 Making a decision that has major implications for your life can be stressful and overwhelming. At a time when you're longing for clarity and certainty, what you're actually feeling may be the exact opposite: an unpleasant mix of confusion and self-doubt. As you go back and forth considering all your options, it can start to feel like the walls are closing in on you. That sensation of feeling closed-in and smothered makes the situation itself seem even bigger, weightier, more unclear, and more overwhelming. None of this feels good! During times like this, giving yourself a bit of time and space can help. Step Away from the Situation Sometimes, you just need to take a break and step away from the situation for a while. This allows time for your conscious mind to take a rest, while your subconscious continues to process everything in the background. If possible, try setting the decision aside for a few days. Doing so provides an opportunity to rest, clear, and refresh your mind. When you come back to the issue later on, you're able to look at it with a fresh eye and a different perspective. Instead of being locked into one viewpoint, you can now come at it from different angles and alternative viewpoints. Stepping away and taking a break allows you to get "unstuck" in terms of how you're picturing things. Allowing some space between yourself and the situation enables you to disassemble and reassemble the pieces of the puzzle, which often brings an entirely new picture into view. This paves the way for seeing different responses, solutions, and even hidden opportunities you were previously overlooking. Sleep On It If you don't have the luxury of setting things aside for an extended period, go with the next best thing: sleep on it. During your sleeping hours, particularly those periods throughout the night when you're dreaming, your subconscious mind will be reviewing and consolidating information, making connections and unlocking new ideas and insights. A good night's sleep also gives your body and mind a chance to rest and repair, allowing you to wake up with more energy and less anxiety. Emotionally, you'll be calmer and more relaxed. Mentally, you'll be more clear-minded, and better equipped to review the situation more keenly and sharply.  Shift Your Focus What if the situation is more pressing and you need to make a decision promptly? Stepping away even briefly and shifting your focus to something else for a while will help. If exercise energizes you, spend some time working out. Getting out for a long walk in the fresh air is beneficial, as it provides a diversion while you focus on your surroundings. You can also spend some time working on your favourite hobby, allowing yourself to become fully absorbed in whatever you're doing. You may be consciously focusing your attention on the task at hand, but your subconscious mind will still be processing issues in the background. Without trying to force anything, fresh ideas or something completely unexpected may come to mind that you weren't seeing before, potentially steering you in an entirely different direction. Conclusion The next time you find yourself struggling with a decision because you feel torn, confused, or frustrated over it, give yourself some time and space. Set things aside for a few days, sleep on it, or engage in an activity that diverts your attention away from the situation. Stepping away for a while will enable you to come back to the situation with a clearer, calmer, more focused mind. Comments are closed.
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