Commitment is scary

It means that no matter what happens, you need to show up. I know for a fact I’ll be pulling my hair out trying to write daily on the blog. (Figuratively though - I swear i’m already receding a little so can’t risk that).

But once you’ve made an explicit commitment, it’s actually easier in the long run.

Take the wholesome example of killing someone. We know VISCERALLY it’s just not even an option. We’ve committed to not doing it, and there’s no conscious exertion of whether we’ll change our mind…

But something like lactose intolerance is a d.o.o.z.y. Dairy is good, ice-cream is really good, cake is oh so good. So we spend a lot of time just deciding whether something is ‘worth it to eat’, instead of just committing to either eat it or not. BUT, of course if you don’t mind occasional shitty situations, then that in itself is a commitment.

Something I remind myself, is that indecisiveness and excuses like “I don’t have time” just mean that we’re not committed. It takes conscious reflection to understand whether this thing is WORTH committing to, or something you don’t actually don’t mind cancelling from your life. So ask yourself:

“Am I wishy-washy because I actually don’t like __ and want to quit, OR I do want to commit but I just haven’t been firm with myself?”

(Btw, we’re not firm with ourselves partly because we fear being ‘locked in’ to an identity, and because it forces us to say no to other opportunities)

But ironically, once we commit, indecisiveness just disappears. So catch yourself when you say “I don’t have time” or “maybe just this one time…” Chances are you’re in a un-commitment limbo.

Jo

(I will just say that writing this post was e.f.f.o.r.t. Could not get coherent ideas out there, but oh well, I’ve committed so here it remains!)