How do you notice when you're rationalizing? Like, what *actually* tips you off, in real life?
I've listed my cues below; please add your own (one idea per comment), and upvote the comments that you either: (a) use; or (b) will now try using.
I'll be using this list in a trial rationality seminar on Wednesday; it also sounds useful in general.
Cue of not rationalizing: I find myself thinking new thoughts, hearing new ideas (if talking to someone else), and making updates I'm interested in -- even if they aren't about the specific decision I'm trying to make. The experience feels like walking through a forest looking around, and being pleasantly surprised by parts of my surroundings ("oh! maybe that is why clothes with buttons and folds and detail are more fashionable").