Too many choices?

I started reading The Paradox of Change: Why More is Less - How the culture of abundance robs us of satisfaction by Barry Schwartz. He starts off with statistics from a visit to a medium-size supermarket: 85 varieties of crackers, 285 varieties of cookies, even 20 different varieties of Goldfish! It goes on from there.

What Schwartz found is that when there are too many choices, we sometimes opt to make no choice. For example, in store demonstrations, the 20 types of jelly attracted more shoppers to sample, but if there were only six kinds, more shoppers actually bought a jar.

RVers likewise have dozens, if not hundreds, of choices when it comes to choosing an RV - from type (Class A, trailer, 5th wheel and more), to length, number of slides, color of decor, etc. How do you find the perfect RV?

However, once you purchase your RV then this lifestyle limits many of your choices. It's pretty hard to redocorate or buy things for the RV. Space for knickknacks is limited as is space for clothes and other "stuff." The one area where you have more choices is where to travel.

Have you found yourself avoiding or postponing a decision because there are too many choices? On the other hand, do you find life is easier because you pass by knickknacks and even clothes and more shoes? It's easier to tune them out if you know you have no room for them. We've gotten into geocaching because George researched GPS devices and bought one. Had it been left up to me, I never would have chosen one- too overwhelming since I know virtually nothing about them. We are having fun.

I'm interested in seeing what else he has to say. Have we gone overboard with choices? Does that make life less satisfying? Do we keep buying more because there might be something better?

Any thoughts you want to share? Has RVing changed things?

Jaimie Hall-Bruzenak

Comments

[Wandrin]

Second that comment about too many choices in the consumer society in which we live. It can be intimidating.

The great part about living in an RV is that space and weight becomes a consideration when thinking about acquiring something. As a full time RVer, I can look at photo art and wood carvings without being tempted to buy; I can enjoy and admire the beauty and move on.

However, do I really need another Hawaiian shirt? The fact that there is no more room doesn't stop me from checking out a thrift store for another. However, a new acquisition means one of the less favored shirts in the closet is donated to the thrift store. (Keeping things in balance -- grin)

[Jaime Hall-Bruzenak]

I think we all have something like your Hawaiian shirt. Mine is books! Unfortunately I don't always offload a book for each new one I buy. I have a pile to go through...... Jaimie