10 Decisions That Have Shaped My Life
I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting lately because I believe that owning our story – our choices and experiences – is a key part of owning our Power.
I was inspired to list the ten biggest decisions of my life, and I wanted to share them with you. I don’t know if these are the 10 “biggest” but they are the ten I’m most proud of (in chronological order):
Joining E-Club in high school
Declaring my pysch major and religious studies minor
Studying abroad
Moving to Saint Paul
Letting go of my previous relationship
Moving in with my parents during covid
Buying my house
Starting my own business
Leaving my previous career
Enrolling in the Wayfinder Life Coach Training program
Each of these decisions has a story behind it – a story of immense impact. These decisions have shaped the person I am today. When I reflect on this list collectively, here’s what I notice:
Contrary to the story I used to believe about myself as a shy, timid, risk-averse person, I look at this list and I see courage. I see that I consistently put myself in situations that scared me, that took me outside of my comfort zone, and that I knew would create space for me to grow and evolve.
And at the same time, I knew how to care for myself through those situations. I knew how to set and honor boundaries. And I knew how to balance the risk (real or perceived) I was experiencing with a sense of safety.
I can’t say where or how I learned these things, but I see how the practice of them has shaped my life.
And, most of all - I see my core values. I see growth. I see connection. I see grace. And I feel an immense amount of gratitude.
A friend once offered me this compliment - she said, “You don’t shy away from the hard or big feelings, and you emotionally show up for yourself and others in a consistent and constructive way.”
While I appreciated her words at the time, I’m not sure I fully believed them. But looking at this list, I can see it now. (Sometimes it takes someone who knows and loves you to remind you who you really are.)
What decisions are you most proud of and why?
What values do these decisions reflect?
