Have trouble making decisions, am I the only one?

Page 1 of 1 [ 6 posts ] 

dragonzatch
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker

User avatar

Joined: 22 Feb 2013
Age: 25
Gender: Male
Posts: 58

19 Jan 2014, 1:33 am

So tonight my nana comes in, after hearing the Mac crash so many times, and asks if I want to use the laptop she's using instead since she was about to go to bed anyways. Of course I do. That's an easy decision, I don't need the Mac crashing while I'm trying to watch Netflix or play a game.

Then she asks me if I want it in the living room or the other room. Um...duh...

This is where my mind went blank. Those two things have the EXACT same number of pros and cons, so it is near impossible to make a decision.

She gives me some time to think but then gives up and me and packs her things and goes in the other room.

Then I felt bad. I didn't want to make her move and lug all of her stuff, so I tell her at the last minute
"Wait, I think I'll go in the other room."

Then she gets mad. She drops all of her stuff, struggles with the plug angrily, and leaves me in there without so much as an "I love you."

I don't even want to be in this stupid room! Why did I say I wanted to be in here? I hate it in here. The fan's too loud and it's too bright.

Now I feel bad that I made HER go through all the trouble. I know if I move back in the living room she'll get mad. I go into sensory overload and right now I'm still sobbing because SERIOUSLY, WHY ME? Couldn't God punish someone else with all this crap? Why is everyone else in the world able to make decisions but me?!

I'm a 12 1/2 yr. old boy and I know I'm too old to cry, but it just happens sometimes...do I need to be on some kind of medication to help me make decisions better? I'm a high functioning autistic who had delayed speaking.



redrobin62
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 2 Apr 2012
Age: 63
Gender: Male
Posts: 13,009
Location: Seattle, WA

19 Jan 2014, 2:33 am

Don't worry. As you get older decisions will come to you more easily. That's a common thing.



Pawyilee
Emu Egg
Emu Egg

User avatar

Joined: 24 Aug 2013
Gender: Male
Posts: 1

19 Jan 2014, 2:38 am

No. you're not. When I don't know what's the best decision. I settle for second best.



Marky9
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 4 Mar 2013
Gender: Male
Posts: 1,625
Location: USA

19 Jan 2014, 7:39 am

It seems to me you are doing ok.

I also make a list of pros and cons to help make decisions. It works well most of the time, and gives a clear indication of the best decision. It works less well in gray areas where there is a tie, that is where the pros and cons are equal.

I wonder if also finding a new, additional tool to help break this sort of tie might help. Literally maybe something like flipping a coin to choose which of equal alternatives to take. Then just do whatever the coin-toss says and let it go.

Life will continue to present gray-area decision situations from time to time. After first listing pros and cons and discovering they are equal, maybe having a backup tool like a coin toss to use as a tie-breaker could help you avoid the stress of them.


_________________
"Righteous indignation is best left to those who are better able to handle it." - Bill W.


serenaserenaserena
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 19 Jul 2013
Gender: Female
Posts: 573
Location: Sinnoh Region, Pokémon World

19 Jan 2014, 8:29 am

Yes, I'm like this. It takes me a long time to make even small decisions, and it's because they have the same number of pros and cons. When I'm asked if I'm hungry, it takes me a long time to know. If I'm asked if I'm cold, it take a long time. If I'm asked if I want to watch a movie, it takes a long time. If I'm asked if I want a tiny piece of bread, it takes a long time. For me, it's basically like every decision is a huge decision, because I play out the results in my head, and then I just get mad from having to make the decision even existing.


_________________
~~~
aspie score: 166 out of 200
officially diagnosed in 2013
~~~
Pain is inevitable; suffering is optional.
~~~


Lillikoi
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 22 Jul 2013
Gender: Non-binary
Posts: 11,797
Location: The Mid-West-East-South.

23 Jan 2014, 4:59 pm

Don't worry, you aren't the only one with this problem. I struggle with decisions like that all the time, sometimes to the point that it gets frustrating. Heck, sometimes it can take me ten minutes just to decide what to wear in the morning! My suggestion would be to do what Marky said; if you really can't decide, just do a quick coin toss or some other sort of "tie-breaker" to help you make a choice.
Don't worry though, your ability to make decisions will get better as you get older. :)


_________________
^
That guy is a dingus.