November 10, 2011
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choose to decide maybe
What do you do when you just can’t decide? Here I sit with a couple options, really all the same, really not all that vital a decision. But I’m stuck. I can’t decide. Each option has features that appeal to me. More features that don’t, really. I can’t even decide if I should actually decide. I could do all of them. I could do none of them. That’s the problem, isn’t it. None of them are the perfect option and I’d rather choose none of them. But… then I would have to start all over and that’s not a pleasant option either. So I sit here.. with my options… undecided.
What is it about decisions that makes me so… undecided? When the spawn was little, in an effort to make getting dressed less dramaful, I would give her two options for outfits. In fact, I used to make her options do little dances and swirls and might have had them talk to her. She always chose option C. Options 1 and 2 just didn’t work for her. I think maybe she gets this from me. Because I suspect that on any day, if I’m given option 1 and 2, that I will choose C as well.
I’m known for ordering the same meal at a restaurant every time. It could be that I just happen to love that meal, and in several instances this is true. It could also be that when I’m eating out, I want to enjoy the experience, not wrestle with a decision. Deciding what outfit to wear to a gathering is torture. I’ll often wait until the last minute, just so I don’t have enough time to worry about what I’m wearing. And these are just the every day decisions that make no difference. Imagine the ordeal of making a decision that is actually important.
And every time that I sit at the brink of making a decision or not, I remind myself that “if you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.” Sometimes this is the kick in the pants that gets me to just make a darn decision. Because “a” decision is always better than none. Even when it’s not the best choice, the smart choice, the right choice… it is then still MY choice.
Sent all. The world did not end… yet. Probably won’t later either.
Comments (21)
Usually when I’m having trouble making a decision it’s because I need another option.
i can’t decide what to say about this.
@complicatedlight - snore?
I’ve never been the greatest at making decisions.
@songoftheheart - nice to hear i’m not alone
@ordinarybutloud - i need more choices!!
@promisesunshine - indeed. Any chance of that?
@ordinarybutloud - there are always more choices. out there, somewhere.
diggin’ the rush.
@be_the_rain - no kidding. i had no idea back in the day how brilliant rush was.
i now have a headache reading this.
@buddy71 - i’m so sorry! i never intended to use my blog to inflict pain.
@promisesunshine - not really it was just a statement. lol
@buddy71 - i knew
i also know that sometimes the action that goes on in my head is best left in there.
I have problems making decisions too. I spend so much time debating and I end up missing the event that I was debating.
there’ve been some great article lately about decision fatigue – NY Times Magazine had one a few months back. It’s hard work deciding things – physiologically as well. Blood sugar levels seem to have a real impact – don’t try to decide on an empty stomach or late in the day. Our decisions tend to get more conservative (less change/less risk) as we get tireder.
I hate HAVING to make a choice. choices are only fun when you can choose to choose or not to choose…. like Geddy Lee says.. but different.
@gayXianmom - I had no idea there was a real reason for it. I’ll have to look for that article.
@roscoes_farm - yes!!! i choose not to choose!!
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/21/magazine/do-you-suffer-from-decision-fatigue.html?_r=1&ref=johntierney
@gayXianmom - thank you so much.