I hate choosing shampoo. Or toilet paper or rice or jeans. I’ll even wear the same crusty boots into the ground because I can’t stand the idea of picking out new ones. The thought of making decisions truly immobilizes me. And with more and more to choose from every day, capitalism is causing me to panic at the grocery store.
This Pantene says it’s for normal hair, but mine is not really that normal. It’s more dry, but Suave for dry hair is too cheap to actually work and the bottle is pink. I hate pink. The Aussie shampoo smells good, but I don’t want to buy it because they’ll think their advertising is working and then they’ll make more of those horrible commercials that make me want to kill every kangaroo and hate every Australian. I should actually just stick to natural formulas. I’m gonna go Burt’s Bees. No, wait. I’m not paying thirteen dollars for that tiny tube of shampoo. Actually, I don’t even need to wash my hair. Forget it.
The same thing happens with cars and apartments and men. Sometimes I choose out of exhaustion, sometimes I talk myself into the wrong thing, and sometimes I just close my eyes and pick, which has gotten me into some really damaging relationships. There’s a constant pros/cons list writing itself in my head along with a looming fear that I’ll miss out if I make a bad choice. If I go with the veggie omelet, I’ll forgo the french toast and the french toast might be better. If I choose Luigi from Chicago, then I’ll miss out when Javier from Buenos Aires comes along, and everyone knows he‘ll be better.
And then there’s that whole job dilemma. In the sixties, women’s career choices were limited: Teacher, Nurse, or Secretary. Now, I could give manicures to dead people or bathe apes or run for president (ok, vice). Is it really that great that we have so many choices? Everyone I know seems to be wondering what to do with their lives.
This topic interested me so much that I bought a book on it: The Paradox of Choice.
I couldn’t wait to read it, but I put it on my shelf while I finished another. And that was five books ago. I still haven’t read it. And that’s because every time I saddle up to my bookshelf to pick out my next read, there are so many books from which to choose.
I bet there are some really good insights in that book about how certain things are overlooked when there are too many options.
{ 34 comments }
is it possible we're twins?
That used to happen to me sometimes, but with the little things there's no point in worrying about it. If you don't read a book now, you can read it later. If you try one restaurant/shampoo/etc now and you don't like it, you've crossed it off your list. You can try the other one later.
Sometimes if I'm truly indifferent about a decision I'll just flip a coin. I don't second guess the outcome. I've done this for some semi-important decisions as well.
As for really important decisions, it's all about research.
Note to self: Be more of Vicente from Barcelona and less of Rahul from Jersey.
You forgot prostitute in the 60s. Another woman's job. Not that I know anything about that. Saw it on some new program. CNN and the like. Yeah, that's it. CNN.
My reading list is like a mile long and more and more books keep pushing their way to the top of the list.
This one really made me think. No. It gave me the want to think. And then I figured out that I could very well choose not to think. Choices I say!
I am right there with you. Feel like I spend a ton of time looking at things, weighing options and wondering if I'm making the right choice. I've decided to decide.
I heart you.
Wow, I could not agree more. I find myself always making Ron decide where to eat out because I might want sushi but then mexican sounds good and since I cant have both I suddenly start thinking maybe we should just eat cereal for dinner and not have to decide at all. Maybe our mothers did this to us-that has to be it right! Either that or Addison.
Aaaaaah! I still can't decide whether to fish or cut bait. It's infuriating.
OMG, you have to read Jonah Lehrer's book, "How We Decide". It's all about eavesdropping on your emotional/rational brain to make better decisions. And as Plato calls it, "the wild horses of our mind." Love the blog. Kudos!
Oh, and it's called Paralysis by Analysis. ;-)
wait! do you know ernessa? you have her book on your shelf! i took a writing class with her. she pretty much rules all.
you should check out her blog, fierce and nerdy.
As far as the big stuff, a wise friend once said to me:
"When the time comes to decide, you'll know what to do." So if you don't know what to do, that means it's not the time to decide yet.
And regarding shampoo, I used to work in that industry, and spent a lot of time in the labs that make them. Bottom line: they're all the same so don't sweat it.
Your review has been posted here.
Dude, check out The Quarter Life Crisis. It's a psychological theory by Erik Erikson. (Why do that to your kid? Why? Why?!)
If only we all could aspire to be the decider (and not the vice decider).
In a related note, I've been trying to read this book about how to focus for like three months now. I'm not even halfway through…
Jonas rocks…
-Kindest Regards,
Russell
I am very happy you took the time and wrote that post!!!
I’m extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your weblog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it is rare to see a great blog like this one these days..
Hi, i read your blog from time to time and i own a similar one and i was just wondering if you get a lot of spam remarks? If so how do you stop it, any plugin or anything you can advise? I get so much lately it’s driving me crazy so any assistance is very much appreciated.
Hey just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The text in your content seem to be running off the screen in Firefox. I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to do with internet browser compatibility but I figured I’d post to let you know. The layout look great though! Hope you get the issue fixed soon. Kudos
You ought to really think about working on creating this weblog into a serious authority on this market. You evidently have a grasp handle of the matters everyone is trying to find on this web site in any case and you could possibly actually even earn a buck or two off of some advertisements. I’d discover following latest topics and elevating the quantity of write ups you place up and I assure you’d begin seeing some wonderful focused site visitors within the close to future. Only a thought, good luck in no matter you do!
Simply killing some in between class time on Digg and I discovered your article . Not usually what I desire to examine, nevertheless it was absolutely worth my time. Thanks.
simply have to mention you help to make quite a few excellent facts and will submit a small amount of creative ideas to add in just after a day or two.
I enjoy what you guys tend to be up too. This kind of clever work and coverage! Keep up the amazing works guys I’ve you guys to blogroll.
Great post! I?m just starting out in community management/marketing media and trying to learn how to do it well – resources like this article are incredibly helpful. As our company is based in the US, it?s all a bit new to us. The example above is something that I worry about as well, how to show your own genuine enthusiasm and share the fact that your product is useful in that case
definitely have to say you help to make several fantastic facts and may write-up a number of options to add on just after a day or two.
I’d come to play ball with you here. Which is not something I typically do! I really like reading a post that will make people think. Also, thanks for allowing me to comment!
Exclusive material, thank you to the writer. It is actually incomprehensible in my opinion at present, however in common, the usefulness and importance is mind-boggling. With thanks and all the best…
Now you could have your new website online and also you’re eager to start making some gross sales! However, how are you going to make sales for those who do not need high volumes of holiday makers to your web site?
My brother recommended I might like this website. He was totally right. This post actually made my day. You cann’t imagine just how much time I had spent for this info! Thanks!
I just added this feed to my bookmarks. I have to say, I really enjoy reading your blogs. Thanks!
Excellent work over again! I am looking forward for your next post;)
{ 2 trackbacks }