College often represents a newfound sense of freedom, where students face a wide range of choices—sometimes for the first time. Questions like “Where should I live?”, “What should I wear?”, or “What should I do today?” may seem simple, but the overwhelming number of options can make them difficult to answer. In a world with so many options, the challenge lies not just in making the “best” choice but in feeling satisfied with that decision.
Researchers believe that overwhelming choice is a contributing factor to depression (Schwartz, 2004). Although having no options can be equally detrimental, there is a psychological toll in constantly sifting through numerous possibilities to find the “best” one. Why would this be true? When given too many choices, people may feel disappointed about the possible opportunities they did not get to experience. The more choices available, the more regret individuals tend to experience. As a result, pursuing the “best” option often leads to disappointment—especially when the expected happiness doesn’t materialize with the “best” choice.
These feelings of stress or disappointment are accentuated by overconsumption. A materialistic mindset increases the likelihood of feeling overwhelmed by choices, as people are continually on the lookout for better products or experiences. Materialistic goals and values are negatively related to well-being (Hook et al., 2021). Researchers found that people who engage in voluntary simplicity, meaning that they simplify the extent of their consumption to only include their absolute needs, had greater well-being, happiness, and life satisfaction (Hook et al., 2021). Voluntary simplicity restrains your urge to overconsume and reduces the anxiety often associated with the need to make “perfect” decisions.
The value of simplicity and the idea that “less is more” is also true for the activities we engage in. Having variety in the activities we do in a day does not always lead to more happiness (Etkin et al., 2016). Researchers found that having many unique activities or responsibilities to do over a long time frame increases happiness. In contrast, the same variety of responsibilities in a short time frame decreases happiness.
The relationship between choice and well-being is complex—neither too few nor too many options are ideal. However, we can find a balance and reduce choice-related stress by managing our expectations and being satisfied with the potential downsides associated with a choice. Simplifying our lives by limiting overconsumption or overscheduling can also help minimize these detrimental effects. Given this, I encourage you to objectively look at your life and find ways to simplify it. Say “no” to any non-essentials, whether in your schedule, your commitments, or even your Amazon wishlist—the benefits to your well-being will be worth it.
Wojciech Kielbus
Etkin, J., & Mogilner, C. (2016). Does variety among activities increase happiness?Journal of Consumer Research, 43(2), 210–229. https://doi.org/10.1093/jcr/ucw021
Hook, J. N., Hodge, A. S., Zhang, H., Van Tongeren, D. R., & Davis, D. E. (2021). Minimalism, voluntary simplicity, and well-being: A systematic review of the empirical literature. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 18(1), 130–141.
https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2021.1991450
Schwartz, B. (2004). The Tyranny of Choice. Scientific American, 290(4), 70–75. http://www.jstor.org/stable/26047678
Wojciech Kielbus is a junior studying Neurobiology & Physiology in the College of Science with minors in psychology and chemistry. After graduation, he hopes to attend medical school and learn more about the nuances of human health and well-being. He enjoys spending time with family and friends, volunteering, and swimming.
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