#decision-fatigue

#decision-fatigue

Every weekend, before her workweek starts, she irons and prepares every outfit she plans to wear for the week. Once everything is pressed, she assembles each full outfit - slacks, blouse, blazer - and hangs them together in order from Monday through Friday. Beneath each hanging outfit, she places the corresponding pair of shoes so they're ready to slip on.

I had a closet full of clothes, yet somehow nothing was right. Even three days a week felt like a lot of outfits compared to my previous zero. And unfortunately, I'm the kind of person whose mood is directly correlated to what I'm wearing. If my outfit doesn't make me feel like the most fashionable, put-together version of myself, my entire day is.... dare I say, ruined.

Right now, as I write this, there are exactly seven dishes in my sink. Two coffee mugs, a cereal bowl from breakfast, plates from last night's takeout, and a couple of forks that somehow multiplied when I wasn't looking. For the longest time, I thought this was just about being busy or maybe a bit lazy. But after diving deep into psychological research and talking to behavioral experts,

Actually, it makes perfect sense once you understand what's really happening in your brain. After spending months unemployed following media layoffs, I became intimately familiar with this paradox. Days spent scrolling job boards and refreshing email left me more drained than my busiest workdays ever had. The exhaustion wasn't physical-it was something deeper, something that sleep couldn't fix.

Most people think that sparking creativity is all about adding things[1]. They tend to think that the more they add to a particular venture or product or service, the better. More features-sure that will add to the creative element of the offering! More options? Yes, please! That will add choice, which will lead to better outcomes. We tend to associate more with being better. But when it comes to creativity, less is more.

The difference between staying wealthy and losing it all isn't about making brilliant investment moves or having insider knowledge. After interviewing over 200 people for my articles, including everyone from startup founders to researchers studying wealth preservation, I've noticed something fascinating: Wealthy people who maintain their wealth make profoundly boring choices that most of us overlook. These aren't the sexy decisions that make headlines. They're the mundane, almost tedious habits that create an unshakeable foundation.

Brain fog can happen to anyone and it's not a personal failing or a sign that you're not coping. Often, it's simply your brain's way of saying it's tired, stressed or overstretched. Remind yourself that brain fog is usually temporary and it's okay to slow down, delegate tasks or ask for help when you need it. If you are concerned then you should contact your GP.

A few days ago, my partner and I received a shopping voucher worth 500K rupiah ($30). At first, it felt exciting. We already had a plan: both of us needed new denim pants, and this voucher would cover it. We agreed on one rule, the total spend shouldn't go beyond 20% above the voucher's value. Simple enough, right? Two days later, after walking through malls, checking store after store, and chasing discounts, we found ourselves exhausted and frustrated.

Maximizing leads to less happiness, as constantly seeking the best option increases regret and dissatisfaction. Too many choices create decision fatigue, reducing contentment.

Decision fatigue can make even low-stakes choices overwhelming. The Rule of Five helps minimize this fatigue by limiting food options in the kitchen.