Okay, so, decision fatigue. It’s a real thing, right? I used to think it was just something trendy people on the internet talked about. I mean, making choices is part of life. But then… then I hit a wall. A big, ugly, “I can’t decide what to have for dinner, let alone make a serious life choice” kind of wall. And honestly, it was exhausting.
What Even IS Decision Fatigue, Anyway?
Basically, it’s that feeling of being completely mentally drained from making too many decisions. Small ones, big ones, it doesn’t really matter. Every choice you make depletes your mental resources, and eventually, you’re running on empty. You start making bad decisions, or you just avoid making decisions altogether, which, surprise, usually leads to even worse outcomes. It’s kind of like trying to drive a car with a near-empty gas tank. You might make it a few miles, but eventually, you’re gonna be stranded.
I think the thing that really surprised me was how many decisions I was making *without even realizing it*. What to wear, what to eat, which route to take to work, which email to answer first… it just goes on and on. It’s constant. And all those little choices add up. No wonder I felt like my brain was constantly buzzing, and not in a good way. Was I the only one feeling this? I doubt it.
My Personal Breaking Point (and a Messy Closet)
I distinctly remember the day I realized I had a serious problem. I was trying to get ready for a friend’s birthday party. Should be fun, right? Wrong. I stood in front of my closet, which, let’s be honest, was a disaster zone, and just… froze. I had way too many clothes, most of which I didn’t even like or wear anymore. But the thought of sorting through it all, of deciding what to keep and what to donate, was completely overwhelming.
Ugh, what a mess!
I ended up being late to the party because I wasted so much time staring blankly at my wardrobe. And you know what I wore? The same black dress I always wear when I’m feeling uninspired. It was a safe choice, but it wasn’t *me*. That’s when I knew something had to change. I couldn’t keep letting decision fatigue control my life.
Simplifying My Life: The First Steps
So, I decided to tackle the problem head-on. My initial strategy was a bit all over the place. I jumped into decluttering with Marie Kondo’s “Does it spark joy?” method. Honestly, it was overwhelming at first. Holding every single sock and asking it about my feelings? Kind of ridiculous. But after a while, I got into a rhythm. It actually became therapeutic, weirdly enough.
I started small, with my closet. I got rid of anything I hadn’t worn in a year, anything that didn’t fit, and anything that just didn’t make me feel good. It was surprisingly liberating. Suddenly, getting dressed in the morning wasn’t a stressful ordeal. It was… dare I say it… enjoyable? From there, I moved on to other areas of my life. I unsubscribed from a ton of email lists, unfollowed accounts on social media that made me feel bad about myself, and started saying “no” to things I didn’t really want to do.
The Power of “No” (and Setting Boundaries)
Learning to say “no” was probably the hardest part. I’m a people-pleaser by nature. I always want to help others, and I hate letting people down. But I realized that saying “yes” to everything was just draining me and leaving me with no time or energy for myself.
One time, a coworker asked me to cover their shift on a Saturday. Normally, I would have just said yes without even thinking about it. But this time, I paused. I thought about how I was already feeling stressed and overwhelmed, and how I really needed that weekend to recharge. So, I politely declined. And you know what? The world didn’t end. My coworker found someone else to cover the shift, and I got to enjoy my weekend. It was a huge victory for me. I also tried to set reasonable boundaries at work. No more checking emails after 7 PM, and no more taking on extra projects unless I truly had the bandwidth.
Streamlining My Day-to-Day
Beyond decluttering and setting boundaries, I started looking for ways to simplify my day-to-day routine. I started meal prepping on Sundays so I wouldn’t have to worry about what to have for lunch during the week. I created a capsule wardrobe with a limited number of versatile pieces. I even started using a password manager to avoid having to remember a million different passwords. Small changes, sure, but they made a big difference.
For example, choosing what to eat for dinner used to be a nightly struggle. Now, I keep a list of about 5-6 go-to meals that are easy to make and that I enjoy. When dinnertime rolls around, I just pick one from the list. No more endless scrolling through recipe websites or agonizing over whether to order takeout.
The Unexpected Benefits: More Time, Less Stress
The funny thing is, as I simplified my life, I started to realize how much time and energy I had been wasting on unnecessary decisions. I had more time to focus on the things that really mattered to me: spending time with my friends and family, pursuing my hobbies, and just taking care of myself.
My stress levels also plummeted. It’s kind of like decluttering your house but for your mind. Getting rid of the mental clutter made me feel calmer, more focused, and more in control of my life. It wasn’t a quick fix, and I still have moments where I feel overwhelmed. But now I have the tools to recognize when decision fatigue is creeping in and to take steps to combat it.
Still a Work in Progress (But That’s Okay)
I definitely haven’t mastered the art of avoiding decision fatigue. I still have days where I feel overwhelmed and indecisive. But I’m getting better at recognizing the signs and at taking steps to protect my mental energy. I still catch myself saying “yes” to things I should probably decline, and my closet isn’t always perfectly organized.
If you’re curious as I was, you might want to dig into the psychological research on decision fatigue. There’s a lot of interesting stuff out there!
But I’m also learning to be kinder to myself. It’s a journey, not a destination. And that’s okay. The important thing is that I’m making progress, and that I’m learning to prioritize my own well-being. Who even knows what’s next? As long as it’s not staring blankly into my closet for an hour, I think I’ll be okay.
