I’ve lived in this little house for close to seven years. In that time I’ve never gotten around to making the little touches that turn a house into a home. I didn’t see the point since I didn’t know how long I was going to live here. Was I going to upgrade to another house, move into an RV, or thin down to almost nothing and travel once the kid was gone?
I honestly didn’t know. Something deep inside of me was restless so rather than waste time, money, and effort getting comfortable here I just made do in several areas. I would probably relocate after the kid left for college anyway, I reasoned.
I spent the first few days in shock after the kid turned 18. The knowledge that I was legally free of the responsibilities of parenthood and could do what I wanted did not compute. What would I do? While I still had a year before she left for college, I needed to get cracking!
But then I realized something: I am happy here. I like the house, I like the area, I even like the simple job that allows me to pay my bills while pursuing my simple passions.
I didn’t have to move. I didn’t have to travel. I didn’t have to go out in search of answers or happiness or even adventure.
I had enough right here, right now. I could settle down and stay right here.
As a result of finally making a decision I’ve finally started to settle in. I purchased a set of curtains to begin the adventure of making this little house a home. Once I accomplish the goal of getting my window treatments sorted I’ll move on to another.
Many people fail to realize how liberating it can be to make a decision. It frees you from considering other possibilities and allows you to focus on a single path instead of worrying about all of the other paths you could or should be taking.
For me personally, making the decision to remain here even after the kid moves out eliminated a stress that I didn’t even know I was carrying. It allowed me to admit that I didn’t need to travel. I didn’t need to move, change my circumstances, chase some dream or fulfil some magical bucket list.
I am happy right where I’m at.
What decisions have you held off making? Please share your stories in the comments below.
That sounds like the right decision to make. Happy for you.
I have faced this issue just recently at work. A new position is becoming available and I thought about moving into it. But the more thought I gave it the more I realized I’m very happy with were I am and what I am doing now. I don’t need to move to be fulfilled and happy.
It takes a certain level of maturity to acknowledge that they are content where they are. Good for you!
Great advice. If you refuse to decide, in reality you are allowing others (or events) to make the decision FOR YOU.
Exactly!
Congratulations on making the decision, Annie. Making a decision is freeing, as you wrote.
After spending the last two years miserable in my job, trying to decide what I should do- stay and suffer or move on to something new- the opportunity to make a decision was presented. I qualified for and was offered early retirement. That made my decision- I said yes! to the retirement offer.
Having made that decision, I am free to move on with my life and pursue a new adventure. Just don’t quite know what that will be. Looks like I have another decision to make!
Congratulations on your early retirement! Just take your time to unwind a bit…you’ll figure out what you want to do. And remember–it is perfectly acceptable to do nothing at all so long as you can afford to live on your retirement income. You could relax and take a break.