Decision Fatigue Might Be Contentious, But This Isn’t
We live in an age of overwhelming choices. From what to eat for breakfast to which career path to pursue, decisions come at us relentlessly. And with them comes the idea of decision fatigue. This is the claim that the more decisions we make, the worse we get at making them.
But here’s the catch: decision fatigue as a concept is controversial. Some researchers argue it oversimplifies how our minds work. They also point out inconsistencies in studies that support it. These controversies aside, one thing is undeniable: our mental bandwidth is finite.
The more cluttered our minds, the harder it becomes to make clear, confident decisions.
So, if the foundation of clear decisions is an uncluttered mind, how do we do that?
Sabotage via Mental Clutter
Every decision we make draws on our limited cognitive resources.
Our brain is often busy juggling to-do lists, unresolved thoughts, or stray worries. In this state, it struggles to focus on the choices in front of us. Our brain is caught up managing the noise. Its cycles are better spent analysing options or weighing outcomes.
To clear that noise, we don’t need to escape to a mountaintop and meditate our thoughts away*. We don’t need to somehow silence our inner chatter. Instead, all it takes is a simple method that allows our mind to release its tight grip on every little thing.
What is it?
Writing things down.
*This ideal seems to stop many people from trying to meditate <>.
Writing as a Mental Declutterer
Some of you might feel relieved. Some of you might feel disappointed.
Either way, it can be that simple. The more that I have offloaded my thoughts into various media, the clearer my mind becomes. I’ll talk about some specific tools later. If you’re impatient, feel free to skip to the takeaways section.
And for the curious, let’s go into why this works!
Imagine this: Our brains are like a computer with too many tabs open. Writing things down is like saving those tabs for later. You’re telling your brain, “I’ve got this covered. You don’t need to keep reminding me.”
For more details on this, you can see my post on the <Zygernik effect>.
When we write, it’s an opportunity to offload cyclones of thought onto paper. This frees up space in our minds to focus on the present. It doesn’t matter what the thought is. Putting stray thoughts down on paper ensures they are captured.
Takeaway: Journals, Scraps, or …Whatever Works
Here’s the best thing: you don’t need a fancy system to enjoy this practice. Don’t get me wrong, a simple journal will get you clarity. But even jotting ideas on scraps of paper can work. Though make sure you keep them handy. You will want to organise and process them later.
You may be thinking: a chaotic pile of notes won’t do much to ease mental clutter! Then again, your thoughts on a chaotic pile of notes is much better than in a chaotic bunch of brain cells!
At first, it may seem strange to jot down every strange thought that comes to mind. I’ll say, push through the strange. It’s worth it.
The act of writing forces you to slow down and articulate what’s on your mind. It might even reveal patterns or priorities you hadn’t noticed before. Over time, this habit doesn’t only clear your head; it improves the quality of your thinking.
Clear Mind, Better Decisions
Good decisions come from clarity, not chaos. By clearing mental clutter, you give yourself the space to think. You can then use this space to arrange and assess the options, and feel confident in your choices. Writing things down might seem small, but it’s a powerful step toward a calmer, yet sharper mind.
So next time you’re facing a tough decision, try this. First, grab a pen,. Second, jot down what’s on your mind. Finally, give your brain the gift of clarity. A clear head makes navigating life’s tough decisions so much easier.