The 'ick' is not random. It's trying to tell you something. And understanding that — understanding that the 'ick' is trying to tell you something — is the key to listening to it.
The 'ick' is not random. It's trying to tell you something. And understanding that — understanding that the 'ick' is trying to tell you something — is the key to listening to it. Not seeing it as random. Seeing it as trying to tell you something. And that understanding — that understanding that the 'ick' is trying to tell you something — is what actually allows you to listen to it.
You Can Listen to the 'Ick'
Here's what I want you to hear.
You can listen to the 'ick'. You can not ignore it, ask what it's trying to tell you, trust it. And that listening — that listening to the 'ick' — is what actually allows you to make better decisions about relationships.
The 'ick' is not random. It's trying to tell you something. And understanding that — understanding that the 'ick' is trying to tell you something — is the key to listening to it. Not seeing it as random. Seeing it as trying to tell you something. And that understanding — that understanding that the 'ick' is trying to tell you something — is what actually allows you to listen to it.
If you've been feeling the 'ick' — if you want to understand the specific personality traits that make you more likely to feel the 'ick' — the MyTraitsLab Personality Test can show you the full picture. Not to tell you you're being irrational. But to help you see the specific wiring that makes you more likely to feel the 'ick' — and help you listen to it in a way that actually works for you.
