I’ve definitely missed out on opportunities because I was hesitant about making a choice that might have a major impact on how I would be spending my time. The more you question yourself, the more anxious you become, and it all snowballs until you end up avoiding the choice entirely. This kind of self-talk contributes to a vicious cycle.

“I really want this, but what if I fail? Maybe it’s not worth it if it’s not even going to work out…” “I don’t know whether this choice is right for me-what if I hate it? Will I be stuck forever?' You might be distracted by thoughts like. On the other hand, try not to let fear paralyze you. A little bit of fear can lead you to think more critically and make more informed choices in the end. While it is possible to choose a direction without too much anxiety, that isn’t always how it plays out.

Some anxiety is a sign that this decision matters to you and that you’re not treating it lightly. You shouldn’t feel silly if you’re concerned about making these choices they warrant concern. Even if it might not always show, everybody grapples with tough decisions, especially in their early 20s. It’s important to remember that these things are scary for practically everyone. Here are 3 things to keep in mind when you’re facing a big decision: 1. Later it was deciding which grad school I wanted to attend. These things can all be pretty daunting, even for the most secure, goal-oriented person (which, for the record, isn’t me). First it was picking UBC, then it was applying to my major. Since then, I’ve realized that “life-altering” choices are something I’m going to be dealing with for a while. The choices they were asking us to make just felt so.permanent. After all, how could I possibly know who I would be in university, let alone for the rest of my life? Every week, entering that classroom filled me with anxiety.Įven though I was lucky enough to know what I wanted to study, it still felt impossible to really know that it was the right choice. When I was in Grade 12, we were required to attend a weekly seminar about preparing for university and making the “correct” life choices.

Big life decisions