Joy In The Moment

Make Decisions Easier by Limiting Your Options 

By Joy Pape

In this time of information overload it can be overwhelming to make even simple decisions. Here are some tips to free up your mind and time. Make a decision, stick to it and you will have more time and space and freedom in your life.

Here are two examples where you may put too much time into making simple decisions.

FOOD
We’re told we need more variety in the food we eat. That’s good advice as long as it’s healthy, nutrient dense food. Here are some ways to think about planning and eating so you don’t have to labor over choices. 

Eat about the same thing. Many people eat about the same thing daily, or a similar meal each day and are healthy. They don’t put a lot of time into thinking about it. It’s good to change it up a bit. An example could be eating eggs every day for breakfast. Try changing the way you cook the eggs, and what you have with them. Have scrambled eggs one day with a slice of whole grain toast and/or fruit, or an omelet with veggies and cheese another day. Add sides such as Greek yogurt with berries or cottage cheese and berries. 

Eat by principle. Think this way when meal planning, shopping, and going to restaurants. I recommend my patients plan the meal around protein, add lots of vegetables and have a little carbohydrate at the end of the meal. Or think of the plate method. Using a nine-inch plate fill one-half of the plate with vegetables, one-fourth with protein and one-fourth with carbohydrate (starch). Check out NYC’s My Plate Planner and USDA’s MyPlate for simple information.

Use the Meal Matrix planning system. Some people decide to have the same meal or type of meal a particular day of the week. For example, Meatless Mondays and Taco Tuesdays.

SHOPPING
Whether it be food, clothes or housewares, there are plenty of places and ways to shop, including the internet. 

Choose a few stores. Stick with stores you like and don’t worry about all the comparisons with other places. Taking time to compare eats up your time and takes away the joy time in your mind.

Grocery shopping. Pick a day of the week to go grocery shopping every week. You won’t be found with empty refrigerators and shelves that give you the excuse to take more time than you have to shop. Or use the excuse that you don’t have anything at home or with you to eat, so you eat junk food.

The list can go on and on. Make simple decisions about what you need and where to go. Then, do what you need to do and don’t doubt your decision. Enjoy the decision-making process, make the decision without regret and wasted time and have some joy in the moment.