Alright, let’s be real—we’ve never had it this good. A world of endless possibilities is at our fingertips. Hundreds of streaming services, thousands of career paths, and dating apps filled with potential soulmates (or red flags, depending on your luck 💀). Yet, instead of feeling free, we’re more stressed, anxious, and indecisive than ever. 🤯🔀 Why? Because too much choice is actually a curse in disguise. Let’s break it down!
1. Decision Paralysis – When Too Many Choices Make You Freeze ❄️🧠
Ever scrolled through Netflix for 45 minutes, only to give up and rewatch Friends for the 100th time? That’s decision paralysis in action. When we have too many options, we struggle to choose anything at all.
Psychologists call this the “paradox of choice”—instead of feeling liberated by more options, we feel overwhelmed. A famous study by Dr. Sheena Iyengar found that when shoppers were given 24 types of jam, only 3% made a purchase. But when there were just 6 choices, 30% bought something. Less choice = easier decision.
Now apply this to jobs, relationships, or even lunch—should I be a lawyer or a digital nomad? Should I text this person back or find someone better? Should I order nasi lemak or chicken rice? Too many options, and suddenly… you order nothing. XAXAXA 🤡
2. More Choices, More Regret 😭🔙
Let’s say you finally choose something—a job, a partner, a RM20 burger—but then, BAM! Regret kicks in.
“What if I had chosen the other job?”
“What if there was someone better?”
“Did I really just pay RM20 for this?!”
Psychologists call this “anticipated regret”—we’re afraid of making the wrong choice, so we either:
✅ Don’t choose at all (procrastination mode: ON)
✅ Choose something, but keep second-guessing it
This is why people ghost each other, quit good jobs for “something better,” or keep switching careers like they’re changing Spotify playlists. When everything feels temporary, we struggle to commit to anything.
3. The Illusion of the “Perfect” Choice 💭✨
Social media makes it worse. Scrolling through LinkedIn, Instagram, or dating apps makes it seem like everyone else has found the perfect option:
📈 Perfect jobs – “Wow, this guy quit his 9-to-5 and now makes RM50K a month working from a beach in Bali??”
💑 Perfect relationships – “This couple looks soooo happy, maybe I should keep looking for my ‘perfect match’ too…”
🏡 Perfect lifestyle – “She just bought a bungalow at 27?! What am I doing with my life??”
Reality check: nobody has it all figured out. The “perfect” choice doesn’t exist—it’s just a fantasy. But because we think perfection is out there, we keep searching instead of settling, leaving us more unsatisfied.
4. The Secret to Happiness: Limit Your Choices 🧘♂️🎯
So, what’s the solution? Stop treating life like a never-ending buffet. Here’s how:
✅ Set limits – Instead of endless scrolling, pick 3 options and decide from there. (Example: Pick 3 Netflix shows, then just start one!)
✅ Practice gratitude – Instead of chasing the “perfect” job, partner, or decision, focus on what’s already good.
✅ Make decisions faster – Research shows quick decisions often lead to more satisfaction than overthinking (especially for small things like food or movies!).
✅ Embrace commitment – Choosing one thing fully is often more rewarding than half-choosing a hundred things.
Final Thoughts: Less Choice, More Peace ☯️
Choice is a privilege—but too much of it can trap us in indecision, regret, and anxiety. Life isn’t about finding the best option; it’s about choosing something, making it work, and finding joy in the experience.
So, next time you feel overwhelmed by all the choices out there, take a breath, pick one, and own it. And if you really can’t decide… just go with nasi lemak. Nasi lemak never fails. XAXAXA 😆🍛
References 🔍
1️⃣ Iyengar, S. S., & Lepper, M. R. (2000). “When Choice is Demotivating: Can One Desire Too Much of a Good Thing?“
2️⃣ Schwartz, B. (2004). “The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less.“ HarperCollins.
3️⃣ West, K. (2014). “The How of Happiness: A New Approach to Getting the Life You Want. Journal of College Orientation, Transition, and Retention, 22(1).“
What do you think? Have you ever been stuck in choice paralysis? Drop your thoughts below! ⬇️💬