Decision Fatigue is Real

Picture this: you’re having a fantastic day in the studio. You’re humming with energy and the work seems to practically make itself. Things just come together and the solder goddess (or whatever benign deity you call upon) is with you. All the pieces fit; you feel golden!

Then, because even in your heightened state you’ll eventually need sustenance, or because the kids are coming home, you shift gears to deal with the more mundane tasks of the day. And … POOF! … your mind is totally blank. The artistic genius of five minutes ago can’t even figure out what to make for dinner.

What you don’t realize when when your work has been flowing nicely, is that you have just made hundreds of minute decisions: This word here? What color there? Keep this or delete it? Are these two elements really working together? Red thread or black? If you think about it, you’ll see what I mean.

When you’re staring blankly into the fridge hoping for inspiration, consider that you may be experiencing decision fatigue. There’s nothing wrong, you’re fine. When you exercise vigorously, you’d expect to allow some time for your body to recover; in this case your mind is tired and needs a rest. Consider that you could just give yourself a break and order out.