Squirrel!
In our quest to make the right choices in life, many of us often find ourselves chasing elusive squirrels of doubt and uncertainty. We obsess over the concept of finding the “right” decision, getting caught up in a whirlwind of what-ifs and countless scenarios. While it’s undoubtedly essential to consider the impact of our choices on our well-being and that of those around us, it’s equally important not to let these squirrels hold us back from progress. In this journal entry, we’ll explore the art of making choices, being decisive, and embracing the path to clarity, even when faced with challenging decisions.
The Struggle to Decide
Decision-making can be a daunting task. It’s natural to want to make choices that align with our goals and values, but the fear of making the wrong decision often paralyzes us. This constant quest for perfection can leave us stuck, endlessly pondering our options instead of taking action.
Finding Clarity Through Walking
One powerful method to cut through the noise and find clarity is to incorporate walking into your routine. Walking provides a space for contemplation, where you can allocate a portion of your time for strategic thinking while dedicating the majority to connecting with your surroundings. It’s a form of soul-work that takes you out of your head and onto the path, offering valuable insights and inner peace.
Set Aside Time for Strategy
During your walks, designate a specific period for strategic thinking and stick to it. This is the time to assess your options, weigh the pros and cons, and consider the potential outcomes of your decisions. By doing so, you ensure that your choices are grounded in careful consideration and that the what-ifs and infinite scenarios don’t creep into the rest of the walk. You are dedicating your time to figuring. Outside of that window, the figuring is done.
Embrace Inspiration and Awareness
The rest of your walking period can be dedicated to embracing inspiration and fostering self-awareness. Allow yourself to become fully present in the moment, soaking in the world unfolding around you. It’s during these moments that you can let go of the constant mental chatter and simply be. If you find your mind wanders back, give yourself some love and point out 5 things you are seeing in your surroundings and name them. “Tree, car, boat, road, rock”. Whatever you see first. It will help remind you of where you are in the present moment. Then try 4 things you can hear. Feel your feet on the trail or sidewalk and remember you are here and now. Not in the future or the past.
Accept the Unpredictable
Just like the occasional appearance of a squirrel on your path, life is unpredictable. Embrace the uncertainty and allow yourself to flow with it. While you can’t control every aspect of your journey, you can control your response to it. You might need a gentle reminder that no matter what you do decide, we can’t predict with certainty the exactness of the way anything will go. So we can consciously surrender to the unpredictable as part of our experience.
Perfection is an Illusion
In the pursuit of making choices and navigating life’s challenges, remember perfection is an illusion. Instead of endlessly chasing squirrels of distraction, doubt and overthinking, choose to embrace present-moment clarity and self-kindness through walking. Set aside time for strategic thinking, but also allow yourself to be inspired and self-aware during your journey. By doing so, you’ll find that decisions become clearer, and the path forward becomes more defined. You can join us on this journey of self-discovery and forward movement, one step at a time, and watch as the struggling squirrel within you learns to drop the nuttiness and lets you focus on the walk ahead 🐿️🐿️🐿️.
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