Nervous Energy, Decision Fatigue...HELP!
Awh hey reader,
You look good. How do you feel? March feels like a turning point after 3 months of Minnesota winter. But, this new beginning often brings up a lot of nervous energy and the need to decide. Should I go to the gym at 5:15 Tuesday morning even though I only have 45 minutes or should I wait till Wednesday when I could workout a full hour and stretch? Should I take a trip during Spring Break or should I wait till I have more money and less people are traveling? Do I need to protect myself during this time of political unrest or am I in overdrive? Whether big or small, it can be hard! Both paths may not seem equal, but they seem to have an equal number of compelling reasons to take either one. I see a lot of people write thorough pro-cons lists and put tons of time in reflecting only to feel less sure as they go!
Sound like you? It sounds like a lot of people I know! These are good, thoughtful people who are just beating themselves UP!
Perhaps you've heard of Dr. Ellen Langer. Langer is a Harvard-psychologist who is famous for her work on how our beliefs affect our health, stress, and self-concept. If you're not familiar, check out her interviews on Lewis Howes's School of Greatness or The Huberman Lab Podcast. One of my favorite quotes comes from her book The Mindful Body, where she writes “Don't try to make the right decision, try to make the decision right.” In other words, what I tell my clients is this: make a decision and then, make it work for you. Langer explains that in a world where uncertainty is the only reality, there's no way to make a “right” decision. We have to go on a certain amount of instinct and then live it out through the process of adapting.
Huh, what? Did I lose you on that last sentence? Let's jump on the phone. Let me coach you on just this one little thing that will help make every decision you ever make again EASIER. Sound too good to be true? I dare you to take me up on it.
P.S. Speaking of nervous energy and decision fatigue…Will you do something for me? Comment on this post (or DM/email me) and let me know what is on your mind. What are you worried about? What is causing the most anxiety for you right now in your life?
Let me know what’s keeping you up at night. Chances are likely that you are not alone and there are others who are having similar experiences. My partner always says to me, “Don’t be a hero…let me in…stay vulnerable with me…I’m here for you.” I need those reminders and I want to pass that onto you as well. I may not be the person you need to confide in, but find your person or people and let them in. Allow them to show up for you. If you are lacking support right now or need more support, you're not alone in that. I can be that extra bit of support during whatever you are going through.
P.P.S. I reached back in my archives for this week's Artwork of the Week.
Maybe you can relate, but it goes along with the post's theme. It’s called “Riding the Storm.” Can you find the ship in the image above?
Whether you are feeling the weightiness of the uncertain political climate or you have a decision to make that feels impossible to make the “right” decision, we can often feel like we are lost at sea or- to make another analogy- perhaps you feel stuck in the mud. Either way, there is a way up and out…and through.
Do you connect with this painting? The original is still awaiting its forever home. You can also find it as print here.