I think age plays a major role in shaping how we think. Also, about reluctance, I expressed it in the context of emotional contrasts, lack of confidence, and many hindrances in our confidence level, which prevents us from achieving more at a young age, than when we are much mature and experienced when we are older.

Natural reluctance in this scenario speaks to our instincts trying to decipher the felt, yet unseen.

Exactly, I agree. That is more like our reflex too and is precisely called gut-feeling, I guess.