Navigating the Mental Maze: Understanding and Overcoming Decision Fatigue

Don't ask me to make another decision! Anyone else been there recently?

We find ourselves in a world teeming with choices. From selecting the day's ensemble (which colour sweatpants should I wear today?) to deciding what's for lunch, the constant bombardment of decisions can be downright overwhelming.

Ever stood in front of the wardrobe, faced with a plethora of clothing options, unable to make a choice? That, my friend, is the notorious decision fatigue rearing its head. Ever wanted to crawl under a rock after the fifty-seventh time of being asked "What are we having for dinner?" by your teenagers? Yep? Decision fatigue!

What is Decision Fatigue?

Decision fatigue is the mental exhaustion resulting from an excess of choices. It's akin to having too many tabs open in your brain's browser – eventually, it slows down, and you start to feel the strain. Psychologists argue that the quality of our decisions declines as we become fatigued, leading to poor judgment and impulsiveness. We can also get pretty snarky when it comes to being asked questions where we need to make a decision if we believe that the other person could and should be making those decisions in the first place.

This psychologist dude, Roy F. Baumeister, and his colleagues, argue that decision fatigue is a real phenomenon. Their research suggests that the more decisions we make throughout the day, the more our mental resources become depleted, leaving us vulnerable to hasty and suboptimal choices - (Baumeister, Vohs, & Tice, 2007) - reference in the comments if you're interested in learning more! Understanding this psychological aspect can empower us to take proactive steps to manage our decision-making processes more effectively.

Imagine this: you've spent the day deciding on work tasks, what to eat, and where to go after work. By the time you're faced with a tempting display of snacks at the supermarket checkout, your decision-fatigued brain impulsively grabs a Kitkat and a bag of Doritos – they don't align with your health goals, you don't really want them, but you don't want to make the decision of what else to buy and you know these foods already.

Who Tends to Experience Decision Fatigue?

Decision fatigue doesn't play favourites; we've all been there. However, certain individuals are more susceptible than others. Any guesses on who is more susceptible? Let's hear it from the back - people in the traditional caregiving role (predominantly women). Yep, they are the often unsung heroes in the decision fatigue narrative. Women in the workplace, especially those juggling the roles of mothers, partners, and caretakers, frequently find themselves navigating a complex web of choices. From choosing the right school for the kids to managing a hectic work schedule and maintaining a household, the burden of decisions on women can be particularly weighty. This isn't to say that other people don't experience decision fatigue! What we are saying is, if you're the primary caregiver in any situation, and if you're also the person who is responsible for others at work, AND you're the person who manages the majority of the domestic tasks then it is more likely that you are more impacted by decision fatigue.

CEO's, leaders in high powered jobs, judges, they all can be at higher risk of decision fatigue too.

So what can we do about it, if we find that we are one of those people who has to make a lot of decisions every day?

5 Ways to Combat Decision Fatigue

1. Prioritise and Simplify: Identify the most critical decisions you need to make each day and tackle them first. Simplify your choices by narrowing down options, making the decision-making process less taxing.
2. Establish Routines: Streamline your day by creating routines for repetitive tasks. When you automate the smaller decisions, you reserve mental energy for more significant choices.
3. Limit Choices: Ever heard of decision paralysis? Having too many options can be overwhelming. Streamline your choices when possible, whether it's a menu or a wardrobe, to avoid decision overload.
4. Take Breaks: Breaks aren't just for physical rest; they're crucial for mental rejuvenation too. Step away from decision-making moments to recharge and return with a clearer mind.
5. Practice Mindfulness: Engage in mindfulness activities like meditation or deep breathing to clear mental clutter. A calm mind is more adept at navigating choices without succumbing to fatigue.

So, What Now?

How often do you find yourself overwhelmed by decisions? Share your experiences and strategies for combating decision fatigue in the comments below! Let's support each other in navigating the maze of choices that women, particularly in the workplace, face in their multifaceted roles.

For now,

Toodles x