The No-Bullsh*t Method to Making Better Decisions
Your Life Is a Series. Make Choices Your Future Self Would Binge-Watch!
Ever found yourself stuck on the decision-making struggle bus, rerunning “what ifs” like it's a Netflix loop you can’t pause? Yeah, same. We've all sat there, overthinking every fork in the road, trying to figure out how to make the "right" choice—the one we won't regret. The truth is: regret-proof decisions aren’t mythical. But they do require a mindset shift.
Today I’m sharing a no-fluff, no-overthinking method that has worked for me like 90% of the time (the remaining 10%? character development arc, babe). It’s a two-step mindset switch, backed by real psych research—not just late-night journaling and vibes. Let’s get into it.
Step 1: Cope First, Judge Later
Let’s be real. You’re not gonna know if a decision is “right” the moment you make it. And honestly, that’s okay.
We’ve been taught to avoid regret like the plague. But what if we reframed that? What if, instead of spiraling over a decision that didn’t pan out, you respected the version of yourself that made it?
Let’s say you made a big decision at 15—maybe about school, friends, your goals—and by 16 you’re like “WTF was I thinking?” Before you roast your past self, pause. That 15-year-old had reasons, fears, dreams. Maybe they didn’t know better. But they did their best with what they knew.
Coping first means giving that past version of you some grace. It’s a mindset shift from “I messed up” to “I did what I thought was right.” That kind of self-respect builds resilience. It creates a cycle where even “bad” decisions become a stepping stone, not a self-blame trap.
And look—if the consequences of that decision sucked? Cool. You felt the impact, you learned. But blaming? That’s energy you could spend fixing, healing, or evolving.
If you can make amends, do it. If not? Cope. Adapt. But don’t spiral in guilt. That’s not growth, that’s just emotional quicksand.
Step 2: Switch the Camera Angle
Okay, now let’s talk about that “thinking twice” part. The pre-decision prep.
Here's the real trick: View your life like a series, and you’re the main character. Sounds corny, but stick with me. This is where sh*t gets powerful.
When you’re in the middle of chaos, your emotions are loud, your judgment’s fuzzy, and it’s hard to see the bigger picture. That’s why we ask friends, mentors, strangers on Reddit or X—we want an outside perspective. A second opinion. A lens that isn’t clouded by panic. A 2nd and 3rd person point of view!
But what if you could become that lens?
Not someone else's advice, not borrowed perspectives. Yours. From a third-person POV.
It’s not about escaping your feelings. It’s about shifting the camera angle. You’re still you—but zoomed out.
Ask yourself:
If this were an episode in my life, what choice would I be proud of?
What would future-me clap for?
What would I yell at the screen about if I saw someone else making this choice?
It’s a weirdly effective mind trick. Because when we watch shows, we judge, we root for people, we get mad at them for being dumb—and all of that is based on our values. Our sense of right/wrong. Our internal compass.
So when you turn that lens back on yourself, you tap into your subconscious in a way that’s clearer and more honest than overthinking ever could be.
TL;DR: Become your own audience. Watch yourself like a character. Make the move that would make you proud.
Backed by Psychology (Not Just Vibes)
This isn’t just some romanticized Gen Z manifestation tactic. It’s rooted in cognitive psychology. There’s a concept called “self-distancing” used in therapy and decision science—it literally helps people make better calls under pressure.
When you shift from “I” to “he/she/they” while journaling or reflecting, you’re more likely to respond with clarity, maturity, and compassion. Why? Because your brain stops reacting from fear and starts reasoning from wisdom. That’s why they sayy JOURNAL, that’s why we were taught the Dear Diary stuff in grade 6 for diary entriess. But you’re more of an overthinker, think in this direction!
The third-person POV isn’t just cooler—it’s scientifically smarter. Every situation you face is a script you get to rewrite in real-time. And this method? It's your director’s chair.
Wish to continue reading??? For part-2 checkout:
TL;DR? You’re the Main Character. Act Like It.
Look. Life’s not about avoiding regret. It’s about making choices that align with who you are becoming. You won’t always get it right. That’s human. But if you:
Respect the old you for trying,
Trust the current you to adapt,
And consult the zoomed-out version of you before leaping…
…you’ll walk through your life with way less regret and way more main character energy.
Wanna dive deeper into this? Here’s my suggested read that explains the concept of self-distancing: Link
You’ve got better instincts than you think. So next time you’re at a crossroads, don’t just think harder — switch the camera angle. Write a storyline worth watching.
And hey — let me know if this method hits. I’m all ears (and lowkey bingeing your life arc from here on). Do share your opinions and perspectives!!