Which Path Should I Take? An Ode to the Indecisive Girlies

Ever asked a girl what she wants to eat? I bet the answer was something like, “I don’t know.” I’m the queen of saying, “I’m down for wherever!” or in other words, “Please just pick for me, don’t make me choose.” My nightmare is having friends rely on me for which places to go, what food to eat, or worse, picking the music for a large group of people. For some reason, the pressure of making a choice has always left me in a perpetual state of “I don’t know.” I tell myself I can see both sides, all the gray areas, but is that really true?

For many people, making decisions is like being presented with a life-or-death decision. The different paths we can take, from what food we should eat for lunch to what we should do with our lives, are limitless and can sometimes dictate the course of our futures. Coming from an indecisive girly myself, this can leave me feeling stuck, overwhelmed, burnt out, or even procrastinating in order to avoid deciding at all. That got me wondering: what’s the science behind indecision, and how can we FINALLY make a choice?

According to studies and Google, here’s the psychology behind this:

1. Limited cognitive resources: Our brains have a finite capacity for making decisions. As we make choices throughout the day, this capacity gradually diminishes, leaving us more vulnerable to fatigue and poor decision-making. Poor sleep and glucose levels can make this worse.

2. Fear of regret: The fear of regret can paralyze us, hindering us from moving forward. We become so concerned about making the wrong choice that we avoid it altogether.

3. The paradox of choice: Psychologist Barry Schwartz coined the term "the paradox of choice," which suggests that having too many options can lead to dissatisfaction and decision paralysis. The more choices available, the harder it becomes to decide. This is especially true in our culture of instant gratification and social media consumerism. We are presented with an overload of options, which can make it challenging to pick one.

4. Lack of self-trust: It’s possible you may have grown up with all your decisions being made for you by either a parent, caretaker, or someone you trust, leading you to be unfamiliar with practicing self-authority.

By understanding the psychology behind this common phenomenon, we can implement practical strategies to enhance these important skills.

1. Prioritize and simplify: Start by identifying and prioritizing the most important decisions and allocate mental energy to those. When faced with numerous choices, consider eliminating some options upfront, focusing on a select few that align with your goals. See what the consequences are to the choices ahead and weigh out which ones you can live with.

2. Create routines and habits: Streamlining everyday decisions through routines and habits can free up mental energy for more substantial choices. Consolidate your wardrobe, plan your meals in advance, or establish a consistent study routine.

3. Practice mindfulness: Incorporate mindfulness techniques into your daily routine to reduce stress and improve focus. Mindfulness allows you to be present in the decision-making process, enhancing self-awareness and reducing the impact of decision fatigue.

4. Go with your first choice or the one that sparks the most joy. This can help you avoid being disappointed or angry with yourself for not trusting your gut. While it may appear easier to avoid making decisions or letting others choose for you, this will negatively impact you in the long run, and you will stray further and further away from your intuitive and authentic voice.

5. Last resort: Flip a coin! My personal favorite. Seriously, this can help because if you’re disappointed by the answer you get, you know to go with the other option. Vice versa, if you’re glad about the answer you get, then there you go.

At the end of the day, making a decision will lead you to one destination, but so will indecision. There is no perfect answer; it all boils down to trusting yourself. Good luck to all of you. Go out there and choose that lunch spot!

Strike out,

Julia Melo

Boca Raton

Julia Melo is a content writer for Strike Magazine Boca. Born in Brazil and on the same day as Queen B(eyoncé), this Virgo loves anything art, fashion, and nature related. In her free time, you can find her either lost in a good book or hanging out with friends. You can reach her on insta @juliaamelo__ or email juliaamelo99@gmail.com