Last November I had an MRI. Part of that process for me is taking a sedative as the MRI has become more and more claustrophobic. I had some family drive me to and from the procedure and I had to sign several pages of paperwork. One of the statements I had to sign read “do not make any important decisions until the medication has worn off’ Thinking this was a no brainer, I signed. When is it appropriate to decide based off emotion?
Researching this topic, I found zero articles giving a clear-cut area where it is okay to decide based off of emotion alone.
Thinking of areas where the consequences of emotional decisions are clear cut. Gambling a large amount of money, comfort by way of consistent use of alcohol, drugs or sex, dangerous thrill-seeking opportunities. The list can go on and on.
What about the times when emotions are not the driving force and when anxiety becomes a greater factor in making a sizable decision?
The most stress I have experienced at once was in the Fall of last year in selling a house. I was told by the realtor the house would sell in a weekend based off location alone. With that I even went ahead and entered a contract to buy a condo. Offers came quickly so I thought the whole process of moving and getting rid of 50 plus years’ worth of junk may take a whole month.
As time went on, the process was drawn out more and more as two buyers pulled out after doing their due diligence of going through the property. Somehow, the person who did buy the house got word that a deal had fallen through and gave me an offer.
By this point several months had gone by, I was paying the tenet at the condo I was in contract with as this person was discouraged at how long this process was taking. Part of the decision were the emotions of the compounded frustration and disappointment of the process. I just wanted to move. So, I took the deal which although was way below asking price, was fair.
The same scenario goes for a person who has been job hunting for over a year. The constant rejection of jobs applied for makes the person more apt to take a job at a that is less than ideal they would not have considered before.
Often what is fueling the anxious side of compromising on a large decision such as selling a house or searching for a job is the stark reality of lack of money whether that is not having enough saved and/or the emotional toll the process has taken.
Another time when it is appropriate to decide based off emotion is when you are faced with a difficult choice. In these situations, logic may not be enough to help you decide. Emotions can help you to weigh the pros and cons of each option and make a decision that is right for you.
However, it is important to note that emotions should not be the only factor that influences your decisions. When deciding, it is important to consider all the facts and to weigh the pros and cons of each option. Emotions can help you to decide, but they should not be the only factor that you consider.
What helps is to realize that the house will sell, a job will be found. Nothing makes time come to a slow and agonizing still like the pain of disappointment. What helps, as hard as it is, is to have perspective and doing whatever needs to be done to take a step back to perhaps see through a different perspective.
If you are looking for a therapist near you then a Google search is a great way of finding one. I happen to be a therapist in Charlotte, NC but am licensed to counsel anyone in the state of North Carolina. In Google, try looking for “psychotherapist,” “find therapist,” “therapy near me,” or even “counseling charlotte, nc.” If you feel like you have hit a wall you are not able to get past, call me at (704) 458-6298 or email me at jeffhelms@clearerthoughtspllc.com.
Learn more about Individual Therapy, Couples Therapy or Christian Therapy.
Follow Clearer Thoughts on Facebook. Click here.
Clearer Thoughts is on Instagram. Click here.
You can set up an appointment for your free 30-minute consultation by clicking here.
