In a world where options abound, many assume that more choice equates to more freedom, and therefore, greater happiness. However, research in psychology and behavioral economics increasingly suggests the opposite may be true: fewer choices can actually lead to a more content and satisfying life.
This counterintuitive idea, known as the paradox of choice, was popularized by psychologist Barry Schwartz. He argued that when people are faced with too many options, they experience greater anxiety, decision fatigue, and regret. While having some choice is undoubtedly empowering, having too much choice can be mentally exhausting and emotionally paralyzing.
Decision fatigue and the cost of overchoice
A key reason more choice can undermine happiness is decision fatigue. When individuals are forced to make multiple decisions in a day, i.e. what to wear, what to eat, what to buy, their cognitive resources get depleted.
Having fewer choices helps preserve mental energy for the decisions that really matter.
It’s why successful people like Steve Jobs wore the same outfit every day; not out of laziness, but to minimize trivial decisions and reduce cognitive load.
Satisfaction and regret
Another downside of excess choice is post-decision regret. When we have too many options, we’re more likely to imagine that a different choice might have been better. This “what if” mindset erodes satisfaction. Whether choosing a cellphone, a car, or even a meal, the more alternatives we consider, the less confident we feel in our final decision.
As Schwartz notes, maximizers, people who strive to make the best possible choice, are especially prone to this kind of regret and are often less happy overall than satisficers, who are content with a “good enough” choice.
Simplifying choices, enhancing focus
Simplifying your choices doesn’t mean giving up freedom. Rather, it means being selective about where you devote your decision-making energy. Practices like spiritual retreats or minimalist living intentionally reduce daily choices – what to wear, eat, or do – freeing up mental space for deeper thought, creativity, and emotional well-being.
Small adjustments can help. Try going on a “choice diet”: limit your decision-making in areas of low importance, like what to have for lunch or which brand of toothpaste to buy. Cut off the opportunity for second-guessing by making choices final—wear the pants, use the gift, delete the alternatives.
Finding the balance
Of course, fewer choices don’t always mean better outcomes. People still appreciate some autonomy and flexibility. The real key is finding the right amount of choice; enough to feel in control, but not so much that it leads to overload.
In today’s hyper-choice culture, happiness may lie not in having more options, but in having just enough and in being confident enough to choose without looking back. By simplifying decisions, we can focus on what truly matters and live more peacefully, purposefully, and happily.
