Girl, Make Up Your Mind: An Honest Encouragement for Overthinkers, Perfectionists & Self-Doubters

I rolled outta bed.

My hair was wild, tossed about my head—a parabolic picture of my defeat in the dark morning’s fight for sleep against my 6-month old who decided it was time for play instead of rest.

My throat was aching & scratchy. Had I managed to utter a word, I likely would’ve sounded like that frog-obsessed kid from “"The Little Rascals.”

I showered quickly, just in case Ms. Boss Baby decided to wake.

It’s been freezing lately, so I had no plans to leave the house. (And yes, temps treading in the 40s and 50s is freezing for this California girl.) I felt like breaking my typical stay-at-home mom ensemble of an old t-shirt and leggings to dress authentic to me, picking clothes with colors that made me feel pretty, cool and…myself.

I settled on a tie-dye rock band tee layered beneath a textured pleat top in a golden hue, and my favorite jeans.

Then I quickly threw some waves in my hair with my curling wand.

For some extra razzle dazzle, I felt like throwing on some fancy earrings because..why not?!

But as I wavered back + forth between whether to go with the tiered sequin ball earrings that reminded me of little disco balls, or another pair with dramatic tassels, I heard Holy Spirit whisper to my heart, “Commit.” I immediately knew this wasn’t just about the earrings, but about him continuing this conversation he + I have been having concerning his desire to break me free from the cycles of passivity and indecision I’ve kept myself in.

I looked in the mirror. It dawned on me that it’s been a while since I’ve slowed down long enough to look myself in the eyes.

“Preach to yourself,” Jesus said. “Talk to yourself how the you who’s seated right here with me (in the heavens) would speak. What would she say to you?”

The same deliberate intentionality I had in showering…
The same uncomplicated simplicity I carried in choosing the shirt, jeans + earrings I wanted to wear for the day…
was the same decisiveness I have to carry every single day of my life.

Decide.

I had to decide.

I had to make a choice.

Rather than waver back + forth between this or that, I had to make a decision + then commit to it with action.

Then I felt an internal nudge to press record.

So I propped up my phone, looked myself in the eye, and preached to my timid heart what I believed the heavenly me would say to the earthly me.

Just as much as me speaking the truth in love to myself freed (+ is still freeing) me, I pray these words liberate you from every shackle and cycle of overthinking, perfectionism and self-doubt.

Dig Deeper

Discover the power of reflection + prayer as you use these heartfelt journaling prompts to process with God and connect with your innermost self.

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If you’ve long-wrestled with overthinking, perfectionism or self-doubt and this resonated with you, I’d love to pray for you! Let me know in the comments below.