Navigating Finances in the Dark

ACT 1 — THE DIMMING HEADLAMP Imagine you’re walking through a forest at night with a

headlamp. In the beginning, the light is sharp. You see every branch, every stone,

every turn. But as the hours pass, the light begins to dim.

Slowly. Imperceptibly. Not enough for you to notice right away — but enough

that the path becomes harder to see. You start tripping on roots you would have stepped over

easily an hour ago. You miss details. Your reactions slow. Your judgment blurs. The forest hasn’t

changed. Your visibility has. This is the psychology of decision fatigue

— the gradual dimming of the mental headlamp you rely on to navigate daily choices. Financial mistakes