Too many weekend choices making you anxious and depressed? You're not alone

By John McGory 

Choices.   We make them all the time.  What to do this weekend?  Where to eat?  Who to call?  What to wear?  What to watch on tv?  Where to live and with whom? Americans have more freedom than every before in choosing what to do. Has it made us any happier?  Most likely the answer is no.

Take a look at your plans for the first weekend in August.  Is it something new and exciting?  Or is it something you’ve done over and over again and will continue to do?  Does the decision make you depressed or anxious?  Is another lousy weekend on tap? 

Same thing over and over?

This conflict of choice affects us all.  In a region like central Ohio, there are literally thousands of things to do every weekend.    You name the activity and it is out there somewhere.  Type in "fun things to do in central Ohio" and you'll come up with 9 million hits. 

But that many choices can make many people depressed, anxious or wondering if they made the right choice.

This unlimited selection of things to do is both wonderful and problematic.  Numerous studies show that an overload of choices may actually paralyze people, make them depressed or make them do what they always do. 

The choice between thousands of things and what you always do is often an easy one for some.  They will stick with what they know over and over again.  You can set your watch by their lives.  They will remain in their rut because they view it as safe.

The people who do new and exciting things find themselves wondering if they made the right choice.  To find them look at a dating service like Match.com and you will see thousands of people who continually look for someone better.  It is an endless circle of choice while happiness and satisfaction remain very elusive to them.

Next time you go to dinner with several people listen to the conversation. You will see both personality types at the table.  The discussion is always the same.  One group of people say “I always get the club sandwich” while the others say “I tried the calf liver but think the mahi-mahi would have been better.”

It is easy to put your friends and yourself into one of the two categories.  The calf liver people are always looking for something new and exciting to do this weekend and usually feel as if they made the wrong choice.    And the club sandwich people want to do what they did last weekend and, probably next weekend, feel as if they are in a rut.

Too many choices?

Where is this problem of choice leading Americans?

Psychologists David Myers and Robert Lane both conclude that the abundance of choice often leads to depression and feelings of loneliness.  Lane believes Americans are paying for increased influence and freedom with a substantial decrease in the quality and quantity of community. 

What was once given by family, neighborhood and workplace now must be achieved on an individual basis.  People’s lives are made up less of the community and more of demanding individual choices.

So what are you doing this weekend?  The same old, same old or something new that makes you feel as if you missed something else?  Maybe it is time to think about that question a little deeper and see what you are missing in your life.

Orbit Ohio is a new membership organization.  We will promote great things to do that will build your community and add fun and meaning to your life.  Take a look at our short video on things to do and keep your eye on Orbit Ohio as it sets to launch its new entertainment concept September 1, 2013.  To learn more and to sign up as a charter member go to www.orbitohio.com  The membership is free!