We love a clean break.
The triumphant “I quit” story. The moment when everything falls apart and then magically comes together in the end. The relief of walking away, the clarity that follows, the applause for choosing yourself.

But what happens when walking away isn’t possible—or even right?

What if you can’t leave your job, your city, or your current circumstance just yet?

According to Google, performative behavior “refers to actions taken primarily to project a desired image and gain social approval or validation, rather than being rooted in genuine beliefs or actions. It often involves conforming to societal expectations, maintaining a facade, and sacrificing authenticity to achieve perceived social success.”

Let’s set the scene… You’re sitting in a room—maybe it’s a family meeting, maybe it’s with friends, or maybe it’s a work discussion. You’ve earned the title of “the responsible one,” and now... all eyes are on you. The issue has been laid out, and suddenly, the pressure is on your shoulders to make a decision about something complicated. Everyone’s relieved that it’s finally being discussed, but no one wants to be the one to step up and make the call. Well, guess who’s quietly been handed that task?

According to Google, decision fatigue occurs when you’ve made so many choices—or the choices you’ve faced are so difficult—that your mental resources become depleted. I reached a point where even simple decisions, like “What should I have for dinner?” would leave me paralyzed. I was living moment by moment because thinking ahead felt impossible.