The Tug-of-War in My Mind: Decision-Making, Manifestation, and a Bluetooth Speaker I Almost Bought
Learn how a simple speaker turned into a 45-minute debate—and what it taught me about self-trust, willpower, and manifestation.
When a Tiny Choice Feels Monumental
Have you ever looked at something in your online cart—a gadget so small you could buy it without blinking—and felt like you were standing at the edge of a cliff?
That was me last week.
I’d been eyeing a small portable Bluetooth speaker for weeks. All I wanted was something simple to keep near my second computer, so I wouldn’t have to keep disconnecting the one I already owned. Nothing extravagant. Just practical.
The First Temptation
When I first found the little Soundcore Mini, it wasn’t on sale. Just a regular price—around thirty-five dollars. I wasn’t in a hurry, so I did what I often do when I’m unsure whether I really need something: I left it sitting in my cart for a few days.
This is one of the small disciplines I practice. If I can do without it, I wait. Usually, when I come back later, I either feel clear or I lose interest completely.
But life doesn’t always let you stay in your tidy little plan.
When Logic Meets Longing
A few days later, I got a notification from Amazon: “Your saved item is on sale for Prime Day.” I wasn’t scrolling aimlessly. I was just clicking the alert. But that’s when the whole story started.
I saw the price had dropped from about thirty-five dollars to twenty-six. It felt like the universe giving me a little nod. You’ve been patient. You’ve thought this through. Now is your moment.
I hovered over the Buy Now button, feeling a sense of quiet satisfaction.
And then—because the world we live in never stops testing your self-control—I glanced at the sidebar.
There it was. A Bose speaker I’d admired for years. The original price was close to $190, now marked down to $129.
Suddenly, I was no longer deciding whether I should buy a speaker. I was deciding whether I deserved the better speaker.
The Game of Numbers and Desires
My brain kicked into overdrive. The Bose was about six times more expensive than the Soundcore Mini at full price. Even on sale, it was still five times the cost. But I noticed I was getting 32% off the Bose, while only 26% off the Soundcore.
Isn’t that strange? The percentage discount became a justification. My logic whispered, Look, you’re saving more money with Bose. This is a smart decision.
At the same time, I thought, If you can buy the cheap one, why not stretch a little further? Isn’t this what abundance is about—choosing quality without guilt?
Then the next moment, another voice said, You don’t need any new speaker at all. You already have one. Maybe this is just an excuse to shop.
Two minutes later, I felt that I should absolutely pamper myself, as I work hard and rarely indulge. A minute after that, I imagined future regret, picturing that smug feeling of wasting money on something I didn’t need.
Forty-Five Minutes of Mental Chess
I scrolled through dozens of reviews, comparing stars and watching videos of people unboxing both speakers. They both had ratings over 4.6 out of 5.
One moment, I was convinced I’d buy the Bose. The next, I wanted to abandon the whole idea.
At one point, I even thought, maybe I should buy both. Then immediately felt ridiculous.
The biggest loss wasn’t money—it was time. When I looked at my watch, nearly forty-five minutes had evaporated into this micro-drama.
That’s when something clicked. I told myself: Enough. You are not going to keep circling this. You have ten seconds to decide. If you don’t make a choice in the next ten seconds, you are not buying anything at all.
It wasn’t an impulsive move—it was a boundary. A clear, final line in the sand.
And in that tiny countdown, the truth surfaced: I didn’t need the Bose to feel worthy. I just needed to trust my own clarity.
The Moment of Clarity
I took a breath. I looked at the clock. I asked myself, Who is making this decision—the grounded, clear part of me, or the restless part craving a dopamine hit?
And that’s when I realized this wasn’t about a speaker. It was about how I relate to desire itself.
The Choice I Made
In the end, I clicked purchase on the modest Soundcore Mini. Not because I was denying myself, but because I wanted to feel the quiet satisfaction of choosing with intention, not compulsion.
And I’m proud of that.
Why This Tiny Story Matters
I’ve often been asked, 'Why do I talk about decision-making and manifestation in the same breath?' To me, they are so intertwined that you can’t separate them.
We spend inordinate amounts of time agonizing over small purchases that cost $100 or $200. Yet we often make life-altering decisions—such as which career to pursue, which city to move to, or which relationship to stay in—on impulse or a fleeting emotion.
It’s ironic, isn’t it? The little choices feel safe to overthink. The big ones slide past without scrutiny.
Two Small Experiments in Self-Control
- Wait Twenty-Four Hours
If you feel the pull to buy something—even something small—pause. Watch what happens when you give it a day. Often, the urgency softens, and you’ll know if it’s truly meant for you. - Choose Not to Buy (Even If You Can Afford It)
If you can easily afford something and still decide not to buy—not out of fear or scarcity but out of clear self-command—notice what it does to your energy. That’s real power. Not needing to say yes to every desire just because you can.
A Final Reflection
When you start paying attention to these moments, you’ll discover that the space between wanting and having is where self-trust grows.
And here’s something to reflect on today:
What’s one small decision you’ve been circling for days? What would it feel like to wait—or to walk away—and see how much power you still have?
If this resonated, I invite you to explore my advanced manifestation course. It’s where we practice the art of choosing with clarity, integrity, and intention. Because sometimes the smallest choices shape the biggest transformations.
Let’s create a Heroic Lifestyle,
Sarit Tagore
Creator of Heroic Manifestation™
Connect with me: Website | YouTube | LinkedIn
P.S. If this landed, share it with someone who might need it today. One minute of clarity can shift an entire day.
