Death by 1,000 Decisions

A working mom’s guide to surviving decision fatigue

Photo by SEO Galaxy on Unsplash

The alarm screams at 5 a.m., and it begins.

The first decision of the day: hit snooze or brave the arctic blast of the bedroom floor?

Snooze it is. But wait, that means less time to get the kiddo moving, pack lunches, answer those urgent emails… See? It’s a trap!

Before I even set foot on the floor, I find myself navigating a maze of options.

This is the modern-day “death by 1,000 cuts.” Except, in our paperless world, it’s “death by 1,000 decisions.” As a working mom, writer, creator, coach, partner, and general life juggler, I'm confident that I meet my quota before noon.

You see, I’m not just any mom. I’m the queen of overthinking, the sultan of second-guessing, the empress of “what ifs.” My brain is a never-ending loop of to-do lists, creative brainstorms, and potential disasters, all vying for attention.

Should I write that blog post now, or tackle the mountain of laundry threatening to take over the living room? Does my son need therapy, or is this just normal teenage angst? Is the strange noise the car is making a warning of impending disaster, or is it just a harmless rattle?

The Science of “Ugh, I Can’t Even”

It turns out, there’s a scientific reason for this constant feeling of mental exhaustion. It’s called decision fatigue, and it’s a real thing. Every time we make a decision, big or small, our brain uses up precious glucose. As our glucose levels decrease, our capacity to make logical, deliberate decisions diminishes.

Think of your willpower as a muscle. You can only work it out so much before it gets tired and needs a break. But unlike a muscle, you can’t just hit the mental gym and pump some iron to strengthen your decision-making abilities. The more decisions you make, the weaker your willpower becomes.

The Decision-Making Marathon

My day is a marathon of decision-making. From the moment I open my eyes, I’m bombarded with choices:

5:00 a.m.: Snooze or rise? Coffee or tea? Workout or write?

6:00 a.m.: Teenage wake-up call: gentle nudge or foghorn imitation? Breakfast: healthy oatmeal or sugar-laden cereal (that will inevitably lead to a mid-morning crash and another decision about whether or not to cave and give her a cookie)?

7:00 a.m.: Outfit roulette: professional chic or comfy casual? (Spoiler alert: comfy casual wins every time.)

8:00 a.m. — 5:00 p.m.: The workday whirlwind: answer emails, prioritize tasks, solve problems, attend meetings, negotiate deadlines, and resist the social media.

5:00 p.m. — 10:00 p.m.: The “second shift”: dinner (cook or order?), homework help (algebra or tears?), family time (movie night or board games?), and maybe, just maybe, a few stolen moments to work on my own creative projects.

10:00 p.m.: Bedtime routine: scroll through Instagram or read a book?

11:00 p.m.: Finally, sleep. But wait, what if I forget something important? Should I get up and check the calendar one more time?

And that’s just a glimpse into my daily decision-making marathon. I understand why I often feel exhausted by the end of the day.

The Consequences of Decision Overload

The constant bombardment of choices has a significant impact. Decision fatigue leads to:

Poor choices: When your brain is tired, you’re more likely to make impulsive decisions, opt for the easy way out, or simply avoid making a decision altogether.

Procrastination: Overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices, you put off making any decisions, leading to missed deadlines and increased stress.

Irritability and impatience: Your fuse gets shorter, and you find yourself snapping at your loved ones (sorry, family!).

Reduced creativity: Decision fatigue drains your mental energy, leaving you with little brainpower for creative pursuits.

Stress and anxiety: The constant pressure to make the “right” decision can lead to feelings of overwhelm and anxiety.

Reclaiming My Sanity (and My Creativity)

So, how do I, a self-proclaimed decision-making overthinker, combat this debilitating fatigue? It’s a work in progress, but here are a few strategies I’ve found helpful:

Streamline my routine: I’ve created a morning routine that’s as automated as possible. My morning routine consists of the same breakfast, the same workout, and the same outfit (well, maybe I have two go-to outfits). This eliminates unnecessary decisions and frees up mental energy for more important choices.

Prioritize ruthlessly: I focus on the most important tasks and delegate or eliminate the rest. Learning to say “no” is a superpower I’m still mastering, but it’s getting easier with practice.

Embrace imperfection: Not every decision needs to be perfect. Sometimes, “good enough” is good enough. This is especially true for creative projects. Don’t let the pursuit of perfection paralyze you.

Schedule breaks: I build short breaks into my day to give my brain a chance to rest and recharge. A few minutes of meditation, a walk in nature, or simply staring out the window can do wonders for my mental clarity.

Limit choices: I’ve reduced the number of options I have to choose from. For example, I’ve created a capsule wardrobe, simplified my meal planning, and unsubscribed from most email newsletters (except for the really good ones, of course!).

Choose Wisely

I know you feel me. We’re constantly bombarded with information, ideas, and opportunities. The whirlwind of decision-making can easily overwhelm us, causing us to lose sight of what truly matters.

But here’s the thing: our creativity thrives on mental space and freedom. When we’re bogged down by decision fatigue, our creative spark dims. We need to protect our mental energy and prioritize our well-being.

So, let’s make a pact. Let’s commit to streamlining our routines, prioritizing our tasks, and embracing imperfection. Let’s give ourselves permission to say “no” and to take breaks. Let’s reclaim our sanity and our creativity.

We need to be intentional about how we spend our precious mental energy in a world that demands so much from us. We need to choose wisely, create freely, and live fully. And that is a decision worth making.

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