Why waiting is not Always the best option

It struck me to speak on the idea of waiting, and why I think waiting is not always the best option. I find that there are times when waiting just brings, not clarity, but confusion and indecision. Sometimes I wait due to indecision. Sometimes the decisions that we make don’t come with guaranteed results. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t act on something.

When I was younger

When I was 13 I began to journal, and I had this little electronic diary called My Dear Diary that I loved. I still remember it was purple and it held some of my deepest thoughts and i carried it with me everywhere. I wouldn’t say that it held all my deepest secrets though.

There was a sort-of ease to try new things when I was younger that I feel I no longer have. It’s as if growing up took some of the naive wonder that I once possessed. That wonder and naive confidence seems to have been replaced by perfectionism, procrastination, and doubt. I have become quite fluent in talking myself out of things.

Sometimes I over complicate things

I have written and done creative things for as long as I can remember. In 2013 I actually started a blog and stopped while we were trying to get pregnant. When I got the itch to write again I felt so paralyzed by indecision. I procrastinated like it was my Job. There were so many ideas that I was flooded with but I kept giving myself new things I had to do before my Blog was “ready.”

I created a list that basically over-complicated going forward with this Blog. As if I hadn’t done any of it before. I was waiting for all the ideas and how they would all come together {perfectly} before it was ready.

Waiting too long to act

Doubt crept in and I told myself that I let too many years pass without blogging. I told myself that I had a bunch of new things to learn before I could start. I purchased 3 different domain names and allowed them to expire.

The thoughts swirled around my head that so many other people were blogging. Then I condemned myself for not continuing the one that I had. I had the notion that I waited too long to get back into it.

How often do we do that though? Wait expecting the exact plan, and outcome to happen, until we act on an idea.

Decisions, decisions

I know I’m not the only person who does this. Whether the reasons for waiting are lack of clarity, fear, a lack of self confidence, or straight up perfectionism. None of us has it all figured out. Though some people are more decisive than others. What our next steps should be are not always super clear or obvious. Does that mean we should wait until the coast is clear and the path is a perfect straight line? I don’t think being super impulsive is the best move either.

However I have learned that I [personally] have more clarity when I actually move in some direction, than in no direction at all.

I don’t remember who said it but I heard it a few years ago and it has stuck with me. “Clarity comes through action.”

I believe this to be true for me, as I have realized that the more I wait, the more I doubt. Consequently when I wait more, I doubt more. This may be different for you depending on how you make decisions. When I actually do make the choice to move forward with or without a plan I gain something. Sometimes I simply gain perspective on what I don’t want to do, or what doesn’t work. That in itself is a type of clarity.

Moving forward

So it’s possible that being still and waiting is a good choice in certain scenarios. In others waiting is just that. Waiting may not be the best option if you Know in your gut you should do something. The pieces don’t always fall right into place signalling that the time is right! I mean how much of life actually goes precisely planned out anyways?

Sometimes I wait so long that I actually second guess the idea I had to begin with. Doubt becomes the loudest voice drowning out any sure thoughts I waited too long to act upon.

I’ve come to a decision in making decisions. HA isn’t that ironic. Come what may, just make a decision, move forward and gain the clarity that you can’t while not moving toward something. I’m telling myself this!

Transparency

One of the things I wanted to do with this blog is sharing the things of “real life.” Not some concocted image to appear perfect. Life is messy and sometimes things in our lives, hearts, and minds are messy as well. We go through different Seasons, emotions, challenges, and stages of growth. Transparency and relate-ability is important for me to share on this Blog.

Writing actually helps me to clear my head and get some thoughts out so I can get closer to clarity. I believe Introspection is important to get a sense of where our minds may be at a given time. However, I also have come to realize on a personal level that sharing different things helps me.

So the Blog is happening. I won’t wait for it all to be perfect. I’m walking forward for clarity and I’m getting out of my own way! I will learn and share as I prayerfully go forward in some direction even if the path is not perfectly clear.