“No one else can ever make your choices for you. Your choices are yours alone. They are as much a part of you as every breath you will take, every moment of your life.”

– Dr. Shad Hemlstetter

Currently, I am at a point in my life where big decisions lay in front of me. These decisions will influence my future whether it be good or bad. We all have had to make decisions at one point or another. This spans from picking what color to wear today to if we want to share our life with someone. These decisions help shape who we are and will continue to do so until we pass on.

I’ve always been a person that struggled with making decisions. I never know what to eat, which project to start on, or if I want the blue dress versus the green pants.  I’ve passed up several trips abroad because of my fear of flying alone or I was afraid of not being able to do well in my classes by adding one more (one trip was even fully paid for!). This is something I’ve been trying to work on. In fact I’ve been participating in this challenge where I have to say an affirmation daily and part of mine deals with decision-making.

“It is the big choices we make that set our direction. It is the smallest choices we make that get us to the destination.”

– Dr. Shad Helmstetter

I believe that I’ve been getting better with the little things, but I still struggle with the larger decisions. Because I care a lot about others, especially those in my inner circle, I have a hard time making decision that could end up hurting them.  Making choices are all a part of growing up and I’m starting to realize that I can not make everyone happy. One of the people I follow on instagram posted a quote that said, “Not all of the people in your life are meant to stay.” This made me think about how I try to hold on to everyone in my life because they make me feel safe and comfortable. If I continue this then I will end up miserable.

If we never end up making decisions then we are always riding the fence never knowing what could be on either side. This isn’t a very good way to live your life.  In fact it would probably be really boring to do so.  Excitement comes with making unconventional decisions and punching fear in its face. I’d rather live my life without regrets and have lots of adventures than be stuck in the same routine never learning of the beauty that is out there.

I suppose what I am trying to say is make the unconventional decision once in a while. Others may not like it, but your happiness is just as important (or even more so) as theirs.

Until we meet again loves,

-M.A.