When Even Coffee Feels Like a Hard Choice

Some mornings I wake up already tired of making decisions. Before I’ve even had my first sip of coffee, I’m stuck in little debates: check email or ignore it? Start the big project or just warm up with something small? Eat breakfast now or… later? On days when anxiety is running high, even simple choices feel like I’m trying to solve a Rubik’s cube blindfolded. That’s when decision fatigue takes the wheel.

Why Decision Fatigue Is a Real Thing

Decision fatigue isn’t just a catchy phrase—it’s actually science. Psychologists like Roy Baumeister found that our decision-making energy is limited, like the battery on your phone. Every choice you make—big or small—drains a little power.¹² By the time you’ve decided what to wear, what to eat, and how to respond to that “quick” text, you’re already running on low. Add anxiety on top of that, and even choosing a snack can feel like a pop quiz you didn’t study for.

A Few Ways to Make It Easier

Here are some strategies that help me when I feel like I’ve already used up my decision-making quota for the day:

  1. Lean on routines. Automate the easy stuff—same breakfast, same go-to outfit, same morning rhythm. It saves energy for the choices that really matter.
  2. Shrink the menu. Instead of asking “What should I do?” I give myself two options: “A or B?” It’s amazing how much calmer that feels.
  3. Batch decisions. Knock out similar things at once—like answering emails in a block instead of every time they ding.
  4. Let someone else decide. Seriously. “Pick dinner tonight” is one of the kindest things you can say to yourself.
  5. Step away. Sometimes the best move is no move. A short walk or just sitting still for five minutes can reset my brain more than powering through.

Decision fatigue doesn’t mean you’re broken. It means you’ve been carrying more than your brain has energy for—and that’s okay. On the hardest days, the wisest choice might be giving yourself permission to choose less.

Also, check out this anxiety playlist to help you in your day: https://youtu.be/nkkpE6xdcnU?si=Fdmw9rgx1nS7QNZT

¹ Roy F. Baumeister & John Tierney, Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength
² Vohs et al., “Making Choices Impairs Subsequent Self-Control: A Limited-Resource Account of Decision Making,” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2008

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