Does anyone else suffer from decision paralysis?
By Sarah Becker
I have a genuine inability to choose between two things. Not in a cute, “ooh I’m so indecisive” kind of way either. I mean full-blown psychological paralysis. If life gives me two options, my brain simply goes: absolutely not.
Most people compare products and eventually pick one. I compare products and somehow convince myself the only logical solution is to buy both.
That’s why I currently own:
- two pairs of trainers,
- two laptops,
- and two phones.
Not because I’m rich. Not because I’m organised. Not because I need backups in case civilisation collapses.
Just because I cannot make a decision like a normal adult.
Every purchase follows the exact same pattern. I’ll spend three weeks researching. I’ll watch seventeen YouTube reviews from men named Josh speaking in dimly lit bedrooms. I’ll read comparison articles written by people who use phrases like “punches above its weight”. I’ll narrow it down from 46 options to two.
And then? Complete emotional collapse.
Because suddenly both choices become equally important.
One pair of trainers is more comfortable, but the other one is a better colour. One laptop has better battery life, but the other has a nicer keyboard. One phone has a better camera, but the other one “feels premium,” whatever that means.
So instead of deciding like a sensible person, I panic-buy both and tell myself:
“Well… now I can compare properly.”
I can’t. I just end up using one while the other sits there judging me financially.
The worst one was buying a car.
I spent months looking at cars. HOURS. I knew engine sizes, trim levels, fuel economy stats — I basically became a part-time mechanic against my will. Eventually, after all that research, it came down to two choices:
a Honda Jazz and a Ford.
Classic me.
I stood there incapable of making the final decision while my poor dad slowly lost the will to live beside me. I was doing laps around the dealership like I was choosing a child from an orphanage.
“Well the Honda is reliable… but the Ford feels nice to drive and looks cooler… but the Honda has more boot space… but the Ford has heated seats…”
At one point I genuinely think my dad considered leaving me there.
Eventually he snapped and said:
“If you don’t choose tonight, then that’s it. You’re not getting either.”
Honestly, nothing motivates an indecisive person like the threat of having zero options.
So I panicked and picked one in the most mature way possible:
completely at random and with the stress levels of someone defusing a bomb.
The stupid thing is, even after buying something, I still think about the other option. Years later I’ll see someone driving the car I didn’t choose and think:
“That could’ve been us.”
This even spills over into choosing which events to go to. God help me if I’m invited to three events on the same day. The fear of making the wrong decision sends me chasing my tail in a frenzy, trying to make it to all three.
I don’t know why I’m like this. Maybe I just can’t cope with shutting down possibilities. Maybe I’m convinced the other option secretly contains the key to happiness. Or maybe I’m just weak in the presence of good marketing.
Either way, if anyone ever sees me buying one thing confidently and without hesitation, check on me immediately because I’m clearly unwell.