Learn how Simple Decisions can take away decision fatigue and make your life easier! It’s like decluttering your brain, which will always make you feel better!
Have you ever felt like your brain was just… full?
Not because anything dramatic happened, but because you had to decide what to wear, what to cook, whether to tackle the dishes or laundry first, and where to park at the grocery store (only to forget where you parked an hour later)? Oh, how many times I’ve wandered the massive parking lot, clicking my key fob, and hoping my car horn will honk to tell me where I parked!
These aren’t big, life-changing decisions. They’re small, everyday choices. But they pile up…really, really fast. They leave us feeling drained, cranky, and overwhelmed before the day is even halfway over.
Simple Decisions – Make One Simple Decision and Then Be Done!
One of the most helpful tools I’ve learned to use in my own life is what I call Simple Decisions. They’re not new. They’re not complicated. They’re just small routines, go-to habits, or intentional defaults that help reduce the mental clutter and give your brain a break.
Let’s talk about what Simple Decisions are, why they matter, and how you can start using them to create a calmer, more organized day.
Why All Those Little Decisions Are Exhausting
As homemakers, we make a lot of decisions every day, more than we even realize.
From the moment our feet hit the floor in the morning to the second we collapse on the couch at night to veg out on Netflix or endless reels, we’re making choices:
- What should I wear?
- What’s for breakfast?
- Should I go to the store today or tomorrow?
- Did I remember to put the wash in the dryer?
- What’s the plan for dinner? Did I thaw what was needed?
- What birthday present will I buy for this week’s party?
Each one decision might seem small, but together? They add up to something called decision fatigue. It’s a very real, very common experience where your brain becomes tired and less effective from making too many decisions.
Plus, when we’re tired, we’re more likely to feel overwhelmed and get cranky. (Please tell me I’m not the only one to get cranky when overwhelmed!)
Please may even procrastinate because we are paralyzed with where to start; overspend of impulse buy because we have no plan; or say “yes” to think we don’t actually want to do because we don’t have a plan for those situations.
We can develop anxiety, feel scattered, or just plain stuck. It’s no fun!
Don’t worry! There is relief. We can reclaim some of that energy with a few intentional, simple decisions.
What Are Simple Decisions?
Simple Decisions are small, intentional choices you make once (or just once per season) to eliminate repetitive daily decisions. They help you run on autopilot in the best way.
They’re kind of like routines, but without the pressure or perfectionism.
You’re not creating a strict schedule or color-coded plan. You’re just giving yourself an easier path forward.
Here are a few examples of Simple Decisions in my life right now:
- Deciding that every Monday is “wear a dress” day, because Mondays are tough, and it’s nice to feel a little extra pulled together. Bonus, you can wear the same dress you wore for only two hours to church over the weekend. (That’s two days of decisions covered!)
- Always parking on the left side of the grocery store, even if it’s a bit farther back, so you never lose your car.
- Giving the same gift to every one of your child’s friends for birthdays—because it’s thoughtful and easy.
- Only cleaning the bathrooms on Tuesday. If you miss a Tuesday, no big deal, it will come around again next week. You stop worrying about it.
Simple Decisions give your brain one less thing to think about. They aren’t about being lazy—they’re about being kind to yourself.
Why Simple Decisions Actually Work
1. They reduce mental clutter.
Your brain is already managing your to-do list, your family’s schedules, meal planning, budgeting, and more. Every decision you remove frees up space.
2. They save time.
Not sure what to wear? Your “Simple Decision” already handled it. Not sure what to make for dinner? Taco Tuesday, done.
3. They increase consistency.
Having go-to routines means less forgetting, less scrambling, and more stability—even in chaotic seasons.
4. They create calm.
Predictability is peaceful. When you know what to expect, you feel more in control.
5. They build momentum.
Each Simple Decision that works gives you the confidence to make another.
How to Start Using Simple Decisions in Your Life
First, identify where your day feels heavy. Start with one part of the day that feels like a struggle. Is it mornings? Evenings? Getting out the door?
Then, ask yourself, “What’s a decision I could make once and stop rethinking every day?” It doesn’t have to be dramatic. Think: breakfast, clothing, bedtime routines, errands.
Next, choose one Simple Decision to test for a few weeks. Make it realistic. Make it doable. No perfectionism here. It might be that you have slow-cooker soup every Wednesday or you wear the same outfit every Thursday.
Finally, adjust as needed. If your new Simple Decision works, great! If not, tweak it or try something else. This is a tool, not a rule.
Build from there. Once you feel the relief of even one decision off your plate, you’ll start to see where else this can help.
Simple Decisions About Being Perfect. They Are About Making Life Easier.
You don’t need to overhaul your entire life. You simply need a few go-to choices that work for you. Your version of Simple Decisions might look different from mine—and that’s the point.
This is about easing the pressure, simplifying your routines, and reclaiming your peace.
So, what’s one Simple Decision you can make today?
Let it be easy. Let it be enough.
Your future self will thank you.
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