There are no sure bets, nothing in life is guaranteed, and nobody knows what the future holds. At some point we have all been at the receiving end of these well intentioned, but startlingly, anxiety producing comments. With comments like these floating around, professing messages of uncertainly, it’s easy to see how making a life decision, of any magnitude, would be a daunting task.
Fortunately, most big decisions have to be made despite the uncertainty of the outcome, so there is rarely time to become frozen by the possibility of failure. People have simply learned how to estimate how to best handle a situation, calculate the risks, and go forward with the most promising option.
Usually, one of the things that weigh in heavily when people are trying to make an important decision is how they expect their decision to impact their happiness. Being happy is something that almost everybody finds worthy of taking on some pretty big odds for. Pleasure and satisfaction are also very motivating prizes that will tip the balance to the favor of a long shot.
For over half of all relationships, the odds are against them realizing the ultimate happy ending; the happily ever after part. What makes people put themselves so totally on the line for love is the chance that it could end up being, the one. The one big love; it’s the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. When two people are in love and can’t imagine being without each other, there is no risk too big to take, even when it involves their future.
As the future takes the form of a climatic wedding looming too close for comfort, all the other variables start to make a lot of sense, making one or both people start to have conflicting feelings about what they are doing. As the day draws nearer the doubting party consults the advice of the people closest to them. Unfortunately sometimes, the advice comes tarnished with that person’s investment in the ceremony going forward.
With emotions running high and so much at stake, it is very easy for a person’s instincts to get crossed, leaving them unsure and not knowing if they are having cold feet or a change of heart.
While this impossibly difficult dilemma may seem like an unfair and cruel joke of fate, it provides a good opportunity to take a good last look at what may be one of the biggest decisions of your life.
There are a couple of distinct yet subtle differences between being very nervous and instinctually knowing that you are making the wrong decision. This is especially true when it comes to being as sure as anyone possibly can be about getting married. If you see your past life flashing before your eyes, and are having visions of all the things that you’ll be turning your back on forever, but feel instantly more peaceful and calm when you switch your thoughts to a new life with your partner, you can be pretty sure you just have a case of cold feet. If it’s the other way around, and you feel a sense of anxiety and doubt every time you think about your partner, but find yourself feeling calmer when you imagine staying single, your heart is telling you something and it may be worth listening to.