Post-Choice Regret

Post-choice regret, a form of choice overload, is feeling remorse or dissatisfaction after making a decision, often from fear of making the wrong choice or believing a better option was available. Signs include feeling dissatisfied or remorseful after making a decision, constant second-guessing of the choice, worrying about alternative outcomes, feeling that a better choice was available, and anxiety and stress related to the decision. Also see Choice Shifts. Causes include:

• Fear of missing out (FOMO) by not choosing or regretting not taking the best option.
• High stakes decisions with significant consequences or personal importance can increase regret.
• Over-optimism is believing a chosen option will lead to a better outcome than it actually does, which can lead to disappointment and regret.