Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of options you have in life? 

Whether it’s what to eat for lunch, what to watch on Netflix, what to do when the weekend comes, who to talk to, or what to stand for?  

So much so that you may find yourself paralyzed by indecision, ending up with you not doing anything because…well, there is so much to do.

You are not alone. Many millennials are experiencing what some experts call the “epidemic of overwhelm” – the silent dis-ease caused by having too many options. While having choices is a sign of freedom and opportunity, it can also be a source of stress and confusion.

How can we cope with this overwhelm and find clarity in our lives? 

How can we make decisions that align with our values and goals? How can we enjoy the abundance of possibilities without feeling burdened by them?

The answer is simple: CLARITY. Clarity is our way home. Clarity is the state of being clear about who we are, what we want, and how we can achieve it. Most importantly, I’ve found Clarity is the antidote to overwhelm.

But how do we achieve clarity? Here are five ways that can help you get clearer on the things you believe in and the things you enjoy in this fascinating life:

Journaling

Writing down your thoughts and feelings can help you process your emotions, gain insights, and discover patterns. A journal can literally be a manual for your life.  As you note your goals, track your progress, and celebrate your achievements, it becomes easy to see your life patterns.  Maybe there were some things you handled extremely well in the past and you can now draw on that wisdom.  Maybe there was an opportunity you missed because you were not ready, but now you can be prepared.  Journaling is a powerful tool for self-awareness and self-expression that helps you to find clarity in your life.

Research

 One of my favourite quotes from Wayne Dyer is ‘no one knows enough to be a pessimist’

Sometimes our confusion is not from the lack of information but from being unable to access the right information.  

Reading books, articles, blogs, or anything that interests you can expand your knowledge, stimulate your imagination, and inspire you to get clarity. Also, there are no new things under the sun, everything you are facing, someone faced previously and conquered. Research can therefore expose you to different perspectives, opinions, and experiences that can challenge your assumptions and broaden your horizons. Research is a wonderful way to learn, grow and get clarity.

Meditation

Meditation is the practice of focusing your attention on a single object, such as your breath, a mantra, or a sound. Meditation can help you calm your mind, reduce stress, and enhance your well-being. Most significantly, meditation helps you cultivate mindfulness.  If you see yourself becoming overpowered with too many choices, meditation increases your ability to be present and aware of your thoughts, feelings, sensations, and surroundings. As you become more aware of your thoughts, you are better able to sift through them and choose the best path for you instead of being stuck with indecision.

Routines

 Our minds love familiarity. So one way to cut down on the amount of decisions you have to make daily is to have healthy habits and routines.

This is more than a morning routine. This is a set time and sequence for handling things you do often. Instead of coming home and deciding what you want for dinner, have a weekly dinner plan. Tuesday’s are for stew turkey and callaloo. That takes the guesswork ( and making decisions) out of play.

Set up routines for micro-events, for example, I have a ‘getting home’ sequence that goes like this: – put your keys in their designated place, change, start dinner, shower, check social media, finish dinner, toastmaster duties, laundry etc.

That way I’m not wasting time looking for my keys in the morning and I’m not doom-scrolling when I should be making dinner.

Move your body

Yoga and dancing are my 2 favourite mind-clearing exercises and both are forms of physical activity that can benefit your body and mind. It’s commonly known that yoga and dancing can help you improve your posture, flexibility, strength, balance, and coordination. But, moving your body can also help you release tension, boost your mood, and have fun.  What’s more is that, as you get into your body and out of your head, the clarity and calmness to make healthy decisions come easily.

These are just some of the ways that can help you find clarity in a world of choices. Of course, you may have other methods that work better for you. The important thing is to find what resonates with you and make it a habit.

If you need some guidance on how to start or maintain a journaling practice, I have something for you. I have created a gratitude journal that can help you cultivate a positive mindset and appreciate the good things in your life. You can grab it from Amazon by clicking the link in my bio.

I hope this blog post has helped you in some way. Remember: clarity is our way home. Don’t let feelings of overwhelm stop you from living your best life.

If you enjoyed it, please share it with your friends and follow me on Instagram. Also, don’t forget to listen to the 5 Years to Forty podcast where I share more tips on how to live your best life as a millennial.

Thank you for reading!