Too Many Choices, Not Enough Meaning
Why Abundance Can Feel Suffocating
Ever opened Netflix, spent half an hour scrolling, and still come up empty-handed? You’re not alone—and you’re not just imagining things. As it turns out, having an abundance of choices (from endless streaming queues to bottomless job boards) can leave us more anxious than fulfilled.
“More choice actually leads to less satisfaction,” says psychologist Barry Schwartz in The Paradox of Choice. By default, we assume that if a little choice is good, a lot must be better. In reality, our capacity to process information—cognitive bandwidth—is limited. Once options multiply, we get so overwhelmed by possibility that we stall, second-guess, and sometimes bail on deciding altogether.
The Cognitive Trap: Why We Freeze
A famous study by Professor Sheena Iyengar from Columbia University helps illustrate this. And you probably have heard of it, too. She found that when grocery shoppers were presented with 24 jam flavors, they were less likely to make a purchase than those who saw only six. It’s called “choice overload,” and it’s not just about jam. It applies to picking a new movie, an outfit, a partner on a dating app, or even a job listing on LinkedIn.
Why does this happen?
Analysis Paralysis: Our brains have a limited capacity for weighing pros and cons. Too many inputs lead to decision fatigue.
Fear of Regret: The more options we have, the more we fear missing out on a better one. This can lead to emotional dread, sometimes called a “choice hangover.”
The Grass-Is-Greener Syndrome: With so many doors open, we’re convinced the perfect option might be just one more click away.
When More Becomes Less
“Freedom of choice is a wonderful thing, but only up to a point.”
– Barry Schwartz
In an age of infinite possibilities, it’s ironic to feel trapped by abundance. Job seekers constantly scroll listings, convinced the next posting might be “the one.” Binge-watchers open a streaming service only to burn precious time flipping through titles, half-watching trailers, and feeling unsatisfied. And don’t get me started if you are looking to buy an apartment.
The culprit? A subconscious expectation that perfect exists—some show, some job, some partner (or some apartment…) that’ll check every box we’ve ever scribbled down in our mental wish list. The result is that our standards skyrocket, yet our contentment plummets.
That’s where the dissatisfaction seeps in. Even when we finally choose something, we often question it. “Could I have done better?” “Is there a better series?” “Is there a higher-paying job?” Instead of enjoying what we’ve picked, we’re haunted by the specter of all the roads not taken.
The Emotional Toll: Discontent & Dystopia
Choice overload is a prime example of how “progress” can backfire. Instead of feeling liberated, we can feel perpetually unsatisfied—like we’re always missing out on something better. In a world that’s already unhinged, the added stress of endless decision-making can tip us into cynicism or apathy.
Emotional Consequences
Increased Anxiety: The fear of making the wrong choice leaves many of us in a low-level state of panic.
Decreased Satisfaction: Psychologist Daniel Gilbert notes that when we have the option to reverse or question a decision, we end up less happy overall.
Heightened FOMO: The more options, the more we feel everyone else might be choosing better than we are.
Reclaiming Clarity: Three Strategies
Set Intentional Limits
Pick a category or theme before you dive into a sea of choices. If you’re searching Netflix, decide “I want a feel-good comedy.” Limiting your scope narrows the field and helps you actually make a selection.
Embrace Imperfection
Accept that there may not be a single “perfect” option. By lowering the bar from perfect to good enough, you remove some of the burden of regret. Tim Ferriss calls this “the minimum effective dose”—doing (or choosing) just enough to achieve a desired outcome without overcomplicating things.
Focus on Meaning Over More
Instead of maximizing every choice, look for meaning. Is the job aligned with your values? Does the series reflect something you’re truly curious about? Prioritizing depth over breadth can make decisions more fulfilling.
The Beauty of Constraints
Sometimes fewer options can feel freeing. Consider the minimalist approach, where constraints drive innovation and creativity. Companies like Apple have long thrived on limiting product lines to a few core offerings. Similarly, when we pare down our personal choices, we invest more time in enjoying them—and less time hunting for alternatives.
In the words of Henry David Thoreau, “Our life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, simplify.” He wasn’t dealing with Netflix or apartment listings (come on, it’s horrible), but the principle holds. In a hyperconnected era that bombards us with choices, the path to sanity might just lie in strategic self-limitation—choosing to filter, to decide quickly, and to be at peace with the results.
Choose to Choose
If the modern world’s gift is infinite possibility, then its curse is decision fatigue. By acknowledging choice overload as a real psychological hurdle, we can take back control. It’s not about shunning abundance altogether—it’s about mastering it. When we stop obsessing over how many options we have and focus on what resonates with us personally, we discover that fewer, more meaningful choices can actually enrich our lives.
So yes, open Netflix—but set a time limit. Browse the job boards—but keep your core priorities in mind. LOOK FOR AN APARTMENT—BUT DON’T THINK “WHAT IF…?”. The real power lies in choosing to choose, rather than letting infinite options choose for you. And if you find yourself lost in a swirl of too many possibilities, remember: sometimes freedom is best enjoyed with a side of gentle self-imposed constraint.