Last week, we talked about choices.
Life is all about choice.
Choice leads to freedom, and freedom leads to joy.
Remember, we ALWAYS have a choice.
Even if it’s how we choose to think and feel about a circumstance we have no control over.
But with choice comes decision.
Decisions are critical.
Our current life results are a culmination of all our decisions.
Hear that.
Our decisions create our lives.
Decision-making is a skill that helps us take ownership of our lives, experiences, and happiness.
Our happiness is our responsibility and no one else’s, especially during the holidays.
I know this isn’t as easy as it sounds.
Many of us get stuck in indecision.
We don’t want to hurt people's feelings.
We don’t want to let people down.
We’re afraid of what people will think.
And we’re afraid of making the wrong decision.
And so, we allow the decision to be made for us, which often means spending too much time, energy, and money on things we don’t want to do.
Which leads to feelings of stress, overwhelm, resentment, and exhaustion.
That doesn’t sound like a joyous holiday season to me.
Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been there, but each year gets better and better as I learn to practice intentional decision-making.
Now is the time to make decisions about the holidays.
Before you feel the pressure of busyness, sit down and make a list of all the decisions you need to make.
If we want to be intentional and create a season we enjoy, we must make decisions now.
What kind of decisions?
Decisions about money, time, and who to spend it with.
How much, on what, and for whom?
Do you want to entertain? How and for whom?
Do you want to be entertained? How, what, and where?
Gifts? Who? What? How much?
Food? What kind? How much?
Travel or stay home?
Traditions? What to keep, what to tweak, what to start, and why?
Social obligations? What to do and why?
What do you love? What would you rather not do?
Who do you definitely want to spend time with, and who would you rather not?
And what don’t you want to do but are willing to do because you like your reasons?
Sit down with your loved ones and have conversations about these things.
It’s okay to question what you’ve always done.
Questioning is a sign of intelligence and leads to growth and greater happiness.
Open up to choices, decisions, and possibilities.
You may be thinking, what if you make a wrong decision?
But what if there aren’t any wrong decisions?
What if there are only decisions you make right?
This is the process:
Ask yourself, what do you want and Why?
Do you like those reasons?
If yes, go all in.
Have your back by trusting yourself, don’t second guess, be kind to yourself and others, and give yourself lots of self-compassion and encouragement.
You can always evaluate and make a new decision.
It’s how we learn, how we grow, and how we move forward.
Making intentional decisions now will give you peace and joy later.
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