When You Don’t Know Your Next Step

I used to really struggle with indecision.

It could have been about something small, like which route to take home from the grocery store, or something big like deciding to accept a job offer or not.

When I think back about the root reasons of why I was indecisive, it boils down to these things:

• I didn’t want to make the wrong choice

• I didn’t want to let people down or be subject to their criticism

• My brain didn’t like the uncertainty of experiencing something new

While I still struggle from time to time (because I’m a human), I have been able to create a mental tool kit to help me get right back into making decisions that are authentic to me. So take this toolkit & adapt it for yourself. If you use one of them, or need help deciding your next step, send a reply & let me know!

Put It Into Practice

For when you’re afraid of making the wrong choice:

It all stacks. I have switched my mindset from thinking about a right or wrong choice, and more about opportunities to inform the future. As I look back on my past experiences, I can see how one thing linked me to the next thing - I am positive that if I would have chosen the opposite of my choice, the result would be the same. Yes, you may go back on a decision you made, but chances are that you learned something valuable in the process. Take comfort in knowing that regardless of the choice you make, it all stacks into creating a beautiful life.

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For when you’re afraid of what people will think:

If you don’t know yet, being afraid of people’s opinions of you is a form of people pleasing. When has diminishing your dreams & your light to prioritize other people ever made you feel empowered & joyful? I recently came across this graph & I think it gives a very honest look at the cost of people pleasing.

Believe me, I know how scary it can be to choose yourself over the fear of what others may think. It’s a messy uncomfortable process that takes time to work through. But the more you make decisions based on what you want & what feels good to you (because yes you deserve it) the easier it becomes.

For when you lack experience or feel overwhelmed by the unknown:

I once heard someone say that if you want to open a Mexican restaurant, set up a taco stand at your local farmers market. Anytime I am at a crossroads, I think about the little experiences I can create to help me better understand what I am saying yea or no to. In what ways can you learn more or better inform your decision?

One way to overcome indecision is to think, “what’s the worse that could happen?” & go down the list - really thinking about if my worst case scenarios are rooted in truth or if it’s something I can combat with learning more information or any one of these other tools in this toolkit.

Another practice that I use all the time is making a pretend decision. If both options feel like good choices, to help me tap into how I truly feel, I’ll “pretend” that I made one of two choices & let it sit for a few days. I’ll pretend in my mind that I’ve made that choice & envision going throughout my days as if that were true. Sometimes I know immediately, other times, it takes while & a few conversations with people who deeply know me.

Now you have the tools in your tool kit to help you move from indecision to confidently moving forward.

Don’t let fear hold you back from the beautiful life you are meant to experience.

Cheers,

Lauren

• Having friends alongside you actually changes the way your brain functions

• The work you do vs the person you are. By one of my favorite writers

• You are the only one is who is able to share the message you want to share

• Brianna Wiest’s new book comes out on 2/26 and I already know that it’s going to speak to my unconventional heart

Everyone needs a little support in their life. Here are some of my favorite ways to support myself emotionally, physically, & mentally while I boldly design my own aligned life.

• If you want to build self-confidence & gain clarity on your next right step. Download my Fitting in to Flying Free guide.

• Right now, I am wearing this necklace to remind myself to be grateful for every season I find myself in while also bringing positivity & balance

• If you are struggling to figure out your next right step or want your own roadmap to the life you want to create. Download my Alignment Roadmap template. This template will help you identify what’s important to you, the steps to get there, & encouragement when you need a reminder.

• The Growth Day App is a personal development guide in your pocket. I use the morning & evening journaling prompts as well as listen to the mini-podcast each day to keep my mind in a state of moving forward with confidence & clarity.

• Without fail, I will drink Ryze Mushroom Hot Cocoa before bed each night. I kid you not, it has worked to increase the quality of my sleep when so many other products have not.

• If you have ever felt on the outside or had a nudge to do something different than what is expected of you. Come join us in The Unconventional Woman’s Club - a membership based community designed to support women who feel like they don’t quite fit into traditional molds. It’s a space for women seeking clarity, confidence & connection as they design a life that aligns with their true selves.

You deserve to live the life you desire - let’s do this together.

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