We often hear it said: “Every choice involves a loss.”
Though it may sound like a cliché, this simple truth carries a deep psychological weight.
Making a decision doesn’t just mean choosing a direction — it also means leaving others behind. And for many, that’s where the difficulty begins.
From an existential perspective on decision-making, human beings are defined not by what they are given, but by the choices they make. Jean-Paul Sartre famously wrote: “Man is condemned to be free.”
This freedom of choice may sound empowering, but in practice, it comes with responsibility — and often, anxiety about decision-making.
Each time we choose, we not only shape our future, but we also become accountable for the paths not taken. And because we can never fully know what those paths might have offered, the fear of missing out (FOMO) — or of making the “wrong” decision — becomes paralyzing.
So, we hesitate:
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What if this isn’t the right move?
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What if I regret it?
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What if the other option would have been better?
These questions don’t just reflect indecisiveness — they reflect our deep desire to avoid regret.
In many cases, the problem is not a lack of clarity about what we want, but a fear of owning the consequences of our own freedom.
What complicates this further is the tension between internal values and external expectations. The world around us often has a lot to say — about success, stability, approval, and what’s considered “reasonable.”
In such a noisy environment, it can become difficult to hear your inner voice.
And yet, existential psychology reminds us of a crucial truth:
Not choosing is also a choice.
Avoiding a decision doesn’t spare us from responsibility — it just keeps us in limbo.
Time keeps moving forward, and unmade decisions still shape our lives — quietly and often unconsciously.
How to Make Conscious Decisions in an Existential Framework
So, how do we move forward?
The existential stance on personal growth is not to eliminate doubt — but to act despite it. It asks us to:
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Choose with awareness
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Take ownership of your path
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Accept that freedom always comes with risk
You may choose and still feel uncertain.
You may commit and still wonder.
But to live authentically is to participate in your life — not to watch it from the sidelines.
In the end, it’s not about making the perfect decision.
It’s about making a conscious decision — and allowing yourself to grow through it.
Final Thought: Freedom, Discomfort, and Growth
Real freedom begins when we accept that discomfort is not a sign of failure, but a natural part of becoming.
Choosing your life — even when it’s hard — is the only way to truly live it.