Decision Making 101

I'M BACK!

Yes, I know that it's been quite some time since my last post (bye bye summer!) but since midterms are now far gone and the end of the semester approaches ever so slowly, I will be making a conscious effort to post weekly when possible. When I can share my experiences and/or give advice that people can relate to, it means the whole world to me!

So before we jump into today's topic, Let me give you a quick update on what's been going on in my personal life:

☆ I dyed my hair blue (and it still is blue)

☆ mom's birthday was in September; she would've been 50 years old. I was trying to put together a collage project of memories and photos, but Wix did NOT like me uploading that many things. Here's a photo of one young mom and one of her best friends :,)

☆ Madison took me to my FIRST EVER punk concert!! I had bruises on my sternum from the barricade and lost my voice from screaming so much, but it was very much worth it.

☆ I've been going on excursions with the wonderful Abbey, Diego, and Sydney (the advemture babeys). We've hit up everything from rooftop thrifting, block parties, coney island, and we still got a few weeks left!

☆ I went to the climate strike at Foley Square, and man that such a life-changing experience. I had never been part of a protest before, and to see thousands come together to have our voices be heard was incredible!

☆ Abbey took me to Cleveland with her for parent's weekend, and I finally got to meet her dogs, Sophie and Bella, as well as have some much needed time away from campus. The photo is from the dog park where they met two new doggo friends.

☆ There is a black cat on campus that Abbey and I kept on seeing in the courtyard, and so we ultimately got cat treats for him/her. A few weeks later, he came to the alcove beneath my window and brought another black cat with him!! Their official names are Simon and Garfunkel.

☆ I went to not only a dog cafe (Boris and Horton) but a cat cafe as well (Meow Parlour) and it was so so therapeutic to be able to play with all the kittens and to meet some pups!!! 10/10 recommending stopping by one if you're in the city.

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Now for part two of this blog post...

Decision Making 101

Decision making has proved a weakness of mine for a while, but I have progressively become more aware of how to make the process a bit easier (even if the outcome isn't what you expect!) Before deciding anything, there are a few key steps that are crucial to work through before you come to a conclusion.

Step 1: Long or Short Term?

When the idea of making a decision is on the horizon, it's important to take a big step back before analyzing the options in full. Depending on the circumstances, there's about a 50/50 shot that this will be a decision that a) will matter (at most) for a few days or b) potentially change your life path for a few months or even years. If the latter seems to be the case, then it is going to take more time and debating to make up your mind - and that's okay!

Step 2: Pros and Cons

This may seem a bit corny, but actually writing out a list of 'blessings and curses' that follow each decision can put the decision as a whole into perspective. Try and come up with at least four or five solid reasons for each side of the list, and then mark the ones that stand out or strike you the most. Make sure to use only one color throughout the list - colors have connotations that can automatically trigger our brain to think a certain thing. For example, a green pen could stand out as a "yes" and red as a "no", but not all cons may be "bad" in a long term context.

Step 3: Listen to You

Something crucial to keep in mind is that the pros and cons of your list may or may not affect others; the most important thing to remember is that you are not making a decision for - or based on - anyone else. Your gut can tell you a lot, but only if you choose to tune into your inner self. Find a quiet space, set your list aside, and take a moment to breathe. When we get caught up in everything around us, whether it be school, work, personal life, etc. our brains often become cloudy, hinders our abilities to reason and decide. Here are a few basic self questions to start with:

☆ How does this decision make me feel?

☆ Why is this decision important to me?

☆ Will this decision affect my day/month etc. positively or negatively?

Step 4: Get Some Input

Sharing your plan or quandry with someone that you trust is always a good idea, especially when it comes to those larger or long term decisions. They might be able to point out factors that you hadn't thought of before (pros or cons), and they also have the ability to support you and cheer you on through the process, whether it be big or small. But don't forget - you're making this decision for you, and no one else!

Step 5: Follow Through

Now that you've picked a tentative path to take, it's time to make the theoretical a reality! Mark your calendar, create reminders for yourself, set a timer, etc. if the decision is in the future. If it's now (or soon), then jump in! It's normal to be scared when making a change of some sort. Even if you feel nervous, pretending that you're confident in the choice you've made will tell your brain that IT IS OKAY, and soon enough you will feel it for real.

☆ Remember: until the clay is fired, the marks aren't permanent! (Sophia had better like my metaphor/art pun) Try not to second guess yourself; you'll only create more confusion, stress, and a longer process. If you ultimately decide to change your mind, make sure to talk to at least one trusted person to let them know in case you need guidance or encouragement.

Until Next Time,

Anna