October 29, 2021- One of my main goals of combining law and wellness is to help people use wellness to make calm and measured decisions with respect to legal matters so that they are not reacting to possibly unpleasant circumstances, but instead proactively improving the quality of their life based on their own choices. When we’re unable to be calm or just slow down mentally and emotionally, sometimes it can be difficult to make a decision, and that indecision can lead to procrastination, and that procrastination can lead to loss of choices and increased costs.
Below is an example of the effect of not taking action.
A man wants a power of attorney and other legal documents to help his sister; however, his sister is in a coma. The sister, a single woman, delayed planning because she found the process to be overwhelming. She is clearly unable to sign anything and she cannot even speak for herself regarding her wishes. The man now has to rely on a court procedure in order to help his sister.
What are the effects?
Loss of Choice– The sister is not choosing who she would like to act on her behalf, but is relying on her brother, who may be perfectly capable, but he may not necessarily be the person who she would want to act on her behalf.
Increased costs– Planning ahead of time and having certain documents in place would in all likelihood be less expensive than a court procedure. Most people would prefer to save money rather than use funds for court expenses.
Planning does not have to be overwhelming or complicated, but people sometimes create an image in their minds that it is. The irony is that procrastination may unintentionally create a complicated situation due to loss of choices and increased costs.
If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, with respect to these matters, or any other matters, allow yourself a few moments to unwind. Go out in nature and take a few deep breaths. If you can’t go out in nature, click here for a nature based relaxation moment, that’s less than two minutes.
The bottom line is that more proaction and less reaction will allow for greater opportunities for more choices, decreased costs, and a better quality of the life of your choosing.