We tend to give the big decisions all the credit, don’t we? The job change. The move. The relationship. The kids (or not). Those are the moments we label as life-changing decisions.
But most of the real change in my life has come from the small, almost invisible decisions I make each and every day. The kind you barely notice until one day, you look back and think, oh wow… that actually changed something. So let’s talk about the real life-changing decisions we’ve made.
The little things that turned out to be not-so-little
For me, it started with a bunch of tiny choices that didn’t seem like much at the time but rewired how I live.
Like…
Giving up alcohol
I wasn’t exactly downing bottles every night, but I realised I was drinking mostly to fit in. So I stopped. Three years later, my head’s clearer, my sleep’s better, and I don’t wake up feeling like I’ve been hit by a philosophical hangover.
Smiling at myself in the mirror when I wake up
Yes, it’s weird at first. But that grin tricks my brain into thinking: “Ooh, I feel quite good about today!” It’s such a simple thing and it really works.
Moving my body, on purpose
I spend a lot of time sitting: coaching, writing, Zooming. So I started doing little movements throughout the day. A body stretch here, a yoga warrior pose there. Nothing fancy, but it stops me from turning into a statue with good posture.
Reassessing friendships
I’ll be honest: this one stung a bit. Still stings, actually. I realised some old friendships had simply run their course. Letting them fade made me immensely sad, but it opened space for new people in my life. The people who make me laugh, challenge my thinking, and enjoy spending time with me (and vice versa). That experience has also been one of those life-changing decisions.
Greek yoghurt with fruit for breakfast
I still don’t understand how it took me two and a half decades to figure this one out. My mood is way steadier, because I have no carb crash at 10am from sugary cereal.
Saying no when my gut says no
Even if it disappoints someone. Actually: especially then. Every “no” keeps my energy where it belongs: on things that actually matter to me.
Unsubscribing
Newsletters, marketing emails, that one shop I bought a candle from in 2018. Gone. You don’t miss what you don’t see. Suddenly, there’s white space in my inbox and in my head.
Starting Midlife Crossroads Academy
All the way back then, MCA started as a list of midlife annoyances I couldn’t find answers for. Now it’s an entire business and I’ve built a coaching practice on top of it (midlifecoach.be). One little list turned into a complete career pivot. Wild, right? It was certainly life-changing for me!
Why the small stuff matters
I’m hoping you’ll understand from my examples that it’s the small things in life that teach you who you are. They build momentum and set the tone for what you tolerate or prioritise.
You don’t need a big reinvention. You don’t need to burn everything down and start over. You just need to start paying attention to the small, daily decisions you make. Because they’re the ones who tell you “this is who I want to be.”
What small decision could you make this week that could change your life?
It doesn’t have to be dramatic.
Saying no to a dinner you don’t actually want to go to? Taking 15 minutes for yourself in the morning? Or calling someone you haven’t spoken to in a long time?
The choice is yours. And each of these choices could lead to a completely different life.
