You know that feeling when a big decision follows you everywhere? Into the shower, onto your commute, into bed at night when you should be sleeping. Should I take it? Should I stay? Should I go?
I’ve been there more times than I can count. And what I’ve learned is that thinking harder doesn’t always help. Writing does. So I want to share the questions I lean on when my heart and my head can’t agree.
Get It All Out First
- What exactly is the decision I’m facing? Write it in one sentence.
- What are all the options, including the ones I haven’t let myself consider?
- What am I most afraid of with each option?
Separate Facts From Fears
- What do I actually know for sure about each option?
- What am I assuming or guessing?
- Is this decision reversible? If I choose wrong, what would it take to change course?
Listen to Your Values
- What matters most to me in this season of my life?
- Which option lines up best with those values?
- Whose voice am I hearing when I think about this? Is it mine?
Try On Each Choice
- Imagine I’ve chosen option A. It’s six months from now. How do I feel?
- Now imagine I’ve chosen option B. Same question.
- Which version of me felt more at peace, even if it also felt scary?
A Few Gentle Reminders
Give yourself time. Unless there’s a real deadline, you don’t have to decide today.
Talk it through with someone you trust, but remember that it’s your life and your decision.
And know that there is rarely one perfect choice. Most of the time there are several good ones, and what matters most is how you show up after you choose.
Grab your journal. Start with question one. The answer is often closer than you think.
Whatever you decide, I hope you choose it with a little more peace and a lot less fear. You know yourself better than you think.
Want a little more support along the way? My two journals, Nurturing Your Soul: A Guide to Practicing Self-Care and The Mindful Journey Journal, are available on Amazon.
