Decision fatigue

Willpower isn’t just a skill. It’s a muscle, like the muscles in your arms or legs, and it gets tired as it works harder, so there’s less power left over for other things.

~ Charles Duhigg

Decision fatigue is the emotional and mental strain resulting from the burden of having too many choices to make.

Over the last couple of months, I have spent my days helping my daughter with her baby, and the evenings packing possessions for moving, selling or donating.

I have had time for little else, including this blog.

What to write about

It is 8:30 PM Thursday. My daughter, baby and I drove north for the weekend.

After preparing a healthy meal and cleaning up, I sat down, unsure what to write about.

Hmmm! I'll tell you:

How decision fatigue has affected me

Several times, I took the west exit when intending to drive east. Our home is west of my daughter's. On autopilot, I'm inclined to drive home.

As I rush around, I keep leaving my cell phone behind. Today, I even forgot my computer. Had to return home, or else no blog.

Running low on willpower, I have craved cooling, comfort food and uncharacteristically eaten more ice cream over the past week than I would have over the whole summer.

Because our kettle in the townhouse broke last month, and we already have one at the cottage, I have placed water in a pot to boil for tea and forgot about it.

Yikes! I’m usually more cautious than that. But, cortisol, the stress hormone does wreak havoc on memory.

As the official moving date nears, I have become hasty.

I find myself purging way more than I thought I would.

Haven’t worn this in a year - gone.

The chair and couch I loved, no place for them - take them away.

If the kids don’t want Christening keepsakes, let them go.

All of a sudden I am attached to nothing.

It’s not just cortisol wreaking havoc on my memory

Admittedly, I also found myself supplementing more of a calming amino acid that acts as a neurotransmitter (GABA) and a sleep hormone (melatonin) at bedtime.

With my mind on overdrive, I thought I needed these. But, for me, less has always been more.

Yesterday I realized that besides decision fatigue, the excessive supplementation may be why my memory has been failing me.

The good thing is that none of what I take is addictive. I can tapper off easily. No harm done.

But, it is a good reminder that even plant-based remedies can have unwanted side effects.

Lesson learned. For monkey-mind, meditation is what I need.