Why Moms Struggle with Decision Fatigue—and How to Overcome It

If I think back to one of the biggest challenges I faced in early motherhood, freshly postpartum, it was definitely the overwhelm of decision-making. Each day brought new questions and choices I had never had to consider before.

At first, it was all about breastfeeding and sleep:Should I wake him or let him sleep? How long should I feed him? When should I seek help—and when should I trust the process?

And as my son got older, the decisions kept coming:When to start solids? Baby-led weaning or purees? Which foods are best? What shoes are best for first walkers?

(That last one makes me laugh now, but I remember how consumed I was by making sure his first pair wouldn’t negatively impact his foot development!)

What I’ve come to realize—both through my own experience and from countless conversations with other moms—is that decision fatigue is incredibly common in motherhood. Let’s talk about why that is... and what we can do about it.

Why Moms Experience Decision Fatigue

1. Because We Care So Deeply

We want the best for our children. Every decision feels weighty because the stakes feel high. Whether you're prone to indecisiveness or not, motherhood often turns up the pressure. Suddenly, each choice—big or small—can feel like it holds massive consequences.

2. Perfectionism Makes It Worse

If you're a perfectionist (or even just someone who wants to get it right), motherhood can magnify those tendencies. The fear of making the "wrong" decision can become paralyzing.

3. Information Overload

We live in the age of information—and while that can be empowering, it’s often overwhelming. From pregnancy to postpartum, we’re inundated with expert opinions, blog posts, research articles, and forums. There’s always more to learn, more to consider, more to second-guess.

4. Social Media Adds Pressure

Let’s not forget the Instagram reels, TikToks, and comment sections full of strong opinions, judgment, and contradiction. Even well-meaning advice can create confusion. And unfortunately, moms can be some of the loudest critics in online spaces. Instead of support, we often encounter comparison or even shaming.

5. We Compare Ourselves Constantly

It’s easy to look at another mom—online or in real life—and think, She’s doing it better. Maybe her baby sleeps through the night, or her toddler is hitting milestones early. But we rarely know the full story. As I always say: Comparison is the thief of joy.

6. Even AI Can Add to the Confusion

As helpful as tools like ChatGPT can be (yes, even I use it now!), they can also become just another place we outsource our decision-making. And it’s so important to remember that your intuition as a mother can’t be outsourced.

So How Do We Overcome Decision Fatigue?

The short answer: We reconnect with ourselves.

Your intuition is always there. It might be quiet or buried under the noise—but it’s not gone. Rebuilding that mind-body connection is the key to easing decision fatigue. Here are a few mindfulness practices that help:

1. Grounding Guided Meditations

Look for body scan meditations, breath awareness, or visualizations that help bring your focus into your physical body. They create space to feel instead of overthink.

2. Calming Breath Practices

Slow, steady breathing soothes the nervous system and helps quiet the mind. Breathwork can offer almost instant relief from spiraling thoughts.

3. Mindful Movement

Think gentle yoga, slow stretching, or even walking without distractions. Move with intention. Sync breath with movement. This kind of practice helps you become more attuned to how things feel in your body—beyond just logic.

The more you practice mindfulness, the more you build awareness of your body's signals. Often, your body will respond to a decision before your mind can make sense of it. That’s powerful information.

Get Clear on What Feels Right—for You

Here’s what this kind of self-awareness helps you do:

• Make decisions from internal cues rather than external pressure

• Recognize who and what actually influences you—and choose consciously

• Slow down and trust the timing when a decision doesn’t feel clear yet

  
  

You don’t need to rush. If something isn’t feeling right, it might not be the right time to decide. One of my favorite tools in moments of doubt?

Place one hand on your heart, one on your belly, take a few deep breaths, and simply ask: “What feels right for me right now?”

Human Design and Decision-Making

If you’re into Human Design like I am—or even if it’s completely new to you—you might enjoy learning more about how your design influences how you make decisions.

In my conversation with Sam McKoy from Raised by Design, we talked about how each person has an “authority” in Human Design. This is basically your body’s natural decision-making strategy.

Some people have sacral authority—they feel a “yes” or “no” right away in their gut. Others (like me) have emotional authority, which means we need to ride our emotional wave and give ourselves time (usually about 24 hours) before we can clearly feel what’s right.

When I discovered that about myself, it was such a relief! It helped me stop forcing myself to “just decide” on the spot—and instead gave me permission to wait for clarity.

If you’re curious, visit myhumandesign.com to explore your chart. It might offer some fresh insights into your own decision-making process.

Final Thoughts

Decision fatigue is real. But it doesn’t have to run the show. The more you reconnect with your intuition, your body, and what feels right for you, the more confident and grounded you’ll feel in your choices.

You don’t need every answer. You just need to trust yourself.

Thanks so much for being here and reading all the way to the end. I’m cheering you on, wherever you are in your motherhood journey.

🎧 Want to Dive Deeper?

If this topic resonated with you, I invite you to listen to the full episode on the Mama Time Podcast:

👉 Why Moms Struggle with Decision Fatigue and How to Overcome It

In the episode, I go even deeper into the stories, tools, and insights to help you move through the overwhelm and find clarity again.

If you loved the episode, it would mean the world to me if you’d share it with a fellow mama who might need to hear it too. 💛And don’t forget to hit subscribe so you never miss a new episode!