So Much Excess

This past Sunday, I decided to run to Walmart before church that morning in order to avoid the crowds. Let me tell you, you see some interesting people on a Sunday morning at 9am at Walmart. But that’s beside the point.

As I was walking up and down the aisles gathering everything I needed, I was simply overwhelmed by how many options and choices there were.

Need lotion? Here’s 50+ bottles, brands, and scents to choose from.

Need cleaning supplies? Here’s 25 more bottles, brands, and scents.

When did things get so out of hand? Do we really need all of this excess?

Yes, I get it. We live in America, the land of freedom and choice, but really, have we taken this too far?

We are constantly surrounded by stimuli and choices – it’s no wonder that our stress levels are ever increasing! The number of decisions that we have to make each day has multiplied in the past years, and Walmart shelves are just one example of this.

A simple trip to grab a few necessities has turned into a huge affair. We can’t just run in and run out of a store with what we needed in the first place. Rather, we are stopped quite a few times in the store by an attractive display or aisle of too many choices (ever been to Target anyone?!).

Obviously, I don’t have a solution to this problem. All I have to offer is my perception that sometimes more isn’t better, especially when it comes to decisions in our lives. Next time you wander into a store, take a step back and just look at all the excess and targeted marketing that has been done to stimulate your senses. Maybe next time, you won’t fall for it.

xoxo Olivia