How To: Make Big Decisions & Not Regret Them Later

Hello there lovelies!

So, maybe it was a bad idea for my triumphant return to the world of blogging to happen at the same time as I bought Season 2 of Gossip Girl. Perhaps it was a very bad idea - I've been too wrapped up in Gossip Girl (or, more specifically the happenings between Blair & Chuck) to do much else. But lately, when I haven't been watching Gossip Girl I've been making some big decisions about the direction of my life, and I'd really like to share some tips with anyone else who might need to be doing the same. So, without further ado, here are my tips for making big decisions, and (hopefully) not regretting them later.

• Stop and think. First of all, if you're about to make a decision that will change your entire life, take some time to stop and think. Are you unhappy with what you're doing currently? Is what you're doing taking you where you want to go? Would you be happy doing the same thing, just in a different place, or a different way? Do you really hate your job, or just your overbearing boss? Are you really unhappy, or just feeling restless? Do you know what you want to do instead of what you're doing now? You need to think about all these things before taking the plunge into a whole new direction. What you think, and how you feel are some of the most important indicators of how well your decision works for you.
  


• Listen to yourself, not everyone else. Sure, the important people in you life probably have some very good advice, but it is ultimately your life. And sometimes, people are going to tell you that you're stupid for doing what you want - especially if you're dropping out of university, or giving up a promising business career to work in the creative sector. But if that is what you want, you need to listen to yourself. Don't let other people push you into things that you don't want for yourself. You are the one who has to live with the consequences of your big decisions, not them. Furthermore, don't apologise for what you want. No matter what your dreams for yourself are, they are just as valid as anyone elses'. Even if what you really want to do is become the next Miss Poledancing Universe, that doesn't make your point of view any less important.
  


• Think ahead & keep your options open. This is also important - just because your dream to be the next Scarlett Johansson, Julia Gillard, or Gala Darling is valid, that doesn't mean it will always work out. So don't burn all your current bridges when forging your new path, and don't rush into a big change without a plan. If you can, sample what you want to before you leave whatever you're doing currently. Make sure your new plan is a good fit for you, because you don't want to leave university to become a fashion designer and then discover you hate sewing. Furthermore, you don't want to spout your grand plans at your employer and dramatically resign Bridget-Jones-style, only to come crawling back a year later. Whatever you are going currently, end the situation amicably and intelligently, and then you'll still have options if your decision turns out to be a bad one. There's nothing wrong with a back-up plan, or researching your options, and that doesn't mean that your new path is doomed to failure.
  


• Research, research, research. Find out as much information as you can about all the possible options of your decision. If you're looking at persuing a new career, find out what it entails. If you're looking at enrolling in a different course, find out what the prerequisites are, what the cost is, when you need to enrol, and where it can take you. Knowledge is power, and getting all the knowledge you can behind you will make sure your decision is well-informed - no investing in stretchy wallet-purse-belts for you (ok, a little Gossip Girl just crept back in there)! Doing your research will also stop you from having any romantic notions about the choice you're making. For example, I'm sure that throwing in the academic towel to become an actress sounds great, but the reality (castings, never knowing where your next paycheck is coming from, long hours, hard work) is a lot less glamorous. Doing some thorough research will make sure you don't hold onto illusions about what your decision will mean for your life.
  


• Have faith in yourself! The most important point of all. Anytime you're making a big decision, that may change your life completely people are going to tell you that you're stupid. They're going to tell you that your idea is silly, that it's too hard, that you're too smart, not smart enough, don't understand the risks, and so on, and so on, etc. etc. But if you believe in yourself, what do all those people matter? If something feels right, and you think you can make it work, go for it! The sky is your limit, and if you think you can do it, then you probably can.

In the last year, one of the major things I have learned is that I don't need to apologise for wanting the things that I do, even if they're not what others want for me. And, that I don't need other people to believe in me - it's nice when they do, but I can do it myself. So hopefully, this is helpful to some people in the same situation as last-year me, because you can all make these difficult decisions too. You can do whatever you put your mind to, even if it means breaking out of the things you've always assumed were best for you. I believe in you lovelies.

Until next time, xo.