How to Make Aligned Decisions (And what an LV bag has to do with it)
This might not be a great example, but when I was living in Munich and about to finish my Bachelor's degree, there was nothing I wanted more than a Louis Vuitton bag.
As soon as I submitted my thesis, I began looking into it. I knew the exact model I wanted. I had saved for it during my entire degree. It was meant to be a reward—something symbolic, something fun.
The only thing holding me back? Whether to buy it new or second-hand.
So, I researched. Hard. I scrolled through resell platforms for hours. Checked prices. Inspected product photos. Tried to spot scams. I visited the actual LV store and compared. I watched videos. I checked forums. And I kept going like this for weeks.
Every single day, for at least an hour, I was deep in decision mode. It stopped being about the bag and became about the right decision. The perfect, flawless, no-regret decision.
Until one Saturday, I woke up, had a glass of water, got dressed, took the S-Bahn into town, and walked straight into the store.
Within 10 minutes, I had the bag in my hand and the receipt in my wallet.
And just like that, the mental load disappeared.
That moment taught me a lot about decision-making.
Decision Fatigue Is Real
When we face too many choices—or even just one that feels really big—our brains go into overdrive. It becomes exhausting. Paralysing.
We:
Delay action
Seek constant reassurance
Obsess over pros and cons
Confuse being well-informed with being emotionally ready
And ironically, all that thinking doesn’t always lead to a better decision. Just a more draining one.
Aligned Decisions Feel Different
Aligned decisions come with clarity—not because they’re easy, but because they fit.
They:
Match your values
Honour your intuition
Feel clear (even if scary)
Leave you feeling lighter, not heavier
If you’re stuck in the loop of indecision, here are three things that can help:
1. Stop Gathering Evidence and Start Listening Inward
If you’ve done your research, more information isn’t the answer. The real question is: what does your gut say?
What feels aligned?
What would your future self thank you for?
What decision feels clean?
Try this: Set a timer for 5 minutes. Sit still. No phone. No distractions. Just listen to your body.
2. Give Yourself a Decision Deadline
Not every choice needs weeks of analysis. If it’s a yes, let it be a yes. If it’s a no, trust that. And if you’re in between, give yourself a clear boundary:
"I’ll decide by Friday."
"If I don’t have clarity by tomorrow, I’ll let it go for now."
Deadlines reduce emotional pressure and reclaim your mental space.
3. Choose Progress Over Perfection
Aligned doesn’t mean flawless. It means honest. Real. Resonant.
You’re allowed to choose without knowing how it’ll all unfold. You’re allowed to change your mind later. The more decisions you make from alignment, the more confident and grounded you’ll become.
Fun fact: No, I don’t own an LV bag anymore. I still think they’re pretty, but life in the sun and sand doesn’t exactly call for one.
But—when I sold it before moving overseas, it had gone up in value.
So in the end, it was a solid decision.
Overthinking is a habit. But so is self-trust.
If you’ve been stuck in analysis paralysis lately, maybe it’s time to come back to yourself. To tune out the noise and listen to what’s true for you.
Aligned decisions aren’t about control. They’re about clarity.
And sometimes, the clearest moment comes after a simple sip of water, a train ride, and finally saying, “Okay. Let’s do this.”
Need help getting clear on your next step? This is exactly the kind of work we do inside coaching. You can learn more here.
