Decision-making Fatigue- The Struggle is Real

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10 Tips to Reduce Decision-Making Fatigue for Busy Working Moms

Last week, I was working on my laptop before the kids came downstairs in the morning. As soon as they came downstairs, my heart filled with joy and I felt so excited to see them and spend time with them. But then:

“Momma, how much TV can we have today?”

“Momma, are there chocolate chips in the pancakes?”

“Mom, can I have extra maple syrup?”

“Mom, can I have hot chocolate for breakfast?”

WHOA! That’s a lot to take in. As working moms, we are faced with choices all day long. And the truth is- I can support my kids in becoming more independent with a breakfast routine, but the questions and choices are still going to come at me. There have been times I’ve become irrationally frustrated with a 2pm text from my husband: “Thoughts on dinner?” Or, “let’s get take-out: your choice!!” Well-intended, but it does amplify my mental load. How to manage this?!

The good news? There are ways to simplify your daily life and free up mental energy for what truly matters. I am a work in progress with these, and slowly but surely- they are starting to make a difference. Here are ten practical tips to help reduce decision-making fatigue.

1. Meal Plan Weekly

The “What’s for dinner?” dilemma can be one of the most draining mental parts of the day, as I need to determine what will defrost in time and what will prevent me from stopping at the store unexpectedly. Instead of scrambling for meal ideas every evening, set aside time once a week to plan your family’s meals. Stick to simple, nutritious options and consider theme nights like Taco Tuesday or Pasta Wednesday to take even more guesswork out of the process. I love to cook, and love trying new recipes, and have resisted repeat meals for a long time. But- it works. It takes so much guess work out of my week. Prepping ingredients ahead of time can also make cooking a breeze. For example, most of my recipes call for chopped onion- I’ll chop two early in the week, which saves time (and truthfully, my eye makeup) later in the week.

2. Create a Capsule Wardrobe

A closet overflowing with choices can make getting dressed stressful. Streamline your wardrobe with versatile, mix-and-match essentials to make outfit decisions effortless. Do the same for your kids—simplifying their clothing options can reduce morning outfit battles and make life easier for everyone. I’ve been working on eliminating the clothes that I just don’t feel great in, and am doing the same for my kids. Once I find something that I like (take this easy work shirt, for example), I buy a couple in different colors.

3. Automate Routine Decisions

Set up auto-pay for bills, recurring grocery deliveries, and regular appointment scheduling. The fewer daily decisions you need to make, the more mental space you’ll have for what truly requires your attention.

4. Set a Weekly Family Schedule

At the start of each week, map out your family’s commitments—work meetings, school activities, appointments, and extracurriculars. A visual calendar (digital or physical) keeps everyone on the same page, reducing last-minute surprises and decision overload. We use a wipe board on our fridge, which also indicates whether my husband or I will be driving to the appointment/practice/game, and who is in charge of dinner.

5. Use the “Two-Option” Rule for Kids

Kids ask a million questions a day, many of which require decisions. Instead of giving open-ended choices, simplify by offering two options: “Would you like an apple or a banana?” “Do you want to wear the red shirt or the blue one?” This empowers them while keeping decision-making easy for you.

6. Establish Morning & Evening Routines

Routines eliminate the need for unnecessary decisions. Set up structured morning and evening habits—lay out clothes, pack lunches, and prep bags the night before to ensure smoother mornings. I think mornings are crazy for most working parents with kids; and my older son has ADHD which has presented unique challenges to our morning routine. I’ll speak more to that in a later entry,

Evening wind-down routines help everyone (including you!) transition to restful sleep. My sons are 7 and 10; I still aim for everyone to be upstairs and quiet by 7:30 (in truth, this ends up being 8:00). This gives me time alone, and while some nights they don’t go right to sleep, they enjoy alone time building Lego’s, coloring, reading or writing.

7. Declutter & Organize

Clutter isn’t just physical—it’s mental, too. Too many choices in your pantry, toy bins, or even your email inbox can contribute to decision fatigue. Regularly declutter these spaces and keep only what you use and love to simplify daily choices. I take 30 minutes per weekend, and have a list of my clutter areas.

8. Set Boundaries Around Decisions

Not all decisions require your immediate attention. Set clear boundaries around work emails, social commitments, and household tasks. Limit checking emails to certain times, say no to unnecessary obligations, and establish household roles so decision-making isn’t all on you. Most days, I turn my work email off when I arrive to pick up my kids, and keep it off until the next morning. While I will occasionally check email in the evenings, I instead try to focus any post-kids-bedtime work time on projects that are more time sensitive.

9. Use Decision-Making Shortcuts

When faced with a decision, ask yourself: “Will this matter in a year?” or “What would I tell a friend to do?” Quick decision-making frameworks help eliminate overthinking and keep you moving forward.

10. Embrace “Good Enough”

Perfectionism is the enemy of efficiency. Not every decision needs to be perfect—sometimes, good enough is all you need. Whether it’s dinner, housework, or parenting, letting go of perfection and focusing on what’s practical and sustainable will ease your mental load.

Final Thoughts

By reducing the number of decisions you need to make daily, you free up energy for what truly matters—quality time with your family, self-care, and your own personal goals. Implementing even a few of these strategies can make a big difference in reducing stress and bringing more ease into your busy life.

What strategies have helped you cut down on decision fatigue? Share your thoughts in the comments!