What does your decision making process look like?

[EveHarrington]

I am notoriously indecisive to the point where it *can* drive other people nuts. (Fortunately it doesn’t drive my boyfriend nuts, lol.)

I fear making the wrong choice.

I get overwhelmed when I have too many options. This is part of why I’m glad that I’m on a restricted diet as it makes dining out less stressful as my options are limited. I drive out of my way just to go to small grocery stores. (Aldi is awesome with only 3 aisles, lol.)

When my mind is calm(er) it is easier for me to make a decision.

But still, I am faced with making bigger life decisions as my healing progresses, and the options are becoming more varied.

I’m just curious how others work through making important decisions.

Just writing this makes me realize I should only be making important decisions when in “wise mind” (DBT concept), and when I’m not in wise mind I should be focusing on stabilizing.

Thanks!

 

[Skywatcher]

I can’t make decisions. My process is to loop the outfit or gift or vacation plan in my head over and over to the point that I just give up and leave. I did solve Restraunt decisions by telling the other people where I don’t want to eat. I’m pretty open to everything else. When I do make decisions: in my mind, it is final and I can take a deep breath and feel a sense of relief.

 

[Gs172003]

Depends on the decision but overall I suck at it. I tend to throw it back to my husband :(

 

[Kubash16]

For big stuff I make pros and cons lists and for everything, just listen to my initial gut instinct. Wrong a lot of the time, but then I know better for the next time.

 

[Sideways]

I ask for input/advice. Big decisions and small ones.

 

[Ronin]

Depends entirely what it is, when, with whom, for who, why.

The worst decisions I made were split second, reflexive, would swear there was not much deciding involved.

Current? Letting people I trust, or in that area trust, decide for me.
Or refusing to decide, altogether, if I have no one to confer that on. Until I figure out how to ask, and who. Because I am still quite able to do decisions nuking lives, well. Not so much the normal life ones I need more.

 

[Karolina12]

I get overwhelmed with many decisions. I’m starting to notice when I get frustrated and overwhelmed and am learning to take a step back and let other drive or I come back to it.

I often struggle being in wise mind and flip back and forth between emotion and reason. What I do in that scenario is give it a bit of time and let the thought and the instinct build on each other (e.g., I like this, this is a good value because xyz, I dislike that, if x then y, etc.) In the end I feel good about it and I have some data that backs it up. In some ways this seems more thorough than wise mind!! (If inefficient!)

 

[Keming]

Do I want it, y/n
IF "y", THEN "And I deserve nice things"
Can I afford it? y/n
IF "y" THEN "purchase"
IF "n" THEN "re-table next month"

 

[Fadeaway]

I over analyze, then analyze some more until I am frozen into indecisiveness then let the universe decide for me then turn around and wonder why I have bad luck. *bang head*

 

[TruthSeeker]

I am notoriously indecisive to the point where it *can* drive other people nuts. (Fortunately it doesn’t drive my boyfriend nuts, lol.)

I fear making the wrong choice.

I get overwhelmed when I have too many options. This is part of why I’m glad that I’m on a restricted diet as it makes dining out less stressful as my options are limited. I drive out of my way just to go to small grocery stores. (Aldi is awesome with only 3 aisles, lol.)

When my mind is calm(er) it is easier for me to make a decision.

But still, I am faced with making bigger life decisions as my healing progresses, and the options are becoming more varied.

I’m just curious how others work through making important decisions.

Just writing this makes me realize I should only be making important decisions when in “wise mind” (DBT concept), and when I’m not in wise mind I should be focusing on stabilizing.

Thanks!

When I have 2 choices that are equal in weight- I flip a coin- or use coin toss app.

I make a list of things to do the next day. I write this list the night before- organizing on paper helps w sleep- not dwelling on things I’m afraid I’ll forget to do or decide upon the next day. When I am procrastinating over my next days list, I pick two top priorities- flip, this works great for minor problems or minor decisions- like choc protein shake vs a low cal salad.

When I have several pros and cons to a decision, I write them out on paper- helps to decide more logically.

I also put reward options on my list and a time I get them. If I don’t get the majority of the things done and opt for something nonproductive, then I get no personal reward. ( Rewards are low stress, highly motivating and fun/relaxing).

I make my bed daily. If I’m hearing the call of the bed, and I’m ready to pull back the covers, climb in, curl up, forget daily plan(list) and sleep, no reward for that behavior- no TV in bed, no computer, or no motivating reward for having gotten stuff accomplished.

So- self reward is how I accomplish stuff.

 

[TruthSeeker]

Correction- no reward for not having accomplished the things on the list.
Plus- I’m learning most decisions aren’t critical and I can always change my mind. Go w your gut!

 

[mourning.starre]

My decision making process is really not a process. Sometimes I do things and sometimes I don't. I usually wait for instructions from my grandparents because if I don't on a bad day I end up with spoiled milk in the cupboard and chocolate milk power in the fridge :)

When I am anxious, afraid, stressed, or depressed my mind goes blank. Its like I am an empty shell. I have no idea what I am doing and sometimes I miss minutes of my life and have no clue what I had done to deserve the looks I am receiving. Its awful.

I was okay for a really long time. I don't think anything triggered me at all, but now I am really really struggling again. I guess it comes in phases, right? Usually I'm fine for a long time and then out of nowhere I will be in the dumps for a few weeks then I'll be fine again. Its been months this time and nothing is getting better...