AS WE NAVIGATE THE START AND POTENTIAL STOP OF A NEW SCHOOL YEAR, DAY-TO-DAY LIFE CAN FEEL ANXIETY-PROVOKING, OVERWHELMING AND DIFFICULT.
The fall season has always been a time of changing weather, shifting priorities and new intentions. It marks a point in time when we begin to make plans for fall festivals and upcoming holidays.
From childcare to holiday planning, decision-making can feel burdensome and never-ending. It seems many decisions rest on the cliff of choosing between sanity and safety. For example, you know to preserve your sanity you need to get a babysitter a few times a week to bring more balance to your life but you have anxiety about bringing someone into your family pod.
How do you make healthy decisions during this time of uncertainty?
1. EXPLORE ALL OPTIONS
If you are not sure what decision is best for you and your loved ones, talk or write each possible scenario out. One of the things I do when I feel stuck is to speak out all of the different possibilities. Whether I am talking to a loved one, friend, or simply saying it out-loud to myself, this ritual allows me to hear the options I have stated in an organized, orderly way.
2. PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR BODY
Our bodies are so wise. They have an internal GPS system that guides us along the right path in any situation. As you state or write out your options, pay attention to your body. Is your heart rate accelerating at one of your choices? Do you feel uneasy or anxious as you are considering one of the options?
This is your GPS alerting you that this is not the right option for you. Whether it is an increased heartrate, pressure in your chest or overall discomfort, your body will let you know what options you can cross off the list.
Use your body as a built-in GPS to help you make better decisions in every area of your life.
3. FOLLOW THE PEACE
If you feel anxious, drained or fearful about any of your options, this is the opposite of peace. A very simple way to make decisions in this time is to honor your peace of mind. Do not let outside noise in the form of well intentioned family members or friends move you off the path of peace. When in doubt only go forward if you have true peace and resist the urge to over-explain to those who don’t agree with you.
In a time full of rapidly changing information, guidelines and rules, it’s important to slow down, keep it simple and honor the basics when it comes to making decisions. State your options, listen to your body and follow the peace.
YOU ARE WORTH IT!
Meghan Fritz is a psychotherapist practicing at Fritz, Stanger & Associates. For more information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
