Ever notice how the simplest actions feel enormous when the world seems upside down? 

When economic headlines scream crisis and uncertainty clouds every choice, the best advice is often to start small. It's not about solving everything at once - it's about reclaiming your sense of control, one tiny decision at a time.

This is part three of our series on making decisions when the world feels uncertain.

In part one, we explored why decision-making feels so much harder when everything is in flux.

In part two, we looked at how to reconnect with your intuition when your brain keeps creating worse-case scenarios.

Today, we're diving into something simple but powerful: the magic of small daily choices.

Can we talk about those moments when the world feels huge and everything seems uncertain?

Why Tiny Choices Matter (Especially Right Now)

The other day, I caught myself spiraling again. You know the drill — another alarming economic headline, my brain launching into a mental PowerPoint of "What If Everything Gets Worse?"

Suddenly, even the most basic decisions felt absurdly high-stakes:

• Should I renew that subscription?
• Do I reach out to this potential client today, or wait until things are "more stable"?
• Can I justify takeout... again?

Every choice felt heavier than it needed to. And that's when I remembered something I coach my clients on all the time (funny how we need reminders of our own advice): When everything feels out of control, start small.

Because waiting for stability isn't the only way to move forward.

This is what I want to offer you today: a way to ground yourself and rebuild trust in your decision-making — even when the outside world is messy.

Start small, choose often, trust yourself.

When Uncertainty Hijacks Your Confidence

Here's what I see happening again and again, in myself and with clients:

• We start catastrophizing. Our brain tries to predict worst-case outcomes for even the most mundane decisions.
• We get hit with decision fatigue. Constant uncertainty wears down our ability to choose with clarity.
• We start feeling like life is just happening to us. It's like we've gone from the driver's seat to being a passenger in our own lives.
• And then we freeze. Because when everything feels risky, we forget we can just start small.

But the antidote? It's deceptively simple: make one small decision, on purpose. Then another. And then another.

This is how you rebuild your confidence — not by solving everything at once, but by proving to yourself that you can still choose, even now.

Small Decisions That Make a Big Difference

Here are five categories of small-but-mighty decisions I've seen help people feel more grounded and capable — especially during economically challenging times:

From Avoidance to Momentum

Let's be honest — when the world feels heavy, the temptation to postpone decisions is real. We tell ourselves:

• "I'll decide when things are clearer."
• "I need to wait until I feel more confident."
• "It's too risky right now."

But here's the truth: the longer we delay, the shakier our confidence becomes. It's like a muscle — if we don't use it, we start doubting it.

Small Practices For Trusting Your Gut

To wrap up, here are a few small daily practices to keep that intuitive connection strong:

1. Body Check-In: Before checking your phone or diving into the day, take a moment to feel into your body. Notice your baseline state so you can notice shifts when you’re making decisions.
2. Three Breaths: Before making a decision, pause and take three deep breaths. It helps create a moment of calm to tune into your gut.
3. Ask: “What Do I Know for Sure?” This helps you separate real certainty from anxiety-driven projections, making space for your intuition to come through.
4. Daily Reflection: At the end of the day, write down one decision that felt aligned with your deeper wisdom. It might be a tiny choice, but the more you acknowledge it, the easier it will be to hear your intuition in the future.

Start Trusting Your Gut Today

In Part 3 of this series, we’ll talk about how even small daily decisions can help you build momentum and confidence during uncertain times. Because, in the end, it’s not about making one perfect decision — it's about rebuilding trust in yourself through intentional choices.

Until then, I encourage you to practice creating space for your intuition to be heard. Remember, the more you consciously trust your gut in small decisions, the easier it becomes to access this wisdom when facing bigger challenges.

I’d love to hear your experiences — share them in the comments below!

Note: Terms like "crisis-compounded indecision" originated in this blog series

and are © Jami Gibson 2025.

Want more tips on quieting your overthinking mind? Download my free guide, “Stop Overthinking: Your Escape Plan to Confidence,” Or join our Facebook group, Tackling Procrastination Together at 50+, for community support.

Let's quiet that mental spin cycle — you've got this!