Just like majority of people I feel exhausted by having to make too many decisions throughout the day. Unfortunately, the world we live in and the speed in which so much happens in short periods of time feels like we are constantly pressurised to make decisions. (Shops with their limited offers are perfect examples of decision fatigue and overwhelm, which affects our mental health as well as our finances. Algorithms on social media, which constantly propose new content.)
In order to limit my exposure to decision fatigue I turned into routines and repetition of an action, or a task. This approach made me realise how refreshing it feels not having to be exposed to too many decisions.
In the process I also discovered that I find comfort in doing the same tasks at the same time or going to familiar places to eat or drink coffee. The habit, routine or repetition, however you want to call it, has become my security blanket that in a way protects me, my mental health and my creativity from all the things in the world, which I can’t control.
Taking the decision element out of the aquation allows me to engage more freely with creativity and creative flow, welcoming the breathing space, which my creativity so longs for.
Finding and cultivating a routine (in my case a routine is a repetition of the same tasks often at the same time) has helped me develop and complete a lot of projects since I started running my creative practice in 2004.
The repetitive tasks, which made up my summer routine helped me slow down enough to hear my writers brain talk in words I could understand.
So, in this week’s summer prompt I invite you to:
- think how many decisions you have to make daily (do this for a day or two). You can write down a number of decisions you need to make or/and include a longer description of what your decisions were.
- check the list. How many decisions did you make that day? What were you deciding on? Could any of those decisions be automated in some way (become a repetition or part of the routine, habit)? For instance: use the same mug for your coffee, have the same breakfast ever morning at more or less at the same time, buy the same, only answer your email in the late afternoon? Experiment for a week with “automating” your decisions and see if that approach has helped you become calmer, your brain less cluttered and more open to creative expression as the time usually devoted to deciding would engage in other activities and tasks and could be devoted to creative expression, resting or just enjoying life.
I would love to hear from you so please do share your experience in the comments below.
Happy Creating,
xx
Magda
About the Author
I work across film, writing, art projects and inclusive education, exploring how we create, sustain and reconnect with creativity. I’m Made By Dyslexia, so expect the occasional typo and a deep commitment to big ideas. If you’re looking for a thoughtful conversation about your own creative practice, I offer slow, sustainable and mindful Creative Practice Review. You can also join me on Patreon for more creativity rooted in reflection, care and sustainability.
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