Why We Don’t Choose—and What to Do About It

We live in a world where it’s widely believed that our lives are the result of the choices we make. It sounds so obvious that no one even questions it. Of course! Where we go, what we eat, who we date, where we work—it’s all our choice, right?

We live in a world where it’s widely believed that our lives are the result of the choices we make. It sounds so obvious that no one even questions it. Of course! Where we go, what we eat, who we date, where we work—it’s all our choice, right?

Wrong.

In reality, 99% of the time, we don’t actually make a choice. Why? Because we are afraid and uncertain. This leads us to another, more dangerous myth: avoiding decisions we don’t like will somehow protect us from risks and unpleasant outcomes.

But life doesn’t work that way. It’s like trying to stop a river—it keeps flowing. When we refuse to make decisions, we’re really just handing over control of our lives to external circumstances. We’re essentially saying, "I don’t want to consciously steer my life. Let random events decide for me. I’ll just drift like a boat without oars or sails in a stormy sea."

Here’s what happens.
Instead of being the author of our story, we become someone who simply reacts to everything. Swatting flies instead of charting a course. We don’t build a life; we just respond to whatever lands in our lap.

And then, of course, the inevitable question arises: "Why didn’t my life work out?" It’s the circumstances! Everything around us is so unfair, difficult, and hostile!

But here’s the truth: circumstances are never bad.
They’re neutral. Gloriously indifferent. A falling brick doesn’t hate you. It just falls. Its apathy is comparable only to the serene detachment of Gautama Buddha.

And then, in the final moments, as our consciousness fades, we hear a quiet voice from somewhere far away. It speaks with a hint of irony:
"Well, this time, almost 2%..."

And just before it all goes dark, one last thought pierces through:
"It was all true."

But regret no longer catches up to us.

What to Do?

Stop living on autopilot. Every day presents choices, even if they scare you. Ask yourself: "If not now, when?"

Remember: not making a choice is still a choice. But it won’t be yours—it will belong to the circumstances.

Be the author of your destiny.