When Too Many Options Keep You Stuck: How to Find Clarity Without Throwing It All Away
Have you ever felt completely overwhelmed by choice? Not because you don’t know what you want, but because you want too many things at once?
For a long time, that was me. I had no shortage of ideas for what I wanted my life to look like. The problem was, I couldn’t separate them, let alone choose.
And instead of moving forward, I stayed stuck.
My Crossroads: So Many Dreams, Zero Clarity
Here’s what was happening in my head:
Part of me desperately wanted to live abroad and travel again.
Another part longed to live by the sea.
I thought about becoming a personal trainer—even though I wasn’t really a gym bunny.
I still wanted to do social impact work, but definitely not in the same draining way I had before.
Each idea had its appeal, but they all swirled together into one big cloud of confusion.
I had no solid experience of any of them – just my dreams of each of them. I didn’t even know if I’d actually like living abroad, training clients, or moving to the coast. But in my mind, it felt like I had to pick the “right” path and commit fully.
No wonder I felt paralysed.
The All-or-Nothing Trap
One of the biggest things that kept me stuck was this belief:
“If I’m going to try something new, I have to throw everything away and start over.”
So instead of experimenting, I held on tightly to what I knew, keeping myself busy, even though it wasn’t working for me. The fear of making the wrong choice meant I didn’t make any choice.
And that’s the catch: having too many options isn’t really the problem. It’s thinking you have to get it perfect the first time that keeps you stuck.
Test Your Ideas Before You Commit
What finally helped me shift was an opportunity in Sri Lanka – it gave me the opportunity to live abroad, be involved in social impact work and time to travel and it was only for 3 months. This was the perfect opportunity to test run several of my dreams and took away the need to make huge life decisions, which I had clearly been struggling with.
This opportunity taught me that I didn’t need to figure it all out in my head. I needed to test things in real life.
So if you, like me, have lots of ideas, start by live testing them.
Curious about living abroad? Try a month-long stay somewhere new instead of uprooting your life immediately.
Drawn to personal training? Volunteer, shadow someone in the industry, or take one client on the side.
Love the idea of living by the sea? Rent a place short-term before selling up and moving.
Want to stay connected to meaningful work? Explore part-time projects or freelance opportunities that align with your values.
Testing an idea lets you see what you actually enjoy, without the pressure of an all-or-nothing leap.
Volunteering in Sri Lanka gave me the opportunity to travel
Why Testing Beats Overthinking
Here’s the truth: you can’t think your way into clarity. No amount of pros-and-cons lists or daydreaming will tell you if something is right for you.
You only find out by doing.
Testing ideas gives you:
Feedback – real-world experience instead of just imagination.
Confidence – you learn what feels good (and what doesn’t).
Options – you can pivot without feeling like you’ve wasted time.
And perhaps most importantly, it breaks the cycle of being stuck.
Moving Forward When You’re at a Crossroad
If you’re standing at a crossroad, pulled in multiple directions, here’s my advice:
Choose one small experiment. Don’t try to test everything at once—pick the idea that excites you most right now.
Set clear boundaries. Make it a project, not a permanent move.
Notice how it feels. Pay attention to your energy, your excitement, and your resistance.
Adjust. If it doesn’t feel right, that’s not failure – it’s feedback.
You don’t have to throw away your current life to try something new. You don’t need to commit to forever. You just need to give yourself permission to explore.
Don’t Stay Stuck In Indecision
Having lots of ideas is a gift—it means you’re curious, open, and ready for something new. But when you treat every idea like a life sentence, you’ll stay stuck in indecision.
The way forward isn’t about choosing the perfect path right now. It’s about testing your options, collecting real-world feedback, and building clarity step by step.
Because the truth is, you don’t need to figure out your “forever” today. You just need to take the next small step.
About Sabrina
Sabrina helps women at life’s crossroads who feel stuck and hesitant but eager for more. She helps them cut through the noise, untangle the overwhelm, and build the clarity and confidence to move forward with purpose.
Whether you’re unclear on what’s next or blocked from going after it, she blends deep mindset work with practical systems and structure to help her clients untangle what’s keeping them stuck so they can build momentum and bring their ideas to life.
A former charity professional turned movement and wellness entrepreneur, Sabrina draws on her background in fitness and physical therapy to bring a grounded, whole-person approach to transformation. She’s passionate about helping women stop overthinking, trust themselves, and take bold steps toward something that truly matters.
When she’s not coaching, she’s usually in the garden, hunting down great street food, or planning her next adventure.
Often the first step isn’t taking action - it’s allowing yourself to want more. Ready to give yourself permission? Grab your Permission Slip.