by C. Lee Cawley

C. Lee Cawley

In a world of endless choices, we often get bogged down by decision fatigue. From the moment we wake up, we’re faced with countless small choices—what to wear, what to use, what to buy. These seemingly minor decisions can add up and cause stress. One easy solution? Simplify by Single-choice! 

This doesn’t mean stripping your life of variety, but rather reducing the number of repetitive decisions you make every day. Let me show you how this works in a few areas of my life:

1. One Type of Sock

My husband used to have a drawer full of mismatched socks, wasting time every morning trying to find a matching pair. Now, he has just two styles:

•  White sports socks for casual wear and workouts.
•  Black dress socks for formal or professional outfits.

This change makes his day smoother. And when one sock develops a hole it does not negate the whole pair!

2. One Scent for All Soap Dispensers

Every bathroom and kitchen sink in my home used to have a different style and smell of hand soap. But now, I buy one large container of my favorite lavender scented soap and refill all the dispensers in the house.

Shopping for soap is a no-brainer, and I enjoy the cohesive, fresh smell throughout the house. Plus, it’s eco-friendly—fewer plastic bottles and less waste.

3. One Style of T-Shirt for Casual Wear

A client I know simplifies her days by buying one style of t-shirt that is the perfect weight, texture and fit!  She buys it in multiple colors and it feels and looks great at all times. Whether she’s running errands or relaxing at home, she knows exactly what she’ll wear each day without giving it a second thought.

This doesn’t mean her wardrobe is boring; it’s streamlined. Having a go-to casual outfit makes getting dressed quick and stress-free.

4. One Type of Towel

Instead of having a mix of different towels in various sizes and colors, simplify by choosing one style and color of bath towel and matching hand towel for the entire household. This creates a uniform, clean look in your bathrooms and makes laundry much easier.

5. One Color of Serveware

Instead of a blend of colorful plates, bowls, trays, and serving dishes, I decided to stick to all-white serveware. It makes my everyday or holiday table look elegant, everything matches and all the food looks appetizing on white.

6. One Type of Pen

Choose one reliable pen with the point size and ink color you love for all your writing needs. Whether for work, journaling, or jotting notes, having a consistent go-to pen eliminates the distraction of multiple types lying around and not being “quite right”.

Why Single-Choice Simplification Works

When you choose just one of something, you reduce unnecessary decisions, free up time, and declutter your life. This practice also makes your environment more harmonious and your shopping more intentional. Plus, it can help reduce waste and promote sustainability by focusing on bulk buying or refillable items.

Start Small

You don’t have to overhaul your entire life to feel the benefits. Start with one area, like socks, soap, or t-shirts, and see how much easier life feels. 

Choosing just one may be the simplest way to create more space for what really matters in life.

For more information, contact C. Lee Cawley.