What people are struggling with

Revisiting and doubting decisions you already made.

Seeking excessive reassurance or data, unable to trust your own judgment.

A perpetual feeling of being "unsure," even about minor choices.

Regretting choices almost immediately after making them, imagining better alternatives.

Why this keeps repeating

A core lack of trust in your own internal authority or past experiences.

The mind mistakes doubt for thoroughness, believing more analysis will guarantee a perfect outcome.

Fear of consequence or responsibility overrides the ability to commit to a path.

My personal experience

Ordering food and immediately wishing I'd chosen something else.

Reading product reviews for hours after already purchasing an item.

The mental reruns of conversations, editing what I should have said.

Where this lives in the Cosmic Mirror

Clarity Layer: Internal authority and decision trust.

What actually helped me

Implementing a "no returns" rule for low-stakes decisions (like what to watch or what to order).

Setting a hard time limit for research (e.g., 10 minutes), after which I must decide.

Asking myself, "What would I advise my best friend to do in this situation?" and following that.

Things to try

Flip a coin for a small decision. Notice your gut reaction to the result.

After a decision, say out loud, "That was the right choice for me with the information I had."

Write down one past decision you regret, then list three ways it helped you or what it taught you.

Common mistakes or traps

Confusing second-guessing with healthy re-evaluation. One is a habit, the other is a conscious process.

Mistaking this doubt for intuition. Intuition is usually a clear, quiet signal, not anxious chatter.

Creating a "perfect" pros/cons list for every choice, which amplifies doubt and indecision.

Related paths to explore

Difficulty prioritizing

Constant comparing to others