follow your heart

F

follow your heart (idiom)
/ˈfɑːloʊ jɔːr hɑːrt/

Variants

• listen to your heart
• follow one’s heart

Meaning

• Making choices guided by personal emotions and instincts instead of external advice.
• Acting according to one’s innermost desires and feelings, even if logic suggests otherwise.
• Pursuing a path aligned with your passions to achieve true fulfillment.

Example Sentences

1. She chose to follow her heart and opened her dream bakery in the countryside.
2. He had to follow his heart and decline the job offer, even though it came with a huge salary.
3. Despite the risks, they decided to follow their hearts and adopt a child from overseas.
4. In moments of doubt, always follow your heart to find the right answer.
5. He knew he had to follow his heart and confess his feelings, even though he feared rejection.

Origin and History

Historical Context
The phrase “follow your heart” encourages individuals to act according to their deepest desires and emotions. While its exact origin remains unclear, the concept of listening to one’s inner feelings has existed in various cultures for centuries. Philosophies emphasizing self-authenticity, such as those of ancient Greek Stoics and Chinese Confucianism, laid the groundwork for this sentiment.

Shakespearean Influence
An early example of this idea appears in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet (1600). In Act 1, Scene 3, Polonius advises his son, Laertes, to be true to himself:

“This above all: to thine own self be true.”

Though not the exact wording, this line reflects the underlying meaning of staying true to one’s desires.

Philosophical Foundations
The phrase resonates with philosophies promoting individuality and intuition. Romanticism in the 18th and 19th centuries particularly championed following emotions over reason, aligning closely with the idiom’s essence.

Modern Popularization
In modern times, the phrase gained significant traction through motivational speeches, songs, and literature. Steve Jobs, in his 2005 Stanford University commencement address, emphasized the value of following one’s heart to live an authentic and fulfilling life.

Earliest Printed Record
The exact first use of “follow your heart” in print is unclear, though it appeared in literary works and proverbs by the 19th century. An Ngram search shows its increasing popularity in English literature from the early 20th century onward, reflecting its growing use in common language.

Synonyms

1. trust your instincts
2. listen to your inner voice
3. pursue your passion
4. go with your gut feeling
5. heed your inner calling

Heart