Indecisive people have trouble making decisions. Duh. I don’t think it's necessarily because we don’t know our own minds, but rather our minds aren’t wired to make decisions. To make it clear what I’m talking about, let me introduce you to two different types of thinking:

1. Convergent (black & white thinking)

2. Divergent (grey- anything is possible thinking).

Believe it or not, the lady that created the Divergent books did not create this as well. However the Divergent series gives a great example of a society that is scared of others who can create more than one way to solve issues.

Cognitive and divergent thinking are psychological terms created by J.P. Guilford in 1956, to help people understand how they think. If you’re a divergent thinker, like yours truly, you are great at finding or creating the choices- it’s the choosing that makes you hyperventilate.

Now that we established the possible root of indecisive thinking, here are five situations that I definitely find myself in as a divergent thinker- and maybe you do as well!

1. When I sit and stare at the menu, the future happiness of my life suddenly becomes dependent on whether or not I make the right choice.

But seriously! I am the waiter’s worst nightmare. I am the person that looks, then asks, then looks, then rubs the forehead, and then finally pick the one thing the waiter didn’t spend fifteen minutes explaining to me. I love sharing! I love it when I go eat with someone and let them pick what they want from the menu and share. It doesn’t mean I don’t have a mind of my own. It only means my mind has decided on its own that it would rather not go through this much stress at a place that serves food.

2. When I spend an hour longer on a test than any of my other classmates.

Multiple choice, how about multiple answers?? I have this annoying habit of looking at each possible choice and creating a reason why it could be right. I'm not just taking a test, I'm waging a war against my mind. Put true and false in front of me and I'm done. I might as well close my eyes and randomly select either one.

3. When my family doesn’t allow me to go shopping because I spend too much time…and money.

Do I get the red one or the green? Oh, I'll get them both. Is 10 cents less really worth it? Will I eat that in five days? These are pretty normal questions I suppose, but the stress I feel with each one is enough to give me an ulcer. Bargains are my best friend for sure! The price is the only one that can really make up my mind.

4. When I resort to odd superstitions to make my mind up for me.

I don't do it as crazy anymore, but when I was younger I remember throwing a rock, and depending on whichever way it landed, it would determine what I would do. I know, crazy, don't judge! Now I just catch-the-tiger-by-the-toe and try to remind myself that picking the wrong flavor of ice cream won't end my life.

5. When I give everyone in my car whiplash (including myself) because I couldn’t decide in time if I should stop or go at a yellow light.

I'm not a bad driver!! I'm just a little indecisive at times when it comes to stoplights. But really, who doesn't hate yellow lights? All they do is make your heart race and your break foot twitchy.

So…indecisive?

Yes.

Self-ignorant?

Definitely not! Especially not after you have read my article. *Wink wink*.

You have obstacles! But that doesn’t mean cognitive thinkers don’t as well! Divergent thinkers create choices and convergent thinkers choose them. We all need each other. Oh great, there goes my mind to Bill Withers…

And also, the great thing about minds is, they all are different! Don’t strictly base your thinking off of divergent and convergent. These aren’t rules of how to think, but rather ideas that try to help you understand that while your mind is unique, it isn’t abnormal.