Oh, hello there! Welcome back! I took my own advice last week and decided not to force myself to write a blog post when I was tired and cranky. I gave myself the option to skip a week. Instead of writing a blog post, I tried to catch up on things I was anxious about.
And I’m here to tell you, it didn’t really help. I was still tired and cranky.
Which leads me to today’s topic: why on earth do I think giving myself options will help me?
Let’s start with some research. Did you know that people who have to make more choices about the brand and type of groceries they buy at the store are actually unhappier than people who have fewer choices? In other words, if you go to the store for peanut butter and your options are only Jif crunchy or Jif creamy, you have to make one choice. And in only having to make that one choice, you are statistically likely to be happier in life and with your shopping experience than if you went to a store that offered you the many choices of Jif, Peter Pan, Smuckers, store brand, cashew butter, almond butter, etc., etc., etc.
You are happier and life is easier when you have fewer options.
Yesterday while at the gym, I tripped (twice, actually) and busted my left shin open on a wooden box. I got up, shook it off, cursed under my breath, and kept working out. After class, my roommate saw the state of my shin and said, “I can’t believe you kept going!”
Which baffled me for a moment, and I asked myself, “What were my other options?” It didn’t feel like a choice, because I didn’t offer myself other choices. Sitting down on the floor wasn’t offered as an option. Leaving wasn’t offered. My brain just said, “Leg still there? Okay, cool. Shake it off, let’s go.”
This makes me sound more badass than I really am, and although I am pro you thinking I’m a badass (I like having good street cred) that’s not my point. My point is that when I don’t give myself a choice, it’s easier to do the difficult thing. It’s easier to write a blog post every week when I just tell myself it has to happen. I’m less likely to be disappointed in myself later on if I limit my options.
It’s like when you start a new diet and you have to either eat or throw away all the junk food in your house because if you have a choice, you’re more likely to eat Cheetos than vegetables.
So. I’m contemplating this concept this week, and I’m wondering. Do any of you limit your own options? I’d like to hear about it if so.
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