You decided to join a gym for a year. Before paying, you discover that it closes early on weekends, when you would have most time to use it. Your decision existed yesterday; today you are questioning it. You have not yet decided to abandon it.
Your friend needs to know which stage you have reached. Are you uncertain for the first time, reconsidering a choice, or announcing a new decision? These messages have different consequences for anyone making plans with you.
Use “have second thoughts” after an earlier choice
“I'm having second thoughts about joining that gym because of its weekend hours.”
Have second thoughts means begin to doubt or reconsider a decision, plan, or commitment you have already made. It can lead to a change of mind, but the phrase alone does not confirm the outcome.
You might eventually join the gym, choose another one, or remain undecided. Add that outcome when you know it. “I had second thoughts, but I joined anyway” is a coherent sentence: reconsideration does not force a reversal.
Use about before the choice: “second thoughts about the membership” or “second thoughts about joining.” Keep thoughts plural in this expression. “Without a second thought” is a different phrase, meaning without hesitation.
Distinguish reconsidering from “change my mind”
“I've changed my mind. I'm not joining that gym.”
Change your mind reports that your opinion, intention, or decision has changed. Here you are communicating a new decision, not merely doubts about the old one.
Compare the timing:
- “I haven't decided which gym to join.” No choice has been made.
- “I'm having second thoughts about the gym I chose.” An earlier choice is being reconsidered.
- “I've changed my mind; I'll choose a gym with longer weekend hours.” Your intention has changed.
You can use the phrases together when both stages happened: “I had second thoughts after seeing the opening hours, and eventually changed my mind.” The sequence makes the development clear.
Practice everyday English in context
Explore situations and examples in the General English hub.
Explore General English →Correct an earlier statement with “walk back”
Suppose you told your neighbors the community hall was free, then learned there was a booking fee.
“I need to walk back what I said about the hall being free. There is a booking fee.”
Walk back means withdraw or soften something previously said or committed to. It often appears in news and professional discussion, so a simpler “I need to correct what I said” may suit a casual message better.
Use it when the earlier statement is the point. Private doubts about joining a gym do not require a statement to be walked back. A correction can also happen without personal indecision: you now know the earlier price claim was wrong.
For pronouns, say walk it back, rather than “walk back it.” Learn more in Walk Back vs. Clarify vs. Deny.
Bad vs. better: avoid announcing an outcome too early
Bad for the facts: “I've decided not to join. I'm still deciding whether the hours would work.”
Better: “I'm having second thoughts about joining. I want to check another gym before deciding.”
The first version announces a settled rejection and then describes an open choice. The second identifies the doubt and the next step without pretending the outcome is known.
A short dialogue
Ravi: Have you paid for that gym membership?
You: Not yet. I'm having second thoughts about joining.
Ravi: I thought you had decided on it.
You: I had. But it closes at four on Sundays, which is when I'd usually go.
Ravi: So you're choosing somewhere else?
You: Maybe. I haven't changed my mind completely yet. I'll compare the weekend hours first.
The final reply answers the inference directly. Your friend now knows not to treat the doubts as a confirmed cancellation.
Check the distinction
Mina chose a painting course yesterday. Today she is reconsidering because travel will be expensive, but she has not decided whether to attend. Which interpretation fits “Mina is having second thoughts about the course”?
A. She is reconsidering an earlier choice; the outcome is still open.
B. She has definitely canceled and cannot attend.
Show the answer
A. Second thoughts describe reconsideration after a choice. They do not establish cancellation, and the scenario explicitly leaves attendance undecided.
Practice naming your decision stage
Write two sentences about an ordinary choice you reconsidered. State the earlier decision, then the new information and your current position. If the outcome is still open, make that clear.
Practice Changing Your Mind. For considering options before choosing, read Making Decisions Without Rushing. Browse the General English guides or General English hub.