Decision making is part of all our lives. Some of us (not me) can make up their minds fast and others (me) need time to deliberate and think about all their options. Some (Brad) stick to their choice and some (me) wobble back and forth to make sure it is the best one.
Since we have become empty nesters though and it is just "us", Brad has become an over-consulter in his personal life because of "decision fatigue" . Professionally he can make a decision in no time but when he is home .......
What is an over consulter?? What is decision fatigue?
Over-consulting happens for a variety of reasons. One is to spare self (Brad) from making final decision. He will ask me over and over the same questions which leads to him over-consulting. He says does this because he wants to make sure I am happy. But I think it is to take the pressure off him because he already knows what he wants to do (or wear) any way.
As empty nesters, Brad and I have decided to simplify our lives whether that means minimalizing our "physical" or "mental" space. And Brad has decided that making decisions related to his home life has caused decision fatigue. Therefore, I have taken it upon myself to help Brad and his fight against decision fatigue.
From this day forward, all decisions will be made by me (Brad says this will be no different) but hey then he can't over-consult or use decision fatigue has an excuse. I will let you know how this turns out for us ( I mean Brad.)
To further prove my point, Brad, Drew and I recently went to Disney World. All decisions were made for him. We even surprised him with a concert by one of his favorites.
By the way, I had never even heard the term over-consulting or decision fatigue, until one day I was listening to the Happier Podcast by Gretchen Rubin.
I love that podcast. It really makes me think about how to make my life better. But Brad says it gives me too many projects and/or ideas.
Happy Empty Nesting!!
PS The first two people who correctly tell me the band (its trickier than you think) playing will get a $5 Starbucks gift card.