I’ve struggled with indecision my whole life. My friends who know me well know that there’s nothing I hate more than having to make a decision, whether it’s choosing what restaurant to eat at or what to order off the menu or where to live.
My astrologer told me it’s because I’m a Libra (the sign of the scales), and because Libras are so balanced, we see every option equally. We see the pros and the cons of every decision. In fact, if you look up the traits of Libras, indecisive is the first so-called “weakness” you see:
Strengths: Cooperative, diplomatic, gracious, fair-minded, social
Weaknesses: Indecisive, avoids confrontations, will carry a grudge, self-pity
My indecision is a part of me, and I try to embrace it as much as I can every day—to welcome the things I don’t know, to rejoice in my freedom and the infinite possibilities I get to choose from. I’ve learned that when I feel overwhelmed with a decision, there are ways that I can go within, get quiet, and find the peace I need that will lead me to clarity.
1. Take a walk in nature.
I find walking to be incredibly meditative. The systematic movement of our bodies when we are walking helps us to quiet our minds and tap into our intuitive subconscious (where the answers lie). You can even state an intention or ask a question as you walk and the answer will often come to you. To try this: As you begin to walk, state your intention or ask a question… then immediately let it go… release it into the world… breathe a sigh of relief… listen… observe… and let the answer come to you when the time is right. It will surprise you when you least expect it.
2. Go outside and look at the night sky.
Anytime we lose our sense of clarity or peace, we can get it back almost instantly the moment we step outside and connect with the night sky—the stars, the planets, the galaxies. The universe represents infinite possibilities; it represents freedom; it represents the limitless nature of our reality. When we are staring up into the open expanse of space, we remember what matters most to us and the decisions we’re struggling to make seem a little bit smaller than they seemed before.
3. Ask for guidance before you fall asleep.
I recently started a practice of asking the universe to deliver what I need to receive in my sleep. Sometimes I ask for clarity. Sometimes I ask for the answer to a specific question. Sometimes I ask for comfort. Whatever I feel the greatest need for at that time in my life is what I ask for. You can also ask in general for anything you need to know or learn to come through in your dreams. You’ll receive what you need on a subconscious level, and even if you can’t remember it when you wake up, it will become clear with time.
4. Reconnect with the present moment.
Connecting with the present moment brings us out of our thinking minds and into our feeling hearts, so that we can use our intuition to sense what we really want. There are lots of ways to reconnect with the present moment. Run through a sprinkler. Jump around in your living room. Jump out of an airplane. Close your eyes and count to 25. Scream at the top of your lungs. Whistle your favorite song. Take off your shoes and run through the grass. Meditate. Whatever connects you to the present moment is worth doing in some capacity right now, and it will bring you closer to clarity.
5. Journal.
Writing shows us what we’re thinking and what we’re feeling; what we know already on a subconscious level that hasn’t become conscious yet. It brings the abstract into clearer form. It doesn’t matter where you write or what you write about or for how long you write. There are zero rules when it comes to writing, except to go with your gut. Trust your intuition. Write whatever you feel led to write. Bring all of your confusion, anxiety, fear to the page and release it into your writing. You’ll be amazed at what you find.
6. Create something.
When we create in any way—painting, drawing, singing, dancing, playing music, cooking—we are giving form to the unformed. We are channeling our feelings of confusion and uncertainty into our creativity to produce something wonderful. Something real. Something substantive. Something we can actually make sense of. We can sit around thinking about what confuses us, and come away with nothing except for more confusing thoughts. Or we can channel our confusion into creativity, and come away with something beautiful that sheds light on the situation in front of us.
7. Get physically active.
Movement helps to quiet the thinking mind and put us in touch with the raw, physical, intuitive, sensory side of ourselves—the physical feeling part of ourselves. That’s the part of ourselves we want to tap into when we are seeking clarity, because our feelings always tell the truth. The thinking mind can play tricks on us, but the way we feel is always honest. Any type of physical activity like biking, running, yoga, playing Frisbee, taking a walk, flying a kite, brings us out of our heads and into our hearts.
I hope this list helps you. Be gentle with yourself. Take your time. I’d love to hear your own ways to peace and clarity in the comments below.
Best of wishes. xo
