Ryan’s Journal: The Problem with Choice
by Ryan Pew
I have a guilty pleasure that has persisted for years. My wife is well aware of it and actively encourages the habit. I’m an avid watcher of The Bachelor and all of the spin offs. When I first saw it with my wife years ago I could not believe how vapid and inconsequential the show was. I truly did not care about the outcome, thought everyone participating was a fool and hated myself for wasting time watching it.
However time heals all wounds. The premise of the show is simple. One woman or one man has around 30 suitors to choose from. Over the course of the season they whittle it down to one with the hope that the relationship ends in true love.
I know, absolutely ridiculous. However if you watch more than one season you start to see some of the same people. They bring back fab favorites, others get second chances, villains and heroes are established. It’s essentially a giant soap opera and becomes hilarious to watch.
One thing I have noticed is the idea that choice can be a double edged sword. We may not all have 30 people pining for our heart, but we do have an abundance of choices.
We have career paths to choose. If you are hiring there is always another candidate; if interviewing, there is always another opportunity.
You walk into some restaurants that have everything from pizza to burritos and you can’t think, nothing quite hits the spot.
Choice can immobilize us.
Why are we left feeling empty after these abundance of choices?
I think part of it is a state of mind. If you always think there is something better down the road then you’re never satisfied with your current situation.
There is always more money, a better title, a better life.
As a former Marine I lived a life for some time where we were told to, “embrace the suck”.
We didn’t have a choice and in the absence of choice there can be peace and freedom.
I don’t have a single solution, but I know the choices will only increase.
How will you choose to live?
Image credit: Jason Taellious
