Last week, I found myself staring at my phone, hesitating over a purchase I'd normally make without a second thought.

It wasn't particularly expensive or life-changing – just a workshop that might help my business. Yet there I was, finger hovering over the "confirm payment" button, unable to commit.

Sound familiar?

If you've been finding even routine decisions suddenly overwhelming, you're not alone. The economic uncertainty we're all navigating has turned decision-making into an Olympic sport – and not the fun kind.

I've created a special four-part series to help navigate the complex terrain of decision-making as we approach midlife - because I'm right there with you, figuring this out as we go.

Over the next four posts, we'll explore:

• why choosing feels harder during economic uncertainty,
• how to access your intuition when anxiety is high,
• the power of small daily decisions when larger circumstances feel out of control, and
• why recognizing even your smallest choices builds essential resilience

My hope is that these insights provide both practical support and emotional anchoring as we work through these challenging waters together.

When External Chaos Meets Internal Hesitation

Here's what I've noticed: economic uncertainty doesn't just affect our bank accounts – it transforms how our brains process choices.

That workshop decision? Here's how my thought process actually went:

• "This looks helpful... but what if I need that money for something essential later?"
• "Is now really the time to invest in anything non-essential?"
• "What if things get worse and I regret spending anything at all?"
• "But what if this helps me create more stability...?"

And so the thinking continued in circles until I closed the app without deciding anything.

When you encounter uncertainty, your mind automatically perceives an unpredictable situation as a threat. (Brian Robinson, Ph.D.)

This is what I call "the mental merry-go-round" – our normal decision-making challenges amplified by legitimate external concerns. And it's exhausting.

I've experienced this carousel of worry myself countless times during economic uncertainty, sometimes spending more energy deliberating a small purchase than I would on major life decisions during stable times.

The Triple Threat to Clear Thinking

When economic uncertainty collides with our natural midlife decision-making patterns, we face a perfect storm of hesitation:

1. Our brain's threat response kicks into overdrive. When headlines scream about economic disaster, our amygdala (the brain's alarm system) gets louder too. This biological response makes us more risk-averse and less creative in our thinking – exactly when we need those qualities most.
2. The stakes feel higher for every choice. That $50 purchase? It's no longer just $50 – it's "$50 that might be needed for an emergency." Everything takes on outsized significance.
3. The future becomes harder to visualize. Decision-making requires some ability to predict outcomes. But when the broader landscape feels unpredictable, our mental forecasting abilities falter.

One client described it perfectly: "It's like trying to choose a path forward when the map keeps changing and the weather report shows storms in every direction."

Why Your History with Money Matters Now More Than Ever

Here's something fascinating I've observed in my coaching: how we're responding to the current economic situation often connects directly to our past experiences with economic uncertainty.

• Did you live through previous economic downturns as an adult?
• Were money struggles part of your childhood?
• Did your family discuss finances openly or was money a source of hidden tension?

These experiences create what psychologists call "emotional templates" – instinctive responses that activate during similar situations. They explain why some people immediately slash all spending while others barely adjust their habits, despite facing identical circumstances.

My father, born during the Great Depression, carries those economic scars to this day. Growing up, I witnessed his hypervigilance around money – the way he still, to this day, stockpiles essentials, scrutinized every purchase, and reacts with immediate financial caution at the first hint of economic uncertainty.

While his protective responses made perfect sense given his formative experiences, I've noticed how sometimes these patterns prevented thoughtful decisions about which expenditures might actually be beneficial, even during tight times.

By contrast, my client Michael, who navigated the 2008 financial crisis as a young entrepreneur, developed confidence in his ability to adapt. While still cautious, he's able to distinguish between panic-based decisions and strategic choices during uncertain times.

Decision-Making Strategies That Actually Work During Economic Uncertainty

Here are approaches I've found genuinely helpful (not just theoretically sound but actually practical):

The Surprising Advantage of Experience

Here's something hopeful: while midlife brings more complex decisions, it also gives us a secret weapon – experience. We've weathered financial storms before. We've made difficult choices under pressure. We've recovered from decisions that didn't work out as planned.

My client Anna recently told me something profound. After weeks of agonizing over whether to downsize her home in response to the economic climate, she suddenly had a moment of clarity: "I realized I've faced uncertainty before and found my way through. This isn't my first rodeo with tough choices."

That perspective – that you've navigated difficult waters before – can be incredibly steadying when everything else feels chaotic.

One Small Step Forward

If decision paralysis has been keeping you stuck, consider this gentle approach: choose one small, low-risk decision you've been postponing, and commit to making it within 24 hours. Not a life-changing choice, just something simple that moves one aspect of your life forward.

Maybe it's deciding which book to read next, scheduling that doctor's appointment you've been putting off, or choosing a new walking route for tomorrow morning.

The act of making one clear choice creates momentum. It reminds your brain that you can still move forward, even when the bigger picture remains uncertain.

In the next installment of this series, I'll explore specific techniques for using your intuition when your analytical mind is spinning with economic what-ifs.

You're Not Alone In This

Because beneath the noise of market fluctuations and financial forecasts, your inner wisdom is still there, waiting to be heard.

What decision have you been finding particularly challenging during these uncertain economic times? How has the current situation affected your decision-making process?

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!