Re: What's wrong with me? I can't make choices/decisions

You sound like me. There are lots of possible angles on this. Here are a few.

You just aren't comfortable enough trusting your "inner voice." It can be very hard for me to accept that ultimately, I need to trust my own decision-making. It may not always appear to be the best decision on paper, but if it satisfies my needs, maybe it's good enough for the moment. I think spending more calm, quiet time could be beneficial. Unfortunately, if you're like me, this also gives you more time for self-doubt :) Have a good, quiet meal, chew slowly, thoroughly. Spend time letting your mind get quiet and meditate. Ponder yourself and appreciate the things that make you unique. Spend time with loved ones chatting and laughing. I hope there is room in your life for relaxing and just enjoying being.

I had parents who were obsessed with being cheap. They loved to examine the past and drag up things forever. I do that to some degree, but for the most part - damn, what is the point? Learn from it & move on. You can't change what happened in the past. Some of us get stuck thinking about it as if we can, as if we can prevent it from EVER happening again. Maybe that's not reasonable. I feel like I've been programmed to think that way, though, and it may never totally leave my body to react to things in that manner initially.

I also like to tell my subconscious good things, and things it can do to help me. One is to accept the possibility of failure. You might make a choice, and it may not always be the most optimal or the best. The people who are out "conquering the world" and doing the most don't get stuck in the details, of whether every decision came out perfectly. They just accept the criticism the world heaps on them and keep plowing through, for better or worse. As you prepare for sleep tonight, try telling yourself one thing to dream about, and see if it happens.

It might also be a nutrient deficiency. Many things can impact your nervous system.

Stop watching TV. Stick to Tivo, Netflix, or whatever. I find TV ads to be poison to my brain. It's easier to think for myself when I'm not letting myself be duped.

Also, you're not alone! I've read semi-scholarly articles about what a problem this is, especially in the U.S.! The overwhelming number of choices, the information, the feeling of responsibility for every choice...but we can't live that way, or we'd go crazy, thinking every decision is equally critical, that the world will end if we don't make the right one. We get more chances to make new decisions, until we die. Usually, if you ask yourself "what's the worst that's going to happen?" you'll find some immediate perspective. Nobody's going to die because you spent $5 more for the shoes. And by the way, I aim to do what you do, and I still end up with a bunch of stuff I can't use anymore :) We're all going to hell!