Too Many Choices = Missed Happiness

Sometimes the people who seemingly have very little can be the happiest people around.  Have you noticed that?  Have you noticed a trend with people who live unhappy lives?  It's not a new concept by any means. Nor is it an original idea from me...

I've had some conversations lately around this topic and the thought that too many choices (especially in this country) leads to unhappy people.  Sometimes we become obsessed with finding just the right thing only to never get anything at all because we missed the boat.  To "settle" for something is offered considered a bad thing in this country.  But I think the bottom line is that people who lead simple lives are simply happy.  It's rather obvious if you think about it and most of us already know this.

Stop and look around you once and a while.  See all the choices?  We have become a culture that is obsessed with excess.  Obsessed with picking just the right movie.  Or the perfect place to live.  Or the perfect car (it's no wonder most people don't like their brand new cars after a year or two because it's no long the most perfect one with all the new choices!)

What happened to be satisfied with "good enough"?  To settle is not a bad word.  Sure, it can be if taken out of context - just about anything can be.  But settling for just what you need at this moment is not so bad is it?  I've known many perfectionists and most of them struggle with true happiness.  This is not to say you shouldn't push yourself - try to be the best.  It's just that being the best shouldn't be your answer.  How about the joy in just trying?  How about being happy in the "running journey" and not the destination?

Success is not the key to happiness.  Most people are successful because they are happy.  Be satisfied with what you have.  Don't let all the choices around you make you feel like you are getting ripped off and are not as happy as you could be.  It gets in your head.  That's the point of advertising - to make us feel we need something that we usually don't need.  Sometimes all this is easier said than done.

Tips on happiness through simplicity

HAPPY Running & Dirty Feet,
 Jessica

Comments

[Anne]

I think many people are coming to the same realization, if only because they no longer have as much choice. I know I've been forced to live a lot more simply and have not been this happy in many, many years.

[Abbie]

I'm actually reading a book called The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin (@gretchenrubin). You should check it out, you might be interested in reading it!

[Darrell]

Great perspective and I tend to agree with you/it.

[Christina]

I completely agree with this. It's often when we think we need more that we become dissatisfied with what we do have, and we fail to appreciate what we already have as well.

I would also add that many people today think of self-opposed limits as a bad thing, as if we aren't "experiencing life to the fullest" when we put up boundaries, when really those boundaries are what allows us to live freely because we aren't constantly wondering if we should be doing this or that.