My indecisiveness is exhausting me

[hivisalways]

Sometimes, particularly if I’ve had a busy week I just can’t make a decision over simple things at the weekend

For instance, today. We needed a new household bin so I googled and saw they were on offer in Argos. However, Asda sell something specific that I needed for a recipe but driving to Asda is further and would mean I’d pay more for the bin. I couldn’t be bothered to waste the fuel going to both. It took me an hour to make a decision on this with lots of procrastinating in between

I can’t be bothered to cook tea, it’s been a very busy week. DH could but I prefer it when I make it plus he’s been doing lots of DIY today. I fancy a takeaway and we have the funds to do so but just can’t decide which I want. I thought about a Chinese but they don’t deliver so we’d have to go collect it. We could deliveroo something but sometimes it winds up cold. Instead I’m no further on with my decision making and alas I’m writing this post

I’m absolutely exhausting myself with all of it and wish I could just make a decision in 5 seconds about trivial things like most other people do

Is anyone else like this? How do I stop it?

Try something like using a dice or tossing a coin?

You’re making drama where there is none. Bins and tea? Take a deep breath, make a decision and move on.

I am going through this too OP. It's like I am so overwhelmed with indecision. It's the reason I don't go to the supermarket these days, I can't cope with the choices on offer e.g. 1000's of different types of bread. I am struggling to choose meals. It is exhausting.

Decision fatigue is a thing apparently.

I used to be the same until I read decision making takes practice. You literally train your brain to make them more efficiently. Pay attention to when you make tiny decisions. Eg which shoes to put on. Praise yourself for making the decision and note that you feel good for it. Increase the size & scale and learn from how you felt in making a snappy decision. It gives you confidence in your ability to do so. Then, stop overthinking!

Are you feeling anxious in general? Just it can be a sign of anxiety the inability to make a decision. You're worried it you'll make the wrong choice.

I get like this sometimes. It helps me to remind myself that the world isn’t going to end if I make the “wrong” decision.

eg. The bin issue. I would say to myself, “so what if I spend more money on the bin? I’m (thankfully!!!) not currently in a situation where spending an extra tenner will bankrupt us”. If I was in à situation where the money is an issue then just go to both shops: the time it takes isn’t that long in the scheme of things.

With the takeaway thing, just flip a coin. If it’s cold, microwave it. If it tastes rubbish, bah, you’ll live.

I find I get like this when my anxiety is at its highest and I’m generally much more irritated by myself and decisions of the past.
Which is pointless because I can’t change the past, ruminating on previous outcomes is maybe a distraction from present stress.
I’m not sure. You are definitely not alone though.
One thing I find that helps, is saying to myself ‘what’s the worst that could happen?’ It helps remind me these are tiny things in the grand scheme, it will all be fine to the end.

If I were your husband you would have driven me to insanity OP!! Just make a decision and crack on. You want the bin from Argos then order it and collect it...by the time you've faffed about thinking about it you could have gone to both Argos and Asda 😉

One trick to help with decision making, is to tell yourself, that if you choose option A, then it'll be fine, and if you choose option B it will also be fine. So it doesn't really matter which one you choose - either choice is OK so you can stop agonising about it. This is especially true re minor things like bins and dinners!