Feeling overwhelmed by endless to-do lists and decision fatigue? Discover how simplifying daily choices can help reduce stress, boost focus, and bring peace to your modern life.
The Spoon That Broke the Yogi
The other day, I spent 17 minutes—yes, I timed it—deciding which spoon to use for my breakfast oats. Not because I’m a five-star chef or cutlery connoisseur, but because one spoon was too big, the other felt too bendy, and the third just didn’t vibe.
By the time I sat down to eat, my oats were colder than my ex’s last message.
And that, my friend, was the morning I realised something profound: we are drowning in decisions. Small ones. Pointless ones. Ones that suck the joy out of mornings and the clarity out of our minds.
Call it choice fatigue. Call it mental clutter. I call it “death by teaspoons”.
When Life Was Simple, and So Were We
I remember being 10. My wardrobe was two T-shirts, a half-torn denim short, and my dad’s banyan I wore when I felt “grown up.”
Mornings were easy. Wake up. Wash face. Wear what’s clean. Done. No skincare routine. No endless scrolling for inspiration. No influencer screaming, “Your morning routine decides your net worth!”
Flash forward to now:
We’ve got apps to track our water intake, mood rings disguised as watches, and 23 tabs open—not on our laptops, in our brains.
The problem? We think more choice = more control. But really, more choice = more confusion.
The Mental Diet: Less is Peace
Here’s the spiritual mic-drop moment:
Simplifying your choices is not laziness. It’s leadership.
Leadership over your mind. Over your time. Over your energy.
Buddha didn’t wear saffron robes because he was starting a fashion line. He wore them because they removed choice. One robe. One bowl. One focus.
Steve Jobs wore the same black turtleneck every day.
Monks eat the same kitchari for lunch.
Athletes follow the same morning routines.
Why?
Because decisions cost energy. And peace is expensive.
So, if you’re stressed, anxious, or feel like a cracked pressure cooker about to explode, here’s the bitter truth:
It’s not your life that’s too hard.
It’s your decisions that are too many.
The 5-Minute Fixes That Changed My Day
The 3-Outfit Rule
I kept three go-to outfits for work, travel, and home. That’s it. Rest went to the donation pile. No more fashion paralysis.
Meal Prepping Like a Monk
Every Sunday, I prep my breakfast and lunch for the week. Oats + Veggies + Rice = Freedom. No “What should I eat today?” panic at 1:30 PM.
Single-Tasking, Baby
No more juggling 14 apps. One task at a time. That’s my mantra. I even stuck a Post-it on my laptop: “Multitasking is a myth. Monkeys do that. Be a monk.”
The ‘Hell Yes or No’ Rule
Every time I get invited or asked something, I ask myself, “Is this a hell yes?”
If not—guess what? It’s a no. No explanations needed.
Digital Declutter Ritual
I keep only 6 apps on my phone. I answer DMs twice a day. Rest of the time? The phone sleeps in another room like a naughty child on timeout.
Real-Life Isn’t Pinterest Perfect (And That’s Okay)
Look, I’m not asking you to move to the Himalayas and live off barley. But you can start small:
- Fewer clothes
- Fewer apps
- Fewer to-dos
- Fewer damn spoons
Simplification isn’t about stripping joy—it’s about cutting out noise so you can hear it.
You don’t need a productivity guru shouting in your ears. You need you—awake, aware, and aligned.
A Quiet Mind Makes Bolder Moves
When you cut the clutter, something magical happens.
You begin to notice life.
The smell of agarbatti in the morning.
The warmth of chai on your palms.
The smile of the grocery uncle when you actually look up from your phone.
A simplified life gives you the superpower of attention. And in this distracted world, that’s rare.
So, What Can You Do Today?
Let’s make it stupidly simple:
Step 1: Clean one drawer.
Step 2: Choose one meal you’ll eat all week.
Step 3: Wear your favorite outfit on loop.
Step 4: Say “no” to something you don’t want to do.
Step 5: Smile. Because you just bought back your peace.
Closing Note from the Corner of My Floor Mattress
I wrote this while sitting cross-legged on a thin mattress, one cup of ginger tea by my side, and no background music.
And you know what?
It felt damn good.
Because when we simplify, we create space.
And in that space, we meet our truest selves.
Not the hustler. Not the overthinker. Just… you.
Now go toss those extra 14 hair serums. You’re glowing already.
Next post brewing: “Why You’re Spiritually Constipated (And How To Meditate Without Faking It)”
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Internal Links Suggestions:
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