Can I explore selling even if I'm not sure I actually want to go through with it?

Yes — exploring a sale while genuinely undecided is not just permitted, it's how most sales actually start. There's no legal threshold you need to cross, and no point at which "exploring" turns into "deciding" unless you sign something that says otherwise. Talking to an accountant, a broker, or a business lawyer about what a sale might look like doesn't commit you to anything.

The nuance is making sure everyone you talk to understands you're exploring, not deciding, so their expectations match reality. A broker who thinks you've committed to selling may push the process faster than you're comfortable with; a prospective buyer who believes you're serious may be frustrated to learn later that you were only testing the idea. Being upfront about your actual state of mind, even if it feels indecisive, tends to protect the relationship better than letting someone assume more certainty than you actually have.

Before sharing real financial details with anyone outside your own advisors, it's worth having a confidentiality agreement in place regardless of how sure you are — that protects you whether you eventually sell or decide not to. A business lawyer can put that structure in place early, without pushing you toward a decision you haven't made.