Everybody stresses over decisions, whether it's something small like what to watch on Netflix . . . or a more significant, life-altering change, like choosing a new shampoo. (???)
A large-scale study published in the journal "Psychological Science" found that some of life's toughest questions have a consistent theme: Perceived risk.
The study asked people about their toughest, most stressful life decisions, and then compiled them in a list of the riskiest choices people are faced with. Here's the Top 10:
1. Whether to accept a new job or not.
2. Whether to quit your job, without an alternative gig.
3. Whether to invest money.
4. Whether to drive a car . . . when tired, buzzed, or there's bad weather.
5. Whether to become self employed.
6. Whether to buy a house.
7. Whether to get surgery.
8. Whether to get married.
9. Whether to get vaccinated.
10. Whether to move to another country.
Others in the Top 25 include: Whether or not to have children . . . to get an education or training . . . to meet up with people . . . to not get insurance . . . and whether or not to leave the house at all. Which is relatable.
It's not surprising that there's a wide-range of responses. The researchers intentionally left the concepts of risk and what makes a tough, difficult choice vague.