For years, I struggled to make decisive choices that genuinely served me. I often rushed, driven by a sense of urgency and the need to please others, only to regret my decisions later. It became clear that my indecisiveness and confusion weren’t just bad habits—they were the natural result of years spent ignoring my own inner voice.

When we live to please others, we often disconnect from what we actually feel or need. In my case, this people-pleasing meant I wasn’t in touch with my instincts. I became so accustomed to making choices based on what others expected that when I had to make decisions for myself, I was lost. The “right” decision seemed unclear, leaving me feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and unsure.

But what I’ve learned is that honoring the self doesn’t come naturally when we’ve spent years cut off from our own feelings. We have to take a deep breath, slow down, and truly listen to ourselves. This means spending time alone, away from the pressures of external expectations, and reconnecting with our instincts. It means taking small, daily steps to feel what we feel, to sit with our fears of not being loved or accepted, and to begin trusting that quiet inner voice we often ignore.

When we give ourselves permission to pause and tune in, decision-making becomes easier. We no longer feel the pressure to rush or to make choices that don’t serve us. Instead, we begin to choose based on what truly aligns with our well-being, leading to choices that bring peace and fulfillment. Reclaiming this power isn’t easy, but with patience, we can start to make decisions that finally reflect who we truly are.