"My honest opinion and my friendly advice is this: do it or do not do it — you will regret both."

[underused]

from Either/Or: A Life Fragment by Søren Kierkegaard

---

Lately, I've had several conversations about the difficulty of making decisions--especially when faced with sets of similar options. Sooner or later we find ourselves stuck, worrying we'll make the wrong choice.

But the notion of a "wrong" choice implies there's a "right" one--one with no disadvantages. I find it liberating to think there may be neither. Whatever we choose will come with a measure of disappointment (or satisfaction) that often depends more on our own perception than on the thing itself.

(Disclaimer: I'm referring to relatively harmless choices that are somewhat matched and not obviously terrible. Between "should I betray a friend or eat a salad" I hope we can agree one comes with notably fewer regrets.)

Comments

[amidthestars]

This is such a helpful way to think about things. I'm definitely someone who struggles to make decisions - and who is convinced, often way beyond reason, that there is a "right" choice to make, or even a right way to be, to live.

When I can manage it, I find the most reassurance in remembering that everything is a learning experience - that even trying something and failing, or finding that it isn't for me, is helpful in that it teaches me things I wouldn't have otherwise known.

[balganwall]

I could use some thoughtful, life-changing reading material. This would make some nice, light afternoon read--

*sees 800 page count*

Guess I'll treat this as more of a reading journey...