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#4: Overwhelm, Decision Fatigue, Paradox of Choice & 3-Step Decision Detox
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Welcome to the Mindset Shift Series!
Let’s talk about the Endless Scroll & The Curriculum Spiral ...
Ever feel like picking a homeschool curriculum is harder than choosing a name for your baby?
You start with a simple question: Which curriculum is best for my child? And before you know it…
- 47 open tabs
- 12 contradicting opinions
- A deep existential crisis at midnight
Sound familiar? Well, you are not alone!
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🤯 Why Too Many Choices = Total Paralysis
See, here’s the thing: Our brains are not designed to process unlimited choices.
Psychologist Barry Schwartz calls this the Paradox of Choice—the more options we have, the harder it is to make a decision and the less satisfied we are with the choice we finally make.
🚗 Think of your brain like a car. In the morning, it's fully fueled and ready to go. But by night? After a day of endless decisions—what to teach, what to cook, which meltdown to handle first—you’re running on fumes. Decision fatigue drains you, leaving nothing left for what truly matters.
And no wonder—research suggests we make about 35,000 decisions per day! 🤯
Of those, 200-300 are just about food. 🍎🥪☕
Now add parenting into the mix—deciding what’s for breakfast, navigating emotions, juggling schedules, managing learning—and the number skyrockets. By the afternoon, your mental fuel tank is on empty.
👉 This is why you can spend two hours scrolling Netflix and still end up watching the same show you’ve seen before.
👉 It’s why standing in the cereal aisle with 500 variations of granola makes you want to abandon the cart and leave the store.
And homeschooling?
Well, homeschooling is like the Costco-sized version of decision overload. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, and that’s what makes it both exciting and completely overwhelming.
This is why simplifying choices—especially in homeschooling—isn’t just helpful; it’s essential. Less overwhelm, more energy for what truly matters.
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In this episode, we discuss:
00:00 - The Biggest Lie in Homeschooling: “More choices mean better results.
00:18 - Why You Feel Stuck: Too many options lead to overwhelm.
00:45 - Introduction & Credibility: From attorney to homeschooling advocate.
01:05 - Mindset Shift: Progress over perfection.
01:06 - The Endless Scroll & Curriculum Spiral: “It started with one question…”
02:15 - Decision Fatigue is Real: 78% of homeschooling moms feel overwhelmed.
02:50 - The Paradox of Choice: More options = harder decisions.
03:32 - The Cereal Aisle Analogy: “Just grab one and leave!”
04:10 - Brain Overload & Decision Fatigue: Why small choices feel impossible.
05:00 - Homeschooling = Costco-Sized Overwhelm: Too many methods & opinions.
06:00 - Step 1: Ditch the Forever Choice Mindset: “What works for 3-6 months?”
06:50 - Step 2: Focus on Your Child, Not the Label: “How do they learn best?”
07:40 - Step 3: Make a Decision & MOVE ON: “Action creates clarity.”
08:20 - Progress Over Perfection: The only wrong choice is staying stuck.
09:00 - The 30-Day Challenge & MKAP CTA: “Skip 2 Frappuccinos, simplify learning.”
09:34 - Subscribe: “No FOMO—see you next time!”
Resources & Links
🗓️ Join Monthly Kids Activities Plan -MKAP – Get a done-for-you Monthly Activity Plan that makes learning hands-on and fun—so you can spend less time planning and more time playing!
🎓 Let’s Do This Together - You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. With over a decade of experience helping parents worldwide, I’ve mastered how to simplify homeschooling to amplify your child’s growth—without the stress or overwhelm.
🌐 Join Our FaceBook Community – Connect with like-minded parents and educators, enjoy exclusive LIVEs, challenges, free resources, and more to support your child's early years!
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🌟 Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts
If Play Homeschool Made Easy is your go-to for inspiration and practical homeschooling strategies, I’d be so grateful if you’d rate and review my show! Your support helps me reach more like-minded parents who are ready to simplify homeschooling and amplify their child’s potential.
Here’s how: Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Tell me what resonated most—I love hearing your biggest takeaways!
And don’t forget to follow the Play Homeschool podcast! I’m dropping bonus episodes packed with exclusive tips, and if you’re not following, you might miss out. Hit follow now and let’s keep this journey going together!
📑 Research & References:
- Homeschooling Statistics: Ray, B. D. (2022). Research Facts on Homeschooling. National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI).
- Average Number of Decisions Made Daily: PBS North Carolina. (n.d.). How Many Decisions Do We Make in One Day?
- Daily Decisions About Food: Wansink, B., & Sobal, J. (2007). Mindless Eating: The 200 Daily Food Decisions We Overlook. Cornell University.
- Decision Fatigue: Baumeister, R. F., & Tierney, J. (2011). Decision Fatigue: The Deterioration of Decision Quality Over Time. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
- U.S. Homeschooling Growth: (2021-2022). Homeschooling Enrollment Trends and Demographics.
- Schwartz, B. (2004). The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less. New York: Harper Perennial.
- Schwartz, B. (2005, July). The Paradox of Choice. TEDGlobal.
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