PARADOX OF CHOICE

I just finished reading Sarah Willson's recognition on a David Malouf’s essay ‘The happy life’’.

He writes that life is too fast for our body’s gravitational pole. That we need to slow down and stay still for a while, appreciate the routine and the sun rise. I completely agree with this.

It is impossible not to feel lucky that we are born, growing up and learning in today’s world. With all luxuries that technology has given us. The endless nirvana of stimuli presented to us. The educational options and career choices.

Which brings us to the paradox of choice. There is soooo much nowadays to choose from that we are not able to choose. Even if we do make that choice, we fear that the indication under the letter g. was better for us, more beneficial. Even if we do make a good choice, there isn’t satisfaction. Bringing us back to-‘neighbour’s grass is always greener than mine‘. Frustration before coffee over which paper to buy, the Guardian, the Times or the Economist. Which coffee to drink? Ness, cappuccino, black, with milk, sugar, or sweetener, ice coffee? Ice coffee, with which ice-cream? Think of the choices of jeans there is! Or the choices of retirement plans.

Of course there is an endless list of advantages on this matter. But why do people yearn for simplicity, for a ‘simple life’. And yes, if we do decide to choose the ‘simple life’ are we truly happy?

We are all in a hurry to get from A to B that we don’t stop and appreciate the sun set when coming home from the beach. We are repellent to stop and enjoy the routine and conformity of every day life.