Why Decision Fatigue Is Stealing Your Free Time (and How From a Hat Can Help)

Have you ever ended up spending half an hour scrolling through Netflix only to give up and watch nothing at all? Or spent ages in a group chat trying to agree on a book for your club, only for everyone to lose interest? You’re not alone: the modern world is suffering from decision fatigue.

What is decision fatigue?

Decision fatigue describes how the quality of our decision-making declines as we make more choices. When there are too many options, our cognitive resources get worn out, making us feel overwhelmed and unable to choose. This doesn’t just happen with big decisions — even small, everyday choices accumulate.

Common examples include:

• Streaming paralysis – endless movies and shows but nothing looks right.
• Take‑away indecision – dozens of restaurant options on delivery apps leave us ordering the same thing (or nothing).
• Book‑club debates – everyone suggests a different title and no one wants to compromise.
• Family game nights – arguing over which game to play eats up the evening.

Studies show that when we’re mentally exhausted, we favour familiar options or make no decision at all. That’s why you often end up re-watching the same sitcom instead of exploring something new.

How it steals your free time

• More time choosing than enjoying: The creators of From a Hat describe the problem perfectly — you have hundreds of options but can’t decide and you end up spending more time choosing than enjoying.
• Decision arguments: Group chats can get heated when everyone has a favourite. The mental energy spent debating erodes enthusiasm before the activity even starts.
• Choice overload kills spontaneity: With so many possibilities, we often stick with what’s safe or postpone the decision entirely. That means missing out on new experiences.

Meet From a Hat — your antidote to decision fatigue

From a Hat is a simple, fun tool that eliminates decision paralysis. Here’s how it works:

1. Create a Hat: Organise your choices into themed collections — movie nights, book clubs, game sessions and more.
2. Add anything: Movies, TV shows, books, games, restaurants — whatever you need help choosing from.
3. Let the random picker decide: A smart randomiser makes the choice for you so you can get on with enjoying.
4. Share and collaborate: Invite friends and family to add their picks for group decisions.

Instead of wasting energy debating, you can simply let the hat pick and start watching, reading or playing immediately. As the tagline says: “Stop scrolling, start choosing”.

Why randomness works

Random selection takes the pressure off individuals and makes group decisions feel fair. It also encourages you to discover options you might never have chosen yourself. Over time, you’ll spend less time arguing and more time enjoying. With the mental energy you save, you can invest in activities that actually matter.

Try it free

From a Hat offers a free plan where you can view and participate in unlimited hats — no credit card required. There’s also a paid Owner plan that lets you create unlimited hats and share them with friends. Give it a try and make your next decision the easiest one of the day!