Do you ever tire of having to figure things out?
I watched a recent advertisement from Microsoft that claims the average person makes up to 35,000 daily decisions, and several online sources confirm that data. That number may seem high, but it may not be too far off when you think about all the daily choices you are faced with, from easy to complex. Here are just a few of the things you might need to choose over any given day:
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What to wear
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Which chores to fit in before leaving for work in the morning
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What to make for dinner
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The best elder care option for your parents
The more decisions you need to make, the more tired you get. Experts call this “decision fatigue,” the mental weariness from making too many decisions.
Our minds search for the fastest solution to make sense of our world. When too much is going on, our brains must spend extra energy, which causes mental fatigue.
When you’re making decisions all day, every day, your mental exhaustion means that your mental tank is empty. Once your brain is worn out from making decisions, you’ll drift toward mindless behaviors like internet scrolling or television. You have no concentration or focus, even if you want to pray or engage with the Bible. That robs you of the strength, peace, and guidance God has to give you.
To break the stress habit of too much stuff and to fight decision fatigue, you have to develop a new path forward and you need God power to stay on that path.
In my Stronger Than Stress book and Bible study, one of the spiritual practices is SIMPLICITY. The goal of spiritual simplicity isn’t to strip your life down to one cup, one plate, one kind of shampoo, or a single pair of shoes. The practice of simplicity is making decisions through the filter of contentment so that your decisions do not distract you or disrupt your connection with God.
The apostle Paul identifies the goal of the practice of simplicity:
I was not ever in need, but I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:11–13)
Can you say that this is true for you? Contentment in God at all times and in all circumstances is vital to practicing simplicity. Some of us buy up more than we need because we’re discontent with our lives. I have compassion for the complex, overwhelming situations that you’re in. However, buying more will never make you happier. Only God can fulfill the deep need that you’re grappling with today.
REFLECTION TIME: Are you struggling with decision fatigue?
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What are the decisions that tire you out the most during the day?
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How many of your decisions are because you own more than you can manage? (For example: clothes, brands of cereals, shampoo, etc).
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Is there a possession that you would be angry at God if that item went away? (This question points to potential idols in your life.)
If this is a topic that pricks your heart, then I encourage you to lean into developing the spiritual practice of simplicity. Again, this isn’t about God asking you to give up everything you own. But, God doesn’t want what you have to own you. He desires for you to have mental space to focus on Him so that He can give you what you need..
In the meantime, here are five practical ideas to help you move toward simplicity:
Do you have too many clothes? Create a capsule wardrobe comprising five shirts, five pairs of pants, five layering pieces (e.g., sweaters, blazers, vests), five pairs of shoes, and five dresses. (You can also create a capsule wardrobe for your kids to cut down on laundry.)
Do you have too much clutter in your bathroom or kitchen? Establish a maximum number of household items that tend to get out of control, such as cereal brands, hair care products, streaming subscriptions, and televisions.
Do you hate figuring out what’s for dinner? Create and alternate two weekly menus to simplify shopping and dinner choices.
Are you addicted to buying stuff? Institute a one-year fast from purchasing things that you already have too much of, such as body lotions, certain clothing items, and supplies for crafting or other hobbies.
Want to challenge yourself to declutter regularly? Once a month, eliminate or donate the number of items equaling the number of days in that month. (This is the one that I’m doing over Labor Day weekend!)
Some content from today’s post was excerpted from the “Decluttering the Yeses” chapter of my Stronger than Stress Book. If you haven’t read that chapter, it contains a lot of spiritual instruction and insights—check it out!
I’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU: Which parts resonated with you? Where are you suffering from decision fatigue? Which one of the simplicity tips is helpful for you?
Have a great week!
