"If so, this points to the troubling possibility that your primary motivation in taking the decision wasn’t any rational consideration of its rightness for you"

"Consider any significant decision you’ve ever taken that you subsequently came to regret: a relationship you entered despite being dimly aware that it wasn’t for you, or a job you accepted even though, looking back, it’s clear that it was mismatched to your interests or abilities. If it felt like a difficult decision at the time, then it’s likely that, prior to taking it, you felt the gut-knotting ache of uncertainty; afterwards, having made a decision, did those feelings subside? If so, this points to the troubling possibility that your primary motivation in taking the decision wasn’t any rational consideration of its rightness for you, but simply the urgent need to get rid of your feelings of uncertainty."

Article from Brainpickings, about the book by Oliver Burkeman, The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can’t Stand Positive Thinking (public library).