Did you know your brain makes around 35,000 decisions every single day? (Yes, really!) Each one—no matter how small—slowly drains your mental energy. Wondering what kind of decisions? Think: what to eat, what to wear, which route to take, which reel to watch (yep, even that counts!), which emails to tackle first, what groceries to order, what to cook—the list goes on.

Your brain can only handle so much. The more choices you’re faced with, the harder it becomes to make decisions, leading to both mental and physical exhaustion. This phenomenon is known as decision fatigue—the idea that our ability to make good decisions declines as the day progresses due to the sheer volume of mental tasks. As a result, we’re more likely to make poor or impulsive choices.

Previous generations had it a little easier—life wasn’t as fast-paced or complex as it is today. They didn’t hustle the way we do, weren’t bombarded with endless options, and most importantly, they didn’t have social media demanding their attention 24/7. Today, juggling work, home, and family responsibilities can be both physically and mentally draining. This constant pressure often shows up as irritability, procrastination, impulse spending online, dissatisfaction with your choices, brain fog, and even burnout.

When everyday stress starts to cloud our judgment—at work and at home—it feels like we’re spiraling toward chaos. But here’s the good news: it doesn’t have to stay that way. We can take back control.

• Create daily routines (aka build habits): We all have regular tasks we repeat every day. By turning them into habits, you put them on autopilot—no need to waste mental energy figuring out the what, when, or how. It’s like giving your brain a breather!
• Plan your meals ahead of time: Take a bit of time over the weekend to plan your weekly menu and restock your groceries. This way, at the end of a long day you do not have to stand in front of the fridge at 8 pm and wonder what to cook (one less decision to make!)
• Schedule your day the night before: Before going to bed, jot down the key things you want to get done the next day. When you wake up, just follow the plan—no overthinking, no second-guessing.
• Prioritize sleep: A well-rested brain makes better decisions. Try to schedule important tasks or big decisions for the morning hours when your mind is sharp and energy levels are high.
• Learn to delegate and stop micromanaging: Let others in your life—your partner, kids, coworkers—make some of the calls. Trusting them not only reduces your load but also builds mutual respect.
• Set smaller, realistic goals: Big tasks can feel overwhelming. Break them into smaller, manageable chunks. Achieving them step by step helps you stay motivated and prevents burnout.

Finally, streamline your choices for the long run. By cutting down the overwhelming number of options and sticking to the basics, you reduce decision fatigue and give your brain the mental space it needs to focus on what truly matters. Simplifying your life—even in small ways—can lead to greater clarity, better choices, and a calmer mind. allocate its energy into making smarter and more tactful decisions for what really matter in life and at work.