The Casualties of Impulsiveness

I hate impulsiveness. It’s annoying, irresponsible, and causes problems that would’ve otherwise been avoided if sound decisions were made. Sadly, I’ve seen far too many casualties of it. Overspending. Casual hook ups. Diving into serious commitments or purchases without doing necessary research. And neglecting to obtain as much information as possible before making decisions -- just handfuls of examples of reckless and impulsive moves. Know what those kind of decisions lead to? Eviction notices. Foreclosures. Repossessions. Bankruptcy. Bad credit. Debt – financially and emotionally. Job loss. Heartache. Unplanned pregnancies. Unwanted children. Disease. Break ups. Divorce. Dysfunction. Frustration. Pain. Regret. Stress. And early graves. Not only have I witnessed the pitfalls of impulsiveness, but experiencing it in my own life has been a learning curve of what to do and what not to do as an adult. When I was a kid, I saw different adults impulsively mishandle money and how that poor decision affected everything. Overspending or charging things on credit in areas that may not have been a priority, would mean lack in another, ultimately leading to financial struggles that could've been avoided if a budget was in place. I learned the difference between wants, needs, and the benefits of delayed gratification. If you want something there needs to be a strategy to save for it, while your needs are taken care of first. Waiting and having patience for other certain desires yields better rewards, and tends to give you more value and appreciation for what you’ve waited for. Obtaining something too soon or before you're ready for it can complicate your life. Seeing impulsive spending as a child prompted me to be more of a saver vs. a spender as an adult. So, while I’m often ridiculed for being “stingy” my drive has always been to be in a position of financial independence and fiscally responsible, so that I’ll never have to struggle financially. I’ve also seen how impulsiveness has impacted the kind of men different family members and friends have chosen to date, marry, or have kids with. I’m not a big dater. I’m selective, because I’ve witnessed the consequences of impulsively accepting dates and marriage proposals from men who ultimately turned out to be disappointing suitors. I’ve seen too many women in my own family and circles of friends, who’d rather have any guy in the picture than to hold out for better. The impulsiveness of settling has prompted me to make careful and informed decisions about the kinds of guys I date and exactly who to stay as far away as possible from. There are causalities that come with impulsiveness and all those impacted by it likely feel its blows. No matter how big or small a decision is, I believe in carefully and strategically thinking about how different decisions made, can and will impact your life and your future. Think before making decisions. You can’t afford not to.