3 Ways to Make Aligned Decisions
The other day my husband and I were looking at photos and videos on our phone from the US road trip we took last year. He turned to me and said “Imagine if we didn’t do this? Imagine if we had just stayed home doing our normal day to day routine?”
While we were very lucky to have the means to go on a 5 month road trip, we also worked very hard, both physically and mentally, to make it happen.
Physically: We saved, we researched, we actually built a tiny home inside of a van (with help), we planned, we set up systems in our work life that enabled us to work remotely while traveling.
Mentally: We chose to listen to our guts and bring our vision to life. We chose to take scary leaps of faith like leaving a safe and comfortable career, and giving up our apartment lease. We trusted that this idea came into our minds because we could achieve it if we wanted to, even if it was an unconventional choice.
And the older I get, the more I want to make those kinds of decisions. The ones that are a little out of the ordinary but excite me. The ones that are out of my comfort zone but my inner knowing is telling me to do it. The ones that I look back on and say “imagine if I didn’t do that?”
It’s not always easy, but here are three things that made our road trip decision easier for us, and I’m confident they’ll help us continue to live a life of no regrets or “what if’s.”
Define Your Values and Priorities
Identifying personal values as guiding principles is one of the most important factors in making decisions. When you take time to reflect on what you currently value in life, it can push you to align your choices with your true self, regardless of what is expected of you. Our values change as we evolve, so gaining clarity on what our values are at each stage of our lives can guide us to taking actions that align deeply with our beliefs and aspirations.
For me, this meant my time as a classroom teacher had come to an end. My values had shifted and I was craving an adventure and freedom that I could not attain by teaching every day. Taking time to reflect on my values and my goals got me to a place of clarity and confidence in my choice to leave my job and travel with my husband and dog.
2. Prioritize Your Health
Prioritizing both physical and mental health lays the foundation for a life where putting yourself first comes naturally. When you nurture your body and mind you cultivate a relationship with yourself that encourages you to take the time to reflect on what you need and navigate choices and challenges with more clarity.
For me, carving out time in my life to practice self care in the many ways that are important to me (working out, reading, journaling, going outside) creates a space for me to connect with myself and think about what I need and want in my life, so that I can make decisions that align with my values and priorities!
3. Be Open to Learning
As humans we are curious by nature and being open to following those curiosities is a way to embrace new experiences. I once read that “curiosities are gems from the universe.” To me, this means that when you have an idea you want to learn more about, there’s a reason for that! Being open to learning more about things that we’re curious about can lead us to directions we might not have expected, but are so good for us!
I wasn’t always curious about traveling the country, but once I developed the interest I am glad I followed that feeling and in doing so realized that it was actually something that closely aligned with my values. Additionally, in following through with the idea I learned so much about myself, my relationship, and what I want out of life. When you make a decision and stick with it, there will always be something to learn and reflect on, regardless of how the situation turns out!
Remember…
Prioritizing core values, health, and a commitment to lifelong learning all go hand in hand and cultivate a path to living authentically.
By staying true to yourself you can navigate life with authenticity and embrace your journey with confidence and purpose so that you never need to look back and wonder “what if?”
