Ever felt mentally stuck like you’re standing at a the intersection of “what to do?” and “where to start?” Instead of picking one, you sit on the couch and start scrolling on your phone.
Been there. Recently, I walked into a room and completely forgot why I walked in there knowing I had something important to do—but my brain was malfunctioning like, nope 🙂↔️. Turns out, I had too much running in the background. Like a phone with 800 apps open, my mind was overloaded.
We’ve all been there, right?! So many choices, so many things you should be doing, and yet…nothing gets done. Instead, you zone out, doom-scroll, or suddenly decide now is the perfect time to reorganize your sock drawer. Sound familiar?
Here’s the thing
It’s not because you’re lazy, unmotivated, or “bad at adulting.” It’s because your brain is overloaded with decisions 🥴.
Your brain is not a storage unit. It’s not meant to hold every reminder, task, and stressor all at once. And when we try to juggle it all, we end up overwhelmed, exhausted, and stuck in mental quicksand 🫠.
What’s Actually Happening?
Your brain is like a battery. The more decision you try to make, you’re draining your brain’s battery of its power each time . When you finally get to the important stuff (finally starting that project, choosing a workout, or planning your week), your mental energy is tapped out 😵💫.
So instead of deciding anything, your brain hits pause. it’s not because you don’t want to move forward, but because your brain literally can’t handle another choice in that moment.
Let Systems Make the Decisions for You
What if you didn’t have to think so hard?
The secret: Systems make decisions for you.
And no, I’m not talking about color-coded planners and file folders or an inbox at zero (but if that’s your thing, go for it). I’m talking about simple shifts that help your mind breathe.
Think about it. If every morning you waste time deciding what to wear, what to eat, or when to work out, that’s too many decisions living rent free in your brain. But if you have tiny defaults in place, like always meal-prepping on Sundays (it doesn’t have to be a full production) or setting out your clothes the night before, you eliminate that struggle. One less thing to overload you in the moment. Get the kiddos involved and make a game out of it to keep things light and fun.
Instead of trying to remember everything, dump it into a Notes app, task management (or reminders) app, or a journal. Instead of stressing over every decision, set small, automatic rules—like always prepping your meds for the week on Sundays or have 1-2 backup breakfast options when the littles don’t want the awesome breakfast you made for them. These tiny tweaks give your brain less to process and more space to actually think.
How to Declutter Your Brain (Without Losing Your Mind)
✅ Step 1: Brain Dump – Write down everything you’re carrying mentally. No filter. No organizing/formatting. Just get it out. Use voice memos to talk it out as you’re thinking it.
✅ Step 2: Identify the Noise – Cross out the things you don’t actually need to deal with right now. Spoiler: some of it isn’t even your responsibility. Delegate that sh*t. 😂
✅ Step 3: Create a Mental Shortcut – Set up small automations that make your brain’s job easier. Think: using a grocery list app instead of remembering everything (yell at Alexa or Siri to add items to the “shopping list”), or pick 3-days out of the week for “laundry day” so you don’t have to stress about doing laundry everyday (plus, it’ll save on your water bill 😉).
✅ Step 4: Identify ONE area where decision fatigue is tripping you up. Is it choosing meals? Sticking to a routine? Deciding what to focus on first? Do you need to ask for help with one of the routines?
✅ Create a tiny default to make it easier. Example: If picking a workout is exhausting, choose a “default move” (like a 10-minute walk) so you don’t have to think about it.
Notice how much brain space you get back. When small decisions are on autopilot, your mind is free to focus on the big things.
You Got This!
If today’s win is just recognizing what’s keeping you stuck, that’s already a step in the right direction. Imagine how much easier life could feel with a few well-placed defaults to take the pressure off your brain.
Your brain deserves a break. If you’ve been feeling mentally overloaded, try this process. And if you need a little extra help simplifying your daily chaos, check out my Your First Life System Guide. It’s free and might be just what you need.
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