What everyday tasks feel more challenging than before, like managing money or cooking?
Everyday tasks that once felt simple can suddenly seem much harder. Things like managing money, cooking meals, or even deciding what to do next can become overwhelming. This happens to many people and is often linked to something called decision fatigue and executive dysfunction.
When your brain is tired from making too many decisions throughout the day, it becomes harder to think clearly or focus on tasks. This mental exhaustion makes even small choices feel paralyzing. For example, managing money might involve budgeting, paying bills on time, or choosing between spending and saving — all of which require attention and planning. When decision fatigue sets in, these steps feel confusing or exhausting[5].
Cooking can also become more challenging than before. It’s not just about following a recipe; it involves planning meals ahead of time, shopping for ingredients, timing everything right so food doesn’t burn or get cold — all requiring good organization and focus. If your executive function (the brain’s ability to plan and carry out tasks) isn’t working well due to stress or mental overload, starting cooking or finishing a meal can feel like climbing a mountain[1].
Other everyday activities may also seem tougher because they demand juggling multiple responsibilities at once — like work deadlines combined with family needs — which adds pressure and stress[4]. When overwhelmed by too many things at once without enough support, people often procrastinate or avoid tasks altogether because their brain looks for shortcuts when tired[5].
Breaking big jobs into smaller steps helps make them manageable again. Instead of trying to do everything perfectly at once (which leads to burnout), focusing on one small part at a time reduces overwhelm[3]. For instance:
– Instead of cooking an entire dinner from scratch every night, try preparing simpler meals.
– When handling finances, set reminders for bill payments rather than keeping track mentally.
– Take breaks during the day so your mind has time to rest before making more decisions.
In short: life today feels more complex with constant demands pulling us in different directions—whether it’s political worries outside our control or personal challenges inside our homes—and this complexity drains our ability to handle everyday chores easily[5]. Recognizing when you’re feeling overwhelmed is the first step toward finding ways that make daily tasks less daunting.
So if managing money feels confusing now or cooking takes longer than before—know you’re not alone—and there are ways you can adjust how you approach these chores so they don’t wear you down as much anymore.
