Whether it's what uni course you should apply for, or which country to visit for your next holiday, it's safe to say that you're constantly needing to make some type of decision, be it big or small. Of course, the bigger the decision - the more life-changing it is - the greater the pressure you might feel to get it right. While that's understandable, there is such a thing as too much pressure, especially when it leads to anxiety. The first step to overcoming it, though, is understanding why it's been instilled in you in the first place, so read on to find out how you've been programmed into fearing those major life decisions.
'What do you want to be when you grow up?'
I'm sure that question sounds familiar to you. It has probably been posed to each and every one of us, ever since we were kids. Heck, in Malta, they indirectly ask you that exact question on your very first birthday, by placing a pile of objects in front of you and forcing you to pick one. Because, yes, choosing a set of rosary beads at the age of one (true story) will inevitably lead me to becoming a nun twenty years later.
Somewhere down the line in humanity's evolution, we've become obsessed with the notion of a career. Parents fantasise about their children's future jobs, hoping they'll become a doctor, lawyer, or maybe even a teacher. They'll accept answers such us 'musician' or 'footballer', and they might even be proud to hear them say so, but only up to a certain age. Once you're old enough for high school, more realistic answers will be expected.
The first 'major' decision - notice that I put inverted commas around 'major' - you probably had to make was choosing your optional subjects in high school. Biology? Economics? Graphical Communication? Choose wisely, they said, for whatever you decide will impact your future career prospects. That's just what any twelve year old wants to hear, right?
You see, the reason you might get nervous whenever you have to make an important decision, is because you've been wired into believing that the choices you make are permanent.
But what if I were to tell you that that's just a myth?
Just think about it. You can always study an extra subject privately, or change your course. You can always make up for a 'bad' decision. Even one as big as giving your son a name like XÆA-12 (I'm looking at you, Elon Musk). That doesn't mean that you should take major decisions lightly, because of course some decisions might affect other people as well as yourself (again, I'm looking at you, Elon Musk). But the point is, it can always be undone. In today's world, the only thing that's permanent is death (which is why that's probably the worst crime one could commit, but let me not go off on a tangent).
People change. It's highly unlikely that you'll be the exact same person your whole life. So it's almost inevitable that you'll end up regretting some decisions down the line. Instead of regretting, however, try and find a way to turn it around. If at forty you suddenly decide that your chosen dream career isn't for you anymore, you can always turn on your indicator lights and switch lanes. It's obviously daunting to do so, especially if you have to keep driving until you find a safe opening. It's hard, but it's not impossible, by any means.
So if there's a major decision that's been looming on your mind, try and go with your gut. If you ease the pressure, it might just be easier to listen to what your inner voice (the good one wearing white, not the devil in disguise) is telling you.
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