Making Wise Decisions in a Collapsing World ,
The old maps are burning and the new have yet to emerge,
“This is a test with two options for the people in this country, resisting or acquiescing ; there is no third alternative, no sitting this out .
Rebecca Sonit
Dear Courageous ,
This is a conversation about enhancing your decision making capabilities . In the midst of chaos and uncertainty it is becoming clearer to me how important this is. That to animate the agency we have in any given situation is down to the quality of decisions we make.
I am covering :-
How to foster an empowering future on what you can control,
The neuro science that backs up why this is vital for survival,
Practical strategies that your Future Self will thank you for.
In a collapsing world decision making is a survival skill, that can be honed and strengthened. First by paying particular attention to the tensions between what your present self wants and your future self needs.
We are “not in Kansas anymore”. We are in unchartered territory, the old maps are burning and the new maps are still emerging. We are all making hard decisions and acting on them as we adapt to the new realities .
My thoughts on decision making have been cogitating since reading an excellent post by Sarah Wilson . She got me thinking about the challenges of making wise life decisions in a collapsing world. It is a massive topic and so relevant to everything we do individually and collectively in this pivotal time.
“ In a world in crisis there are too many variables to know there is one right answer”.
Sarah Wilson
Therefore you need strategies and most importantly mindsets to make whatever decisions you do make, right.
"the becoming and committing element of anything we do is going to be the crucial point " Sarah Wilson
Should you pack up your life and move to the countryside ?
I did this over 20 years ago because I thought collapse was imminent due to climate change. It was a hard choice with many consequences, especially for my relationships with my daughter and grandchildren.
My intention was to create a safe haven for them away from the city. My daughter thought I was a crazy ‘doomer’ and told me not to talk to my Grandchildren about my ideas. So decisions based around collapse awareness have costs as well as benefits.
We are facing the realities of our meta crisis , the rising Authoritarianism and techno fascism. Where important decisions even life or death ones will have to be made.
We are increasingly being defined by what we are saying NO to , so we have to find our YES’s . That takes work , insight and courage.
There is as Jamie Wheal shows on this diagram a tension between present you and future you that needs attention.
The Coming Alive arc- is timeless, optimistic and focused on maximising potential and choices-savouring the world.
The Staying Alive arc - is time bound, realistic/pessimistic focussing on dwindling choices and threats- saving the world.
In the staying alive arc Future you want’s safety and longer term benefits , but present you can tend towards over valuing short term benefits that give immediate rewards. Hence the laying on the couch instead of exercising, eating the chocolate now and dieting tomorrow, that we are all probably familiar with.
These struggles are not simply a matter of weak will power , lack of motivation or anxiety . They are a reflection of a deeper disconnect , a cognitive dissonance. One where our future self feels distant, abstract, unknown, even fearful. Unlike experiencing the present where the emotions and desires feel immediate , familiar and real.
Being Collapse aware puts you at the intersection of the arc’s or maybe beyond which makes it hard to plan, make decisions and act.
There could be a tendency to procrastinate , avoid, freeze, fear, over think or be anxious leading to indecision. Which in my experience is the most uncomfortable.
Sarah refers to her book "First We Make the Beast Beautiful". Where she writes about how anxiety is processed in the same part of the brain as decision making. Therefore if we are anxious or in an existential terror state- we struggle to make even the simplest decisions.
As you know decision making is context/situation and state dependent . The most famous example of this is Victor Frankel , who in the worse of contexts managed his inner state and found …
“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”
This is not just decision making , its Spiritual Aikido,
Despite our ingrained biases to the past and present , we can re wire and develop our relationships to the future. We can train our brains to create new neural pathways , giving us more choices in any situation. Building responsiveness instead of the reactivity that only deepens the hold of past patterns that no longer serve us.
Future Proofing
This is about the importance and benefits of developing a strong relationship and dialogue with your future self. Empowering you with core strengths so you know what to do and how to act, whatever the circumstances.
“Your Future self is the most important person in your life. Every decision you make today , is for your future self.” Benjamin Hardy.
This is how you create your future self,
“Studies have found that individuals who regularly engage with their future selves through mental stimulation, journalling and structured reflection, show greater activation in those brain regions , leading to stronger long-term decision making abilities.” Ann Smyth
How ?
Intention = getting clearer about the future self you desire,
Action = regularly take 5 mins to imagine your next evolution . How will you be moving through the world in a way that speaks to your power and presence ?
How will you be making decisions that uphold your values and the visions you have for yourself and our world ?
Outcome = You are building the relationship with your future self whilst creating them. A self that can thrive, find joy and purpose in uncertain and challenging times.
Here are are some of my future self thoughts and motivations…
The main reason, I move everyday either walking, swimming, yoga and HITT training is because my future self will be fit, healthy and able to move easily.
My future self know what values I will uphold, and which ones I would compromise, if necessary in challenging situations.
My future self lives lightly and gracefully and in an uncluttered home.
My future self has time to read and then distribute all the books I have accumulated.
My future self will thank me for the care I take over my food, daily reading/listening consumption and the company I keep.
My future self is well informed, so will know how to respond, be calm and grounded .
These are a sample of conversations I have with my future self about my next evolution. That I am designing in the full acceptance of uncertainty and potential ‘collapse’. All of the above are within my control , so are well formed and actionable outcomes.
Conclusion
We are an in an accelerating reality of known and unknowns, of anxiety making news and real threats. Getting stronger, clearer and having well formed outcomes is empowering. You will become familiar with what you can and can’t control as you call your future self in. Re training the plasticity of your brain will assist in the calming and care you give to your body and overall state. Making Future Proofing a valuable skill to enjoy and develop, that your future self will thank you for.
How will you start the conversation about with your future self ?
I have put another of mine in the comments to start this conversation off…..
References:-
Ann Smyth on the Neuro science behind decision making
An Excellent article on applying these Future Proofing principles to your Creative Self from Julia Skinner
As I am in the process of reducing my 'wardrobe " I am imagining what my future self will want to wear ....then I am letting go of what my past self wore.
Wow, this is a particularly thought provoking one!!