The subtle art of deciding.

Philosophy | February 6, 2010

Faced with a mountain of options, walking bare foot during the climb, feelings and thoughts slicing the soft soles of my feet like a knife through a fresh sponge cake, my mind awash in confusion. How do we ever know that what we are doing is right? When is it time to explore some things and let others go? Is it always a matter of instinct, or should we deliberate more carefully?

A good friend of mine consults the ever blunt 'pro's and con's' list, sitting down with her trusty pen mulling over the exact intricacy of each decision. I, for one, love this idea, but can never muster the courage to see my options so coldly in front of me - it reduces the excitement of making the choice to decide in the first place. Of course we all weigh up the options, taking into account factors like money, time, accountability, etc, yet it always seems to come down to one simple question: What do I want?

For some, this question is impossible, as they now have the hideous realisation that they must answer to themselves, not just to external forces. I am a firm believer in following that chasm that develops in the pit of your stomach when facing a decision. You are the only one qualified enough to choose, for it is your life and you know all of the factors. It's great to get advice from those around you, but ultimately it comes down to your own convictions and self-acquired wisdom. Viva la optimism!