No, that’s not a typo in today’s headline. I want to contrast decision-making with how we choose to live with our decisions.

If you’re over 50, you’ve likely faced many crossroads where big decisions required careful thought. Whether it’s choosing a new career, retiring in a new city, or downsizing your home, the act of making the decision often feels straightforward: weigh the pros and cons, align with your values, and choose the best course of action.

But then living with that decision—and finding happiness in it—can feel far more complicated, especially when you’ve had to pass on other options.

Yet, it is possible to be fully satisfied with your choices and not second-guess yourself. Here’s how.

Every major decision has a driving purpose behind it. For example, you may have retired early to spend more time with loved ones while your health and energy levels were still high, even though it meant letting go of a thriving career. Focusing on the “why” behind your decision, rather than ruminating on the “what-ifs,” can ground you and reaffirm your reasons for choosing this path.

When we make decisions, it’s easy to dwell on the opportunities we did not choose. Instead, try reframing your perspective. By saying yes to one choice, you also unlock new opportunities unique to your path. For instance, relocating to a smaller home might feel like saying goodbye to old memories, but it also offers a chance to create fresh experiences and simplify your life.

By the time you reach 50 or 60 years old and beyond, you’ve accumulated a lifetime of wisdom and self-awareness. You have a deep understanding of your values, needs, and priorities—whether you realize it or not. Trusting your ‘inner compass’ and that you’ve made the best decision with the knowledge available at the time can quiet doubts and boost your confidence.

One thing we should have learned in our decades of living is that a ‘perfect decision’ holds us to a fantasy standard. No decision is perfect, and that’s okay. It’s human nature to want all the outcomes tied neatly with a bow, but real life is wonderfully imperfect.

Sometimes, the hardest part of living with an imperfect decision is accepting that you can’t go back and try the other options. Learn to release the “what might have been” sentiment and embrace your (sometimes messy) real world.

Remember, at every stage of life, we make choices that shape who we are and how we live. What matters most is not which road you choose but how you embrace the one you’ve chosen and move forward with confidence.