Why Is It So Tough To Make A Right Decision?

Why is it so hard to make decisions today?

Is it because you’re indecisive?

Is it because you overthink things?

Or is it because you simply don’t trust yourself anymore?

Or maybe,

It’s because by the time a big decision shows up…

See your brain is already burnt out from making a hundred small decisions.

From the moment you wake up, you're choosing:

• What to wear

• What to eat

• What to reply to

• What app to open

• What task deserves your energy

Tiny choices, back to back, with no space to pause.

So when something bigger enters the picture; like a career shift, a relationship crossroad, or a financial leap you don't feel clear. You feel drained.

You don’t want to move forward. You just want relief.

I’ve been there too.

And that’s when I realised, this isn’t a you problem.

This is a choice overload problem.

⚛️ Let’s talk about it

Here’s the thing; you’re not bad at making decisions. You’re just overloaded.

Because, when your brain is hit with too many options and not enough mental space, it freezes. That’s what choice overload feels like.

❌ You don’t move forward

❌ You scroll longer

❌ You ask for more opinions than you need

❌ You delay what matters because you’re afraid of picking the “wrong” thing

❌ And even when you finally decide, you’re still stuck wondering:

"What if the other one was better?"

By now you must be thinking, “Adete, what exactly are you trying to say?”

So, let me make this super simple for you.

Imagine walking into a store that has an option of just 3 chocolates.

You pick one, eat it, enjoy it, and move on.

Now imagine that same store with 25 varieties of chocolates.

You pick one again, but this time, even while eating it, you’re thinking about the other 24.

That’s what decision paralysis feels like in daily life.

And this doesn’t end here. It shows up when choosing your career, saying yes to someone, picking a post to share, or deciding what’s next.

So how do you step out of this exhausting loop?

Thankfully, you don’t need another productivity hack or decision-making matrix to step out of this loop. What you really need is emotional clarity and permission to choose, without trying to get everything “right.”

And here’s how I’ve been learning to approach decisions from a place of ease, not anxiety:

➡️ Limit your options intentionally

Let’s start small. Create fewer choices to begin with. Instead of opening 20 tabs, pick 3 paths that feel aligned. Instead of talking to 10 people, check in with your own values first.

You are not restricting yourself when you do this. You are rather, removing the noise so you can finally hear your own voice again.

➡️ Stop chasing the “perfect” choice

You need to stop treating every decision like a life-defining event. Understand that every option comes with its own set of pros and cons. That’s just the nature of reality.

So instead of asking "what's perfect?", ask:

"What feels honest for me in this moment?"

That answer may not be flashy or exciting, but it will be yours. And that’s what makes it satisfactory.

➡️ Take ownership after the choice

Most of your regret doesn’t come from the decision itself. It comes from staying emotionally disconnected after the choice is made.

So, when you choose something, try to commit fully. Stop checking what other people are doing.

Give yourself permission to be here, not in all the other “what if” worlds that your mind creates.

➡️ Let regret breathe, but don’t let it lead

Here’s a truth I’ve often sit with, when making a choice:

Sometimes, even good choices come with grief.

Regret isn’t always a sign you made the wrong move. Sometimes, it’s just a sign that you let go of something important knowing that it wasn’t meant for you.

You don’t have to erase regret to move forward. You just have to stop giving it the steering wheel of your emotional life.

If you’ve been stuck overthinking, waiting for the “right” decision, I want you to take a pause. Breathe.

You’re not broken. You’re just carrying too much.

There’s no perfect choice. Only the one that feels honest today and that’s enough.

You already have the wisdom. Now trust yourself enough to use it.

I’m with you. Always.

And if you’re wrestling with a decision right now, just hit reply. I’d love to hear what’s on your mind.