The Power of Pausing Before Big Decisions | Life Coach Jilly
By Life Coach Jilly — Melbourne Life Coach
In Melbourne’s fast-paced, hyper-connected lifestyle, pausing is almost radical. We’re taught to keep going, keep trying, keep achieving — even when we’re exhausted or uncertain.
But here’s the truth:
Your clarity lives in the pause.
If you don’t stop, you can’t hear yourself.
Why Pausing Matters
When you’re overwhelmed, stressed, or emotionally overloaded, your brain goes into survival mode. Your decisions become reactive instead of aligned.
A pause creates space.
Space creates clarity.
Clarity leads to calm, confident action.
Signs You Need to Pause
You may need to stop and check in with yourself if:
you feel mentally cluttered
you’re torn between choices
everything feels urgent
you’re acting from fear instead of intuition
you keep pushing even though something feels “off”
Your body knows long before your mind catches up.
A 3-Step Self Check-In Process
1. Breathe + Reset
Put one hand on your heart, one on your belly.
Take three slow breaths.
This instantly brings your nervous system into safety mode.
2. Ask Three Key Questions
What am I honestly feeling right now?
What do I need?
What is my intuition quietly saying?
Don’t analyse — just listen.
3. Decide From Alignment, Not Panic
Never make a big decision from urgency, fear, or overwhelm.
Wait until your body feels softer and your mind feels clearer.
Creating a Pause Practice
Pausing is a muscle — the more you use it, the stronger it gets.
Try integrating mini-pauses throughout your day:
before replying
before committing
before cancelling
before saying yes
before making a big move
Pausing is not procrastination — it’s wisdom.
Final Thoughts
Checking in with yourself is the foundation of self-awareness and aligned decision-making. Your deepest answers are already within you — the pause simply helps you hear them.
