Questioning Decisions ~
Have you ever made a decision, whether major or minor, and what you wanted to happen for yourself happened for someone else?
As you know, I have wanted to sell my house. I live in a 55+ development which is very new. The oldest home in our development was built in 2023. After four months on the market and continued comments about it being overpriced - as based on the cost of a stripped down version by the builder - I decided to take my house off the market. At the time I took mine off the market, my next door neighbor put their house on the market, and the house is now under contract with a buyer; just two months later. I know the asking price of their home per Zillow and will find out soon enough how much the selling price was. Knowing the price of the stripped down cost of the house via the builder, and having a general idea of what it cost just to put in their backyard, and if I subtract the 4% - 6% commission for the realtor, I have no doubt they lost money on this sale. This assures me I made the right decision to postpone selling and just lease for now. Yet, I question myself. But, should I?
I am a believer in reflecting upon life; the good, the bad, and the ugly. Reflection can make me question my decisions, what I experience, and my actions and even my values and aspirations.I recently came across an article in Psychology Today that supports my stance on how self-reflection is a great way to personally grow. Granted, the article was published at the first of the year, I still found it thought-provoking. Yet, it reminds me to ask myself five essential questions about the decisions I make and when the mind wars start in my head.
What story have I been telling myself about who I am, and how has it influenced my choices?
What parts of my story feel outdated or no longer true?
Who do I want to become in the year ahead, and what stories will support that growth?
What fears or doubts are holding me back from rewriting my story?
What is one intentional step I can take to embody a new story?
A story can be your life story, but I think of the word story as the story in every small and large happening in my daily life. It could be a significant happening or decision in a given day, but even more so, the everyday things that plague my healing: a trip to the market, a disagreement with my boss, whether or not to go to the gym, and so forth. Those five questions, as stated in the article, are so powerful. When the mind wars start, I plan to use these questions to help me stop spinning the wheels in my head and start to resolve them quickly.
I have so much to rewire and rewrite every single day. My thoughts about myself, self-awareness, emotional honesty, and who I am - and not what others have told me I am - are all part of my personal narrative that shapes my thoughts and actions each day.
I know I made a good decision to postpone selling my house until the market turns. I just have to have faith in the process and patience in the time it will take to sell it. Hope you enjoy the article.
Ending the mind wars ~ julie
If you feel so inclined, please reply with your thoughts.
Note: JM Lane is NOT a mental health professional, nor does she carry a license to practice medicine. Posts, blogs, and content are based on JM Lane’s personal experiences, perceptions, and reflections. By no means does any material convey what others should or should not do.