As the beautiful, spirited, creative, and constantly evolving human I know you are, it’s inevitable that – from time to time – you will change your mind.

Shock horror!

It happens.

But, with that, you might find yourself experiencing a host of other emotions that look something like this:

+ Guilt around heading in a different direction

+ Shame about not getting it “right” the first time

+ Worry of what others will think of you

+ Anxiety that you’ll let someone down or they’ll get mad at you

+ Anger at yourself for not sticking with your original plan or decision

+ Fear that this might be “wrong” as well

I have one thing to say:

It’s time to let go of what you think ‘should’ be and embrace that every decision is leading you somewhere.

We strive for this thing called perfection, but it’s a myth.

Perfection would be simple and boring and monotonous.

We fear looking stupid or letting people down or going back on something we said previously, when we were in a different place, seeing the world with different eyes.

But things change. People change. Circumstances change. The world around us changes.

Life is full of crazy, messy change. And, so, I’m pretty sure the way to change your mind and not look stupid is to embrace this notion, wholeheartedly.

Messy is creative. It’s fun. It’s adventurous and complicated and exciting and sometimes it hurts but it makes us really FEEL alive and appreciate the wonderful times. It’s the scenic route that takes us to places we never thought imaginable.

It’s making a decision and then changing our minds and heading down a different path. It’s going back to what felt right. It’s knowing that we never really know what we want until we find what we don’t want.

If you don’t believe me that it’s okay to change your mind or your direction:

:: Read this post

:: Read Mastin Kipp’s incredible scenic route in Daily Love: Growing Into Grace

:: Watch Jobs and see what leaving (and returning to) Apple did for Steve Jobs

:: Read this article on The Change Blog

:: Take Edward DeBono’s advice – “If you can’t change your mind, why have one?”

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The thing is, we don’t know what tomorrow will bring. You are the only person who has to live your life and if you’re worried that people are going to judge you for making a choice about YOUR life, that probably says more about them and their plans for you than anything.

To change your mind or have a ‘do over’ or listen to your heart are the things that make you YOU, as long as you’re not intentionally hurting anyone, you need to do what feels right and have your own back (because why should someone else, if you don’t?)

Everything feels like the right decision at the time. And if it’s not, you can guarantee that it will lead you somewhere even better than you had initially thought.

Be intentional. Make decisions with a curious and thoughtful mind. Let go of the belief that you are in control of what happens next. And know that you can always change your mind again.

There’s a bit of a side story to this post and I’ll be sharing it in my next newsletter. If you’re curious, make sure you’re on the list (pop your name in the box below).

And please share this with someone who might be stressing about making the wrong decision (you might really help them!)

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