What does it mean when I feel overwhelmed by sensory input and too many choices at once?

This is something Patanjali spoke to directly: the mind becomes scattered when it's processing too much input at once. In the Yoga Sutras, he describes the mind as naturally fragmenting when exposed to excessive stimulation. That's not weakness on your part—that's a real neurological response. With ADHD, your nervous system is often more sensitive to input. Where someone else might process three choices easily, your brain is registering seven layers of sensory data, emotional context, and decision weight simultaneously. It's not that you're indecisive; it's that you're processing more. What helps: reduce the input deliberately. Cut choices in half—literally. If a store overwhelms you, shop online with fewer options filtered. If a room feels chaotic, simplify your environment before you enter it. This isn't avoidance; it's honoring how your system actually works. The deeper practice is noticing when you're at capacity *before* you're drowning in overwhelm. Pause. Name what you're sensing. Step outside. Reduce one thing. Your nervous system will settle faster when you work with it than when you fight it. When paralyzed by choices, set a simple rule: "I pick the first reasonable option and move forward." Done is better than perfect.