Have you ever felt like you’re spending way too much time deciding what to eat, wear, or watch? You’re not alone. Modern life is filled with endless choices, and while having options is great, too many can leave us feeling drained, stuck, and even stressed out.
New research shows that people spend about 2.5 hours every day making everyday decisions.
But is decision fatigue a new thing? Not really. Ancient philosophers like Socrates and Aristotle discussed the mental toll of making difficult choices. Even in historical times, leaders like Alexander the Great reportedly simplified their lives by wearing similar clothing or following strict routines to avoid mental exhaustion. The idea of conserving mental energy isn’t new—it’s something humans have battled for centuries, though modern life has amplified the challenge with endless daily choices. That’s a lot of time spent choosing between cereal or toast, jeans or leggings, action movies or comedies. These decisions may seem small, but they add up and can leave you mentally exhausted by the end of the day—a phenomenon called decision fatigue.
When decision fatigue hits, it’s harder to focus on what really matters. We might avoid making important life choices, like managing our finances or pursuing personal goals, because we’re simply too tired. So, what can we do?
Experts recommend simplifying daily decisions to save mental energy for the big stuff. In this video, we’ll explore how to lighten your mental load, make faster choices, and avoid getting stuck in decision overload. Let me walk you through how my day often plays out and share some helpful tips along the way.
[Scene 1 – Morning Decisions]
I wake up in the morning, ready to start my day. First decision: What should I have for breakfast? Cereal or toast? Maybe some fruit? After about 10 minutes of staring into the fridge, I finally decide on toast with peanut butter. That’s one decision down!
Next up, what to wear. It’s a typical day, so jeans and a comfy sweater seem right.
But why do these small decisions even matter? Shouldn’t picking breakfast or choosing an outfit come naturally? The truth is, even simple choices can become overwhelming when they pile up. According to psychologist Barry Schwartz, author of The Paradox of Choice, having too many options can cause “choice paralysis,” making even minor decisions feel stressful. Our brains get stuck weighing pros and cons, which leads to mental fatigue and slows us down. But wait, what if it gets warmer later? Should I grab a lighter top? After swapping outfits a couple of times, I’m finally dressed. Research says it takes women about 18 minutes on average to decide what to wear—sounds about right! It’s like Steve Jobs always wearing the same black turtleneck—less time spent deciding, more time for creativity.
[Scene 2 – Midday Choices]
Lunchtime rolls around, and guess what? I’m back in the kitchen, wondering what to eat again. A sandwich? A salad? Maybe leftovers? This time, I set a timer to keep myself from overthinking. Experts say people spend nearly an hour every day just deciding what to eat!
It reminds me of Yogi Berra’s famous quote: “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.”
Sometimes making a choice feels like playing the classic nursery rhyme game “Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe.” There are moments when we know exactly what our taste buds are craving—a comforting bowl of pasta or a crispy sandwich. But other times, every option seems equally appealing or unappealing, and we start listing pros and cons for every morsel of food. In those cases, it’s often best to close your eyes, point at something, and eat. Trust your instincts—you’ll probably enjoy the meal just as much as if you had spent 20 minutes deciding! On the surface, this sounds confusing, but it’s actually great advice about making decisions when you’re stuck. It means that sometimes, any choice is better than no choice at all. For example, if you’re standing in front of the fridge debating between a salad and a sandwich, just pick one and move on—you’ll still get fed, and you’ll avoid wasting time and energy.
[Scene 3 – Evening Wind-Down]
After dinner, I’m ready to relax. Time for some TV! But here comes the hardest part: finding something to watch.
It’s not just TV—this indecision spills into other leisure activities too. Think about that pile of half-read books on your shelf, all started but never finished because you couldn’t decide which one to commit to. Or those board games you bought with excitement but never opened because choosing the right time or group felt too tricky. According to Dr. Sheena Iyengar, an expert on decision-making, too many choices can create “decision paralysis,” where we avoid making decisions altogether because the mental effort feels overwhelming. Leisure, meant to relax us, can ironically become a source of stress when options feel endless. Should I continue that show I started last week or try something new? I scroll through streaming services for what feels like forever. Did you know it takes people about 20 minutes just to decide what to watch on TV? No wonder my popcorn is usually gone before I even press play! It’s like being stuck in Netflix’s version of Shakespeare’s “To be or not to be”—except it’s “To watch or not to watch.”
[Scene 4 – The Bigger Picture]
While these little decisions seem harmless, they can add up and leave us feeling drained. And when it’s time to make more significant choices—like where to live, how to invest money, or what career path to take—we might not have much energy left. Research shows that financial decisions are some of the toughest, with buying a house and investing money topping the list.
It’s similar to how Benjamin Franklin famously said, “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” This means that learning something valuable now can pay off greatly in the future. For example:
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Learning a New Skill: If you invest time learning how to cook, you’ll save money on takeout and eat healthier in the long run.
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Financial Literacy: Understanding how to budget and invest can lead to financial stability and even early retirement.
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Career Development: Taking a course or earning a certification can open up better job opportunities, increasing your earning potential.
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Health and Fitness: Learning about nutrition and exercise can lead to a healthier, longer life, reducing medical expenses.
[Expert Insight]
Leonardo da Vinci, one of history’s greatest polymaths, understood the value of managing mental energy. He reportedly kept detailed notebooks to capture his ideas, allowing his mind to focus on creative breakthroughs without being bogged down by everyday concerns.
Da Vinci might advise us something like this:
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Simplify Routine Decisions: Just as da Vinci sketched ideas to avoid forgetting them, keep a daily planner or meal prep in advance to save decision-making power.
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Prioritize Important Decisions: He worked on complex inventions early in the day when his mind was sharp—a practice modern productivity experts recommend.
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Limit Choices: Da Vinci limited distractions when working on masterpieces. Similarly, reduce unnecessary choices by sticking to tried-and-true options for daily tasks.
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Use Expert Help: Even da Vinci collaborated with fellow inventors and patrons. Don’t hesitate to seek expert advice when faced with major life decisions, whether in finances, career planning, or personal growth. It happens when your brain gets tired from making too many decisions, leaving you less capable of choosing wisely later on. His team developed strategies to combat this:
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Simplify Routine Decisions: Streamline everyday choices like meal planning or outfit selection by prepping in advance, much like how Mark Zuckerberg wears the same style every day.
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Prioritize Important Decisions: Make major decisions earlier in the day when your mind is fresh and less fatigued.
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Limit Choices: Reduce options where possible. For example, stick to a few favorite meal options during busy weeks.
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Use Expert Help: For critical and complex decisions, like financial planning, consider using expert services. His team’s service at Barclays makes tailored investment choices so you don’t have to.
[Closing Thought]
Looking back, it’s clear how decision fatigue sneaks into every corner of our lives. In the morning, small choices like breakfast and outfits seem simple, but they chip away at our mental energy. By midday, even picking lunch can feel like a battle, leaving us scrolling endlessly or playing “Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe” just to move forward. In the evening, when we should be winding down, we face a pile of unread books, unopened board games, or endless streaming options that make relaxing anything but relaxing.
These everyday moments might seem minor, but when combined, they drain our ability to tackle the bigger, more meaningful decisions—like advancing in our careers, managing our finances, or improving our health. As Benjamin Franklin wisely said, “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” Learning how to manage decisions is one of the smartest investments you can make.
So, what can we take away from all this? Maybe it’s time to channel our inner Leonardo da Vinci: simplify routines, set priorities, reduce unnecessary choices, and seek expert advice when needed. Decision-making doesn’t have to feel like an endless maze.
Next time you’re stuck choosing between pizza or pasta, or deciding what to wear to that big event, remember—you’re not alone. Simplify where you can, trust your instincts, and save your energy for what truly matters.