The coexistence of both positive and negative feelings you have toward a person pulls you in - and then pushes you away. "I really like her, but she's too old for me." Ambivalence keeps you from finding out if this relationship could be meaningful, so you don't ask her out.
When you have two opposing feelings about a person, situation or decision, this rigid cycling pattern never moves you forward. You're constantly moving from one side of the fence to the other. Or you park yourself entirely on the fence. Stuck.
Ambivalent thinking has been linked to obsessive compulsive tendencies, to defensive styles like "splitting" (seeing things in an all or nothing way) or can be a result of underdeveloped styles of problem solving.
If you're ambivalent, there are things you can do to break the holding pattern.
1. Acknowledge that your ambivalence may be a way to protect yourself from having a negative experience.
2. Remind yourself that nothing is perfect, and that uncertainty and doubt are givens in life. By doing this, you give yourself permission not to make a "perfect" decision.
3. Encourage yourself to live in the present. By doing so, a decision you make can be based on this moment in time. Right here, right now. This can loosen the rigid hold ambivalence can create.
4. Reframe negative thinking to more positive statements. Remember the examples above? Here's how they can crush ambivalence reframed with positivity. "How will I know if she's too old for me if I don't go out on a date?" "Yes, the commute will be more time, but the job will be more meaningful to me, so it'll be worth it." "I'm choosing Mexican tonight, and Greek will happen for another meal next time."
5. Understand that ambivalence is a normal experience. Especially for children and teens, and adults who are faced with difficult decisions. But if you find yourself overwhelmed with daily decision making, or bewildered by taking care of your needs, a mental health professional can help you find your way. Sometimes depression, anxiety and trauma can cloud your ability to freely make decisions - and amplify ambivalence.
Source material from Dr. Deb