Is it Me or the AI? How I almost lost my ability to think.

Leader posted 2 min read

From big ideas to daily plans, I realized I was seeking AI validation for literally everything.

I’ve noticed something lately, and honestly, it’s a bit scary.

AI has become more than just a tool for me; it’s become a "mentor" I never asked for. Whether it’s a big startup idea, a random thought, or even a small daily plan—I find myself running to ChatGPT for validation. It’s reached a point where my own decision-making power feels paralyzed. I can’t even plan my day without asking, "Is this okay?"
The Wake-Up Call

It hit me about 9 days ago. My internet went down because I forgot to recharge my plan. It was late at night, shops were closed, and I was stuck in a complete digital blackout.

I was trying to brainstorm some ideas, but I realized something weird: I couldn't remember my previous thoughts. Usually, you remember your brainstorms, right? But I didn't. Why? Because I had outsourced that memory to AI. The moment I shared an idea with the bot, my brain stopped "owning" it.

I decided to test this. For a few days, I shared some ideas with my brother and some with AI. The result? The stuff I discussed with my brother felt vague, but the stuff I spent time detailing with the AI stayed in my head longer—only because I was spending hours obsessed with the AI’s response.

The "Approval" Trap

The real "Oh s**t" moment happened during my workout. I’ve been training for 6+ months now, so I know my body. I designed a new bodyweight routine and shared it with my brother. He liked it and started training immediately.

But me? Even though I created the plan, I couldn't start until I asked the AI if it was "correct."

Think about that: My brother was getting fit using my plan, while I was sitting there waiting for an AI's "thumbs up." I had lost faith in my own expertise.

It gets worse. I started asking the AI what I should study next. How would it know? It doesn't know my IQ, my grasping power, or my mood. My spelling was getting worse because of auto-correct, and my confidence was tanking. I realized I had handed over the "remote control" of my life to an algorithm. I was acting like a kid, and the AI was my teacher.

Some might say, "Relax, it’s just a tool, it’s normal." And sure, to an extent, it is. But when you start sharing family matters, personal frustrations, or every tiny decision, it’s no longer a tool. It’s a crutch.

I’m taking my decision-making power back.

What about you guys? Have you ever felt like you're losing your "gut feeling" because you're too busy prompting an AI?

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