How many decisions do you make each day? I bet it’s more than you think! No wonder your brain feels increasingly more tired as the day goes on. Here are 10 simple ways to reduce decision fatigue in your daily life so you have more bandwidth and energy to enjoy your day to the full!
DO YOU SUFFER FROM DECISION FATIGUE?
I used to think that I was tired in the evening mostly because of the physical exertion of my day. I like to walk so I walk a lot. But, actually, it turned out that my weariness was also mental tiredness. My brain was worn out just like my body. Too many things to remember, think about and decide upon.
Have YOU ever felt completely worn out by the end of the day, not because of anything major, but because of all the little decisions you’ve had to make? That’s decision fatigue. It’s that mental tiredness that builds up when we’re constantly choosing between options—what to wear, what to cook, which email to answer first, whether to go for a walk or fold the laundry. It adds up. And it can leave us feeling overwhelmed, scattered, and just plain exhausted.
The good news is that we can ease the burden. By making a few simple changes, we can reduce the number of decisions we face each day—and find more calm, focus, and breathing room in the process.
WHAT IS DECISION FATIGUE?
Decision fatigue is the mental exhaustion that builds up from making too many decisions throughout the day.
It’s why you might feel tired, irritable, or indecisive by the evening—even if the day hasn’t been especially hard. Every choice, from what to eat to which emails to reply to, uses up mental energy. By simplifying and reducing those decisions, you can reclaim clarity, focus, and calm.
10 WAYS TO REDUCE DECISION FATIGUE IN YOUR DAILY LIFE
Here are 10 ways I’ve been simplifying my own days to reduce decision fatigue, and perhaps they’ll help you too.
1. Create a Simple Meal Routine
Trying to decide what to cook every day can be draining. I used to get stuck in the “what’s for dinner?” cycle every afternoon, especially with hungry kids asking at 4:30pm. Now, I’ve simplified mealtimes by sticking with our family favourites during busy weeks—things like pasta, baked potatoes, stir fry, or a simple roast where everything goes in the oven and does its magic.
I don’t try to be creative every night. In fact, this week I decided to only make familiar meals, nothing new and nothing complicated. I also started deciding what’s for dinner by 8am each morning and popping it in our family WhatsApp group so everyone knows what it is and what time we’re eating. That one little change has taken a weight off my shoulders.
Action tip: Choose 5–7 go-to meals that your family enjoys and rotate them. Write them on a whiteboard, in your planner, or in a group message—just decide ahead of time and stick to it.
2. Embrace a Daily Uniform
Mornings are smoother now that I don’t stand in front of my wardrobe wondering what to wear. I’ve adopted a kind of personal uniform—jeans, a comfy top, and a sweatshirt. I have the same pieces in different colours, so I already know they fit well and feel good. It’s one less decision each day and gives me a little sense of control and ease before the day has even started.
Action tip: Try narrowing your wardrobe to your favourites and simplify your choices by sticking to a few go-to outfits that always work. Read this article for more about creating your own personal uniform.
3. Plan Tomorrow Today
I end most days by jotting down a few things I need or want to do the next day. It takes less than five minutes but helps me wake up with purpose. No more wasting time in the morning trying to remember what I was meant to do. Just a little note that says “call GP, change the bedsheets, prep dinner” can make the whole day feel more manageable.
Action tip: Each evening, spend five minutes planning tomorrow—whether in a notebook, planner, or your phone.
4. Set a Morning Routine That Feels Gentle
Instead of jumping into decision-making first thing, I now start my mornings more slowly. A cup of tea, a quiet moment before everyone else is up, sometimes just stretching or writing a few thoughts in my journal. It sets the tone and helps me gather myself before diving into all the choices the day brings.
Action tip: Pick 2–3 things you enjoy doing first thing and create a gentle routine to ease into your day—no big decisions required. Do these things before you do anything else, including checking your phone!
5. Batch Similar Tasks Together
I’ve started grouping similar tasks together so I’m not flitting between emails, cleaning, phone calls, and writing all at once. I’ll answer messages in one go, do house chores in one block, and write content for my blog in another. It saves my brain from constant switching, which can be surprisingly tiring.
Action tip: Look at your To Do list and batch similar tasks together—admin, cleaning, errands—and do them in one go.
6. Automate Small Decisions Where You Can
We get to decide how many decisions we make—and one way to reduce them is through automation. I’ve set up regular grocery deliveries with the same basics each week, and I’ve automated savings to go out the day after payday. These are small things, but they remove repeat decisions from my plate.
Action tip: Choose one thing to automate—groceries, bill payments, reminders—and set it up to save yourself mental energy.
7. Limit Your To Do List
It’s tempting to write down everything you want to get done in a day, but I’ve learnt that having a shorter list is more helpful—and more realistic. I now aim for a “Top 3” each day: three tasks that will genuinely move me forward. If I do more, that’s a bonus.
Action tip: Start each day with just 3 main tasks. Focus on finishing those, and let go of the pressure to do it all. Here are some tips on writing a great To Do list.
8. Use Defaults and Routines
Creating set routines for things I do often—like Sunday evening planning or Tuesday laundry—means I don’t have to rethink them each week. I even have a list on my phone for our weekly house clean so I don’t need to wonder what needs doing. The more default decisions you can make, the more headspace you save.
Action tip: Identify tasks you repeat often and create a regular routine for them so they become automatic. Here are some easy clutter-busting daily routines you could try.
9. Reduce Clutter in Your Environment
Too much visual clutter leads to mental clutter. When my work surface or kitchen counter is clear, I feel calmer and more focused. Decluttering is a maintenance task, not just a do-it-once-and-you’re-done kind of job. I’ve been working room by room with my Clear Your Clutter workbook to let go of things that add to the noise. The less stuff I see, the fewer decisions I feel I need to make.
Action tip: Pick one small surface today—like your desk or kitchen counter—and clear it completely. Notice how it makes you feel.
10. Simplify Your Choices
Too many choices = too much thinking. Whether it’s streaming platforms to watch your favourite series, snack options, or weekend plans, I’ve started giving myself fewer choices upfront. For example, when I plan our family activities, I pick two options and ask, “Would you prefer this or that?” It saves me the mental strain of evaluating everything.
Action tip: When faced with too many options, limit your choices to two or three. Decide quickly and move on.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Here are some common questions I thought it might be helpful to answer:
1. Why do I feel so tired even when I haven’t done much?
It might be decision fatigue. Every little choice adds up and drains your energy, even if you haven’t been physically active.
2. What’s the difference between being busy and having decision fatigue?
Busyness is about doing lots of things; decision fatigue is about making lots of choices. You can feel tired without doing much simply from the weight of too many decisions.
3. How can I start reducing decision fatigue today?
Start small—choose your dinner by 8am, simplify your wardrobe, or create a short morning routine. The key is to reduce repetitive decisions and build in ease wherever you can.
MAKE IT EASIER WITH HABITS, ROUTINES AND SMALL SHIFTS
One of the most powerful ways I’ve found to reduce decision fatigue is to lean into easy time management strategies, habits and routines. When something becomes a habit, it’s no longer a decision—it’s just something you do. That means less mental effort, less faffing about, and more space in your day for what really matters.
For example, I always tidy the kitchen after dinner—not because I love it, but because it’s become second nature. I don’t debate whether to do it. I just pop on a podcast and get it done. It makes the next morning easier, too—no waking up to dirty plates or missing lunchboxes.
Another habit I’ve found really helpful is prepping my clothes the night before. It takes all of 90 seconds to pop a sweatshirt and jeans over a chair in my room. But it means one less thing to think about during the morning rush.
I’ve learned that small shifts add up. You don’t have to overhaul your life overnight. It might be deciding once a week what meals you’ll cook, or setting a “get ready for bed” alarm on your phone. These little actions are manageable, realistic, and build momentum.
COULD THE SIMPLE LIVING GUIDE AND WORKBOOK HELP YOU?
If you’re looking for more ideas and encouragement, why not check out the Simple Living Guide and Workbook? It’s packed full of small shifts for a calmer, less cluttered life – all in small, simple and easy little actions.
Click here to learn more about the Simple Living Guide and Workbook.
Start small. Stick with it. And let those simple habits do the heavy lifting for you.
GET YOUR FREE PRINTABLE
Why not start by creating some habits for your week ahead? Use my free Habit Tracker Printable to help you decide and track your progress? Pop your details in the box below.
Antonia Colins is the creator of Balance Through Simplicity, a website helping busy people declutter their home and life and live more intentionally. She has over 20 years of personal and professional experience in juggling work and family life and supporting individuals to remain independent and enjoy their home more. In her spare time, you can find Antonia walking, reading or planning her next travel adventure! She lives in the UK with her husband and teenage kids. Get your free Declutter Starter Kit.