Changing our minds

I often wonder how many times a day we change our minds. We have an idea or a plan we want to put into action, and then, a little while later, we decide, "Nah, I don't want to do that."

Maybe somebody has researched this and come up with a number. I'm not going to look it up right now. It's just a question I'm pondering, because I often find myself changing my mind.

People offer different explanations. Decision fatigue. Burnout. Maybe we received new information and decided to go in a different direction. Sometimes we simply don't feel like doing what we thought we wanted to do earlier.

I think there's something good about not getting too attached to our original plans. Be flexible. Leave yourself some room to reconsider.

For me, though, the struggle is often the emotional angst I create because I want to make the right decision. I make a plan based on the choices and information in front of me. Later, something changes, and I want to do something else. Then I get upset with myself for wanting to change my mind.

Now I'm spending more energy questioning the change than the activity itself probably requires.

Was my first choice wrong? Am I being indecisive? Should I make myself follow through just because I said I would?

But is it really that big of a deal?

Sure, some decisions involve commitments and consequences that deserve careful thought. But plenty of everyday plans leave room for a change. I can go somewhere else, try a different activity, or stay home.

Is that worth beating myself up over?

I'm reminding myself that I can make a decision and reconsider it later. I don't have to turn every change of plans into a judgment about who I am.

Sometimes, I can just change my mind and do something different.

It's okay. You can change your mind.

Have you ever argued with yourself longer than the decision deserved?

Here, I made this. My gift to you, for taking the time to read.

Images are from my imagination, generated by AI. Writing is all me.