The Art of Choosing
Hello from Paris! I am about to fly to New York for my sister’s birthday after a month long trip through Europe. It has been so magical and incredible and I feel so insanely grateful to have been able to experience this. I am going to create an itinerary for this whole trip but it’s quite a bit of work so, I figured I would start with this post.
As many of you know, I love to travel and explore as many cultures, opinions, and points of view as I can. I love food. I love unique and interesting cuisine with different layers and depths. However, I also love my routine of working out, eating healthy, working, being productive, etc. It can be difficult to stray from my routine or to make specific choices, but growth and life does not occur in the comfort zone. Life is not about doing the same thing over and over again. It is about making the most of each and every experience. To do this, you have to make choices.
I have thought about choosing a lot because I tend to feel guilty about my choices even when I know that is what I want. For example, if I am tired I may choose to take a nap instead of be active. This is a good choice though. I know that I am the only person who is aware of the right decision for me. Only I can decide which path is the one for me at the time, and it may change.
Choosing really is an art and you have to commit to it. What I have found is, we must make intentional choices and ponder all of our options. When we are presented with a myriad of decisions, the art of choosing comes in handy. First, we have to stop and think. Be mindful. Take time to evaluate every possibility. What sticks out to you? What is calling you? There may be something you think you should do and something you really want to do. You have to think of your overall goal. Sometimes it will be the right choice to pick what you “should do” while other times it will be the right choice to pick what you “actually want.” You have to weigh the options. I want to be a well-rounded person who enjoys fun and food, but also takes pleasure from hard work. I know that you need to work hard to be able to enjoy. The art of choosing is key in a balanced life because sometimes you need to choose work and others play.
In terms of vacation, my overall goal is contentment, fun, and bliss. I want to feel free. I know I have just worked so hard that I deserve this time to relax. Therefore, most of my choices will revolve around this goal. However, some of my long-term goals also come into play. There are certain tasks I can’t completely push aside. Things that have to do with college, Ellavate, my future, etc.
At home during my daily habits, I try to work hard and enjoy what I am doing. Dedication creates the person you want to be. You may not always want to do something and the motivation may not always be there, but dedication is what gets you where you want to be. With this, sometimes eliminating the choice can help. For instance, I create a workout schedule of sorts. I have tennis on a certain day, boxing, yoga, my own workouts. I eliminate my choice and just show up. It is no longer a question of will I workout or when. I just do it.
You always have a choice and sometimes you have many choices. Sometimes, like above, the choice is to eliminate the choice.
Now let’s get into the art of choosing and the steps that come along with it.
Look at your overall goal and your current situation. What do you want now and what do you want later? Can they coexist?
For example I want a healthy and fun life full of pleasure and hard work. I just had my time of hard work. The last semester of senior year was crazy. Lots of work and dedication. That aided my goals for the future and helped become the person I want to be in terms of pushing through. However, this trip has been the time for me to let go. If workouts don’t happen who cares. If I don’t eat healthy it doesn’t matter. I let go of control (sort of lol). It felt nice. There wasn’t always a plan and that was ok. So, my healthy lifestyle and fun lifestyle didn’t necessarily coexist the way my mind had imagined but they did in a different way. Feeling free is healthy. Enjoying life is healthy. I got close to 20,000 steps per day and I gained weight that I needed to gain.
2. Evaluate the options you have. What are you leaning towards? Why?
What is your mind telling you? How about your body and heart? Take a full body scan and feel out what you need.
3. Look at the consequences. What will happen after you make your decision?
This is going to get a little vulnerable but… I knew when I let go I would feel like the weight of the world was lifted off my shoulders and I would step into true joy. I knew without control I would be able to experience the magic and beauty of each country so much more. I also knew it would feel a bit scary. I’m used to my routine. However this meant I would grow and learn. I knew I would gain weight. Vacation weight is worth it because the food is insane, but it doesn’t make it any less uncomfortable. Change is weird, scary, strange, but also needed.
4. Make your choice and stick with it. No regrets. Everything happens for a reason.
If you make a choice and it can’t be changed, accept it and move on. If you have made a mindful choice that is all you can do!