Do you know what decision fatigue means? It’s exactly what it sounds like. It’s being weary of having to make any more decisions in life, including what to have for dinner, what shirt to wear, and a multitude of minor and major work decisions. I keep hearing clients and friends say that they have severe decision fatigue and it turns out that I do too. Probably the worst question that my husband can ask me is, “What do you want to do for dinner?” Ugggg! I want to not decide what we do for dinner. I want someone to either make it for me, order it for me, or decide for me so that I don’t have to make one more decision in the day.
Is decision fatigue a new thing brought on by our ridiculously fast-moving society? It seems as if that might be so. We are all so busy and so inundated with notifications, emails, requests for quick and thorough decisions. What ever happened to snail mail? Those were the days when you could send someone a letter and not get a return letter for days, even weeks. You never got a follow up that started with, “Circling back with you . . . “ Now, we return emails within 24 hours and with that return email, we have to make a decision about something. How do we respond to that email? Is there something else I need to do because of that email or text or slack message? It’s exhausting.
So how do we manage and/or recover from decision fatigue in a world that requires us to make constant and quick decisions? What does fatigue recovery look like? Is it even possible? Based on my own little one-person study, recovery might not be realistic, but decision fatigue management or resiliency does seem possible. Here’s what I did to help me with my decision fatigue. I have carved out time every day in which no decisions will be made. No decisions will be made after 7 p.m., and if at all possible, earlier than that. I take frequent five to ten minute breaks throughout the day in which no decisions are made or even contemplated.
“No decision walks” are also taken. During these walks, I just put my Spotify on random and I walk. If I get a call, text, or email that asks for a decision, I don’t respond until after my walk is complete. Here’s the bottom line…we can’t slow our society down, yet we can slow our minds down. We can choose times to not make decisions, but rather sit back and be present and in the moment. Emails are going to come in, as will messages and texts and so many other ways that people have to get ahold of us. Can you choose to take some periodic breaks from those messages? Can you schedule time in the day to not make decisions?
Can someone tell me what to eat for dinner for the next few years? I’m working on making less decisions.
If you’re working on making less decisions too & need guidance on how to lighten your mental load, I’d be happy to help you through individual coaching. If you’re interested in learning more about how I can help you, click here to get in touch.
With love,
Lisa Kaplin Psy. D. PCC