Savvy Psychologist How to resist the urge to optimize everything
Dec 10, 2025
In a world obsessed with optimization, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The discussion highlights how excessive self-improvement can actually backfire. Emotions and experiences sometimes defy control and can’t be 'optimized.' There’s a focus on evaluating whether habits align with personal values rather than societal standards. Trade-offs, like choosing community over perfect efficiency, offer deeper fulfillment. Finally, it’s all about intentionally optimizing what truly matters to you instead of succumbing to cultural pressures.
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Optimization Culture Can Backfire
- Optimization culture pushes us to constantly upgrade habits and emotions even when it backfires.
- Ellen Hendrickson shows that relentless optimization can make life feel like a perpetual job instead of living.
Ask If Something Is Meant To Be Optimized
- Ask whether something is actually meant to be optimized before you try.
- Control what you can, then trust yourself to handle whatever happens next.
Katie's Vacation Optimization Dilemma
- A client named Katie obsessively planned a vacation to maximize feeling carefree and relaxed.
- She learned to optimize logistics then trust herself to manage emotions in the moment to avoid FOMO and regret.