Overthinker

I got my nose pierced today.

I’ve thought about getting it done ever since I was a teenager. And at nearly 34 years old, I finally did it.

Now that I’ve done it, I’m wondering about why I waited so long. What was the big deal?

This happens to me a lot.

I am an overthinker. Those of you that know me well know that this is nothing new. When a decision needs to be made, I like to mull it over, do my research and feel 100% good about the decision I’m making. It’s rare that I make a decision on anything significant without giving it some serious thought.

The ability to just make a decision without thinking it to death is something I really admire in my husband Sean. He has the confidence to say “I want to do something”, figure out how to get it, and work at it till he has done it. The guy has a lot of adventures as a result.

I get stuck at “I want to do this, but…”:

• Is it a good idea?
• Can I pull it off?
• Can I afford it?
• Where is the best place to do this?
• When can I do it?
• Will someone come with me?
• Will I be accepted as a legitimate do-er of said activity?
• And it goes on (and on) like this…

All of these questions lead to frantic Googling, pros and cons lists and annoying everyone with the “what do *you* think I should do?” question.

All this thinking doesn’t lead to doing – or consciously Not Doing. It just just leads to hamster wheeling.

I got off the hamster wheel today because I was sick of listening to myself dither. I was driving myself crazy. I did some last-minute thinking this morning, but at lunch time, I left my office and walked with purpose to the piercing place. I only hesitated outside for a minute or so and I walked in. I didn’t tell anyone I was going.

I was nervous as I filled out the release form. I got less nervous as the procedure was explained to me.

Then it was done.

I looked in the mirror and was proud that I finally did it. That I made the decision on my own and I felt good about the result.

If anyone has any advice on how to make a decision quickly and thoughtfully, without making yourself crazy, I’m all ears. Or, I guess I should say, I’m looking for what everyone else already nose about decision making.