Choice: The Good, The Bad, and the Clarity

Some people love being in charge and making all the decisions. (You’re picturing someone right now—admit it!) Others spiral into stress and anxiety at the thought of choosing. And then there’s that person who refuses to decide because they’re “fine with whatever.”

Most of us are a mix of these, depending on the situation.

So… who’s doing it right? Is there even a “wrong” way to make decisions?

Decision Styles Are Personal (and Kind of Funny)

Some people:

• Swear by their trusty pros-and-cons list

• Decide quickly and never look back

• Regret a decision for years—even when it turns out fine

• Deliberate forever, only to go with their gut

Personally? I rely on intuition for the big stuff...But those little choices? They trip me up.

35,000 Decisions a Day?!

Here’s a wild stat: the average adult makes around 35,000 decisions every single day.

No wonder we’re exhausted by the time we’re choosing where to park or what’s for dinner.

So what drives our decision-making?

I suspect it’s one thing:

Fear.

• Fear of getting it wrong

• Fear of regret

• Fear of disappointing others—or ourselves

• Fear of looking foolish

• Just plain fear

What If There’s No Such Thing as a “Wrong” Decision?

Hear me out.

Before every decision lies choice. Even when it’s between two less-than-ideal options, you still have choice. And every choice brings clarity.

Examples? Let’s go:

• You chose fried appetizers instead of the soup-and-salad combo, and now you feel sluggish. Clarity.

• You splurged on leather boots that pinched in the store, and now they’re unbearable.
  Clarity.

• You gave your on-again-off-again partner another chance... and they’re still jobless and glued to the couch. Clarity.

• You let your 10-year-old stay up late for a scary movie they “could handle,” and now they’re crying in your bed at 3 a.m. Clarity.
  

Clarity Leads to Power

Maybe the only truly “wrong” choice is the one you’re unhappy with but refuse to change.

But even that dissatisfaction? It’s useful. It’s clarifying. And clarity leads straight to power.

Power to make a new choice.

• Eat the salad tomorrow

• Return the boots (unworn, of course)

• Set boundaries—with your ex and your kid

When we step into that power, even the so-called “wrong” choices become part of our journey toward something better and more aligned.

One Decision at a Time

So, if you’re feeling stuck or second-guessing yourself, take a breath.

Every choice teaches you something.

Every decision—big or small—is a chance to learn, grow, and move forward.

Claim your power, and you become unstoppable.

You’ve got this. One decision at a time.

Until next time, shine bright, my friend.

✨ Curious why some decisions feel easy and others feel like a mental wrestling match? I sat down with Kim Olver on her podcast Life = Choices, Choices = Life to unpack that—and more.  Click HERE to have a listen