Focus Friday: Decision Fatigue💡

Why You’re Tired of Choosing & What to Do About It 🧠

Ever feel like your brain just can’t make one more decision? 🤯 You stare at a menu, scrolling endlessly, unable to pick something to eat. You walk into a store, overwhelmed by the options. Or maybe it’s the tiny choices—what to wear, what to clean first, what task to tackle—that leave you feeling stuck.

That’s decision fatigue, and it’s real. The more decisions we make, the harder each one becomes. And if you have ADHD, executive dysfunction, or just a lot on your plate (hello, modern life!), this can hit even harder.

The good news? You don’t have to live in a state of mental exhaustion. Let’s talk about what’s happening in your brain and how to reclaim some of that energy. ⚡

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What Is Decision Fatigue?

Your brain has a limited reserve of decision-making power each day. 🧠 Think of it like a smartphone battery—every choice you make drains a little bit of energy. By the time you hit the afternoon slump, even simple choices feel overwhelming.

That’s when we fall into patterns like:
🔁 Avoidance (I’ll just deal with it later… or never.)
🔁 Impulsivity (Whatever, I’ll just pick the first thing I see.)
🔁 Overthinking (What if I make the wrong choice?!)

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. And if you have ADHD, your brain might struggle even more because it’s constantly filtering through a flood of information while trying to prioritize, plan, and execute. No wonder you’re exhausted!

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How to Reduce Decision Fatigue 🔋

The key? Fewer choices = more energy. Here are simple ways to conserve your mental battery:

1️⃣ Reduce Daily Decisions with Routines

Ever notice why successful people wear the same outfit every day? Steve Jobs, Barack Obama, even Einstein—they all eliminated trivial choices to save brainpower for bigger decisions. You can do the same by:
👕 Creating a “capsule wardrobe” (pre-planned outfits)
🥗 Meal prepping or rotating favorite meals
⏰ Setting up morning & night routines

The more automatic something is, the less energy it drains.

2️⃣ Use the 2-Minute Rule for Small Decisions

If a decision takes less than 2 minutes, don’t overthink it—just decide and move on! ⏳

🍎 Apple or banana? Just grab one.
📧 Reply now or later? If it’s quick, answer now.
👚 Red shirt or blue shirt? Either works—pick and go!

The more you train your brain to trust your choices, the easier it gets.

3️⃣ Set Limits on Choice Overload

Some things just have too many options (looking at you, Netflix 🎥 and online shopping 🛍️). Give yourself boundaries to cut down on time-wasting indecision.

📺 Netflix rule → Pick from your “watch next” list, no scrolling!
🛒 Online shopping? → Set a time limit (10 mins, then decide!).
🍽 Ordering food? → Have a go-to list of favorites.

4️⃣ Outsource & Automate

Free up mental space by letting technology, lists, or other people take some of the load.

✅ Auto-pay bills so you don’t have to remember.
✅ Use a to-do list app so you don’t waste time recalling tasks.
✅ Let others decide—ask a friend, partner, or kiddo to pick dinner.

5️⃣ Give Yourself Decision-Free Days

If you’re extra burned out, try a low-decision day. Plan ahead so you can coast through with minimal choices. 👏

💤 Lazy Sunday? Wear PJs, eat leftovers, and watch whatever’s on.
🛒 Errands day? Stick to a list—no browsing!
🍽 Meal-prepped Monday? Eat what’s already made.

This helps reset your mental energy so you can tackle the bigger stuff.

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You Don’t Have to Choose Alone! ❤️

Decision fatigue is real, but you can take small steps to make daily life less overwhelming. If your brain feels like it’s constantly on overdrive, try simplifying choices, setting boundaries, and automating where you can. 🌟

And if decision fatigue is a major struggle for you, you’re not alone! My FREE Navigating ADHD Mini Workbook has practical strategies to help you cut through mental clutter and find systems that work for you. 🧠✨

What’s one decision that always drains your energy? Drop it in the comments—I bet you’re not the only one! ⬇️