Confusion can crop up at any time, in any scenario. Whether it's maintaining relationships, identifying career paths, money woes or the fraught area of love and romance -- intricate knots of perplexity can unravel the most composed among us. In those moments, it can seem impossible to find a way out of the mire of feelings and thoughts. But there are steps you can take to gain clarity amidst confusion.
Though these tumultuous tangles may be difficult to untangle, life-altering decisions need not be made in haste. Tough times can often offer an opportunity for inner growth and self-reflection -- important processes that foster personal fulfillment. So how does one avoid making skewed decisions during confusion? And what techniques can one utilize to reach a place of clarity?
Allow yourself to ride the wave of the emotions summoned by your confusion. Acceptance is crucial, so cut yourself some slack throughout the process. Though it may be tempting to take the reins from the very beginning and control the situation with haste, all that matters is that whatever decision you eventually opt for, you make it with a clear head. Emotional turbulence can cloud judgment and leave you vulnerable to making choices you may later come to regret.
In many cases, confusion can stem from a lack of understanding of the issues at hand. Your initial confusion may be regarding what could be the best step forward or the next logical action to take. Much of the time, this is the result of the answer being unclear, leaving you sailing in empty seas with no one route to choose. Writing these things down can help you gain much-needed clarity. Make two columns on a piece of paper; label the left side “What I Understand” and label the right “What I Don’t Understand”. In the first column, write down everything you feel you understand about the choosing dilemma. As for the second column, ask questions related to anything that you are unsure of or confused about. If necessary, you can even break the two columns down further into specifics -- like the pros and cons, if applicable -- in order to gain clarity about the finer points of the situation.
It can be helpful to chat with people who may've experienced something similar before. Speak to them and pay close attention to their insights. Audience broadening allows for understanding beyond one’s own perspectives and preconceived notions surrounding the topic. Speak to friends and family, but go beyond that by conversing with qualified mental health professionals, mediators, consultants and general advisors. Receiving a broader range of opinions will give you more information with which to make the best decisions possible.
Spend time alone and observe yourself objectively whilst exploring the chaos within. Ask yourself questions like “What am I feeling?” and “What do I need right now?" Strive to tap into your subconscious thoughts and identify any deeply hidden emotions latent in the confusion. Ask yourself also if there is anything you can do to alter what you’re feeling, and note your observations in a journal. Doing so paves the way for your internal voice to be heard and understood in the midst of muddled thoughts and emotions, rendering a path to reinstate order.
It is only you who can make the hard decisions life requires. But by taking your time and allowing yourself to explore your emotions and options, you will be able to arrive at a point of enlightenment. By prioritizing internal exploration and ignoring the urge to act impulsively, you will be able to make an informed decision, based not on rashness but instead on clarity and insight.
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