If You’re Going to Make Bad Decisions, Make Them Wisely
Let’s get one thing straight: we all make “bad” decisions.
Texting your ex. Skipping therapy. Taking on one more project even though you're already booked, busy, and stress-sobbing into your lunch.
Bad decisions are part of being human. They’re not proof that you’re broken, reckless, or doomed — they’re usually just signs that some part of you is trying to get a need met in the best way it knows how… even if it’s a little chaotic in execution.
But if you’re gonna make bad decisions…and let’s be honest, you are…you might as well make them wisely.
Here’s what that actually means.
1. Know why you’re doing it
Impulse is one thing. Intentional self-sabotage disguised as spontaneity is another.
Before you go full send on that 1am doom-scroll, the emotionally unavailable situationship, or the decision to burn your life down on a Wednesday…pause.
Ask:
What am I actually needing right now?
What’s this choice trying to fix, fill, or distract me from?
You don’t have to change your mind.
But bringing awareness to your “bad” decisions makes them a hell of a lot more conscious, aaand way less shame-inducing later.
2. Choose your chaos
Sometimes you need to blow off steam. You need the night out, the risky text, the big purchase, the slightly unhinged vent sesh in your Notes app.
Cool. But do it with eyes open.
Make the choice that costs less long-term damage.
Pick the version that doesn’t betray your values.
Choose the chaos that’s fun, not the kind that turns your stomach at 3am.
There’s a difference between breaking a rule and breaking yourself.
3. Listen to your inner “gremlin” AND your wiser self
Your inner gremlin (you know, the one yelling “YOLO” while lighting emotional fires) probably has a point.
It’s trying to protect you from pain, boredom, vulnerability, or discomfort.
But you’ve also got an inner wise self—the part of you that’s grounded, clear, and tired of cleaning up messes.
Both parts deserve a seat at the table.
Making “bad” decisions wisely means letting both voices speak and choosing from a place of balance, not reactivity.
4. Give yourself permission AND boundaries
Not every decision needs to be optimized, justified, or made with your therapist’s blessing.
You’re allowed to be messy. You’re allowed to not choose the most healing path every time.
But when you give yourself permission, pair it with compassion and boundaries:
"I’m going to binge this show all weekend, aaand I’ll check in on Sunday about how I’m actually feeling."
"I’m going to text them back, buuut I won’t spiral if it doesn’t go how I want."
You’re still the one in charge. Even if the gremlin’s driving, you're the one who gave it the keys.
5. Reflect without shame
The best way to make wiser bad decisions in the future?
Learn from the last round. Not with self-punishment or overanalysis, but with curiosity.
Ask:
Did this give me what I was hoping for?
Would I do it again?
Is there another way I could meet this same need next time with less fallout?
That’s not weakness. That’s growth. That’s you turning your emotional dumpster fires into data.
TL;DR: You’re still human. Be a smart mess.
Perfection isn’t the goal. Alignment is.
And sometimes, alignment includes choosing the thing that’s a little irrational, a little wild, and a little extra…as long as you’re choosing it on purpose.
So go ahead. Make the “bad” decision.
But make it wisely. Make it with self-awareness. Make it with love for the version of you that’s just trying to get through the day.
And if you’re tired of spiraling alone or cleaning up chaos without support, therapy can help.
Not to stop you from ever making a bad decision again, but to help you understand why, and choose better next time (when you're ready).
✨ Let’s talk about what that could look like, schedule a consult with me here.
