» Too many choices

Too many choices

Sometimes simple is better.

Lately I have been overwhelmed by the decisions that I have to make on a daily basis. When did everyday choices become such a burden?

I was in the grocery store the other day because I wanted to get some apples. Simple enough one would think.

When I got to the produce section I was reminded that we no longer live in a world ruled by simplicity. Golden Delicious. Granny Smith. Pink Lady. Gala. Red Delicious. Even something called a Grapple – a cross between an apple and a grape. Flummoxed by the variety of apples, I couldn’t make a decision.

I wondered if Eve had been faced with so many choices, would she have opted for a banana instead? I decided to keep it simple and chose a Washington Red – a classic among apples.

Later that same day I went online looking for a pot roast recipe. Easier said than done. I was bombarded by thousands of recipes for pot roasts, each one complete with reviews. I spent half an hour going from one recipe to another thinking that maybe the next one would be better. By the time I settled on one (and it just so happened it was the very first one I had looked at) it was too late to cook. So I decided to go the quick and easy route – fast food.

I chose my numbered meal, happy to have everything already figured out for me. But I wasn’t done yet. Small, medium or large? Fries, onion rings or apples? Ranch, honey mustard or BBQ? Sweet tea or coke? I wasn’t even hungry anymore.

When I got home I settled in with my computer,ready to relax a bit, in search of some specific something or other. I found a relevant site and then that site had a link to another site. And then that site had a link, and so on and so on. And, well, you get the picture. I had a hard time remembering exactly what I started looking for so I just called it a night.

I love that we live in a world of possibilities. But sometimes I do long for a time when we had fewer choices and life was simpler. Maybe then we could appreciate what we do have instead of constantly searching for the next best thing.

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Tags: apples, choices, computers, possibilities, simple, simplicity

Life Stuff | Moxie Momma | February 8, 2010 5:00 am

9 Comments

By philip palmer, February 8, 2010 @ 10:28 am

It was George Carlin who said that, “We have a hundred different cereals to choose from, but only two presidential candidates.” Of course there are more, but due to politics they seem destined to be sidelined, so George ends up being correct. The point is, we have endless choices in the wrong areas. I too am plagued by this variety disease…and BTW, when I was a kid, the grocery stores carried York apples, and now they are not to be found….lopsided, hard, crunchy and delicious.
By AmyMusings, February 8, 2010 @ 2:02 pm

We are living parallel lives today. I too shopped in the overwhelming produce aisle and bought a pot roast. I stood in front of the roasts for 20 minutes. The produce choice was easier, simply because the choices were narrowed down by ripe and they really think someone will buy these moldy berries?

Loved your piece on momnificent!
By Moxie Momma, February 8, 2010 @ 4:48 pm

Thanks so much for reading Amy. I’ll check out your blog when I get a chance.
By John Locklair, February 8, 2010 @ 5:36 pm

And how about shampoo!? At least once a year, I finally narrow down the metallic color, fruit flavorings and shape of the bottle and I get home, ready to wash my hair — and it’s conditioner. I love that….
By NeatMom, February 8, 2010 @ 8:20 pm

Absolutely, girl! I totally agree. It’s quite frustrating. That’s why I decided to have a “just pick something” attitude and get on with the next thing. Being a perfectionist I had to find the best thing. But this way helps me avoid that dilemma.
By Lyn, February 8, 2010 @ 11:41 pm

I get you, Michelle. Things were straight forward once. We have an add over here where a guy goes and asks for some milk. The lady behind the counter rattles off all of these different milks and he gets confused. He says “Ijust want milk that tastes like real milk.” Well, that seems like a simple request, but it’s what happens. lol
By Moxie Momma, February 9, 2010 @ 10:51 am

Oh my gosh, John, that is so funny and so true. I’ve done the same exact thing. It’s infuriating. Thanks for reading!
By Moxie Momma, February 9, 2010 @ 10:52 am

I’m a perfectionist too…just in case you hadn’t already guessed that. I’m trying to adopt that “just pick one quickly” attitude. But it’s so hard. Thanks for reading!
By Moxie Momma, February 9, 2010 @ 10:53 am

Lyn, how funny is that about the milk? Who knew things could be so difficult? Thanks for reading.