More Isn’t Always Better: Moving Past the Paradox of Choice & Choosing a Path

There's nothing like a weekend in nature to remind us that freedom doesn't mean having endless options—it’s about having the courage to choose a path and embrace it fully.

This past weekend, a friend and I packed up and headed north, each in need of time and space to think and write. The place we’d chosen was tucked deep in the forest, surrounded by towering pines and draped in serene, grounding Big Mother Nature energy.

It was just the kind of place to recharge the batteries, quiet the mind, and start thinking deeply about where to focus my energy next. The cabin itself was a gem, cozy and full of character, complete with shelves lined with hundreds of books and even a movie theatre-style popcorn machine.

As if that weren’t enough, the property came with a beautiful chocolate lab named Doug, who quickly appointed himself our bush-walking guide.

Of course, the serenity didn’t make Monday’s re-entry any easier. By 9:10 a.m., I was back in front of my laptop in full “jammies-below, business-above” mode, scrambling into a meeting I’d completely forgotten about. Reality check, indeed.

Anyway… we both had big decisions to make this weekend—choices that could shape our paths for the foreseeable future. A weekend away from the noise felt like exactly what we needed to think it all through.

Once you accept that a nomadic life is possible, a certain freedom opens up. Suddenly, you can decide where and how you want to live, work, and spend your days. But that freedom brings its own challenges. Looking around at the big, wide world, full of options, can be both exhilarating and overwhelming.

I’ve felt it many times: that strange pressure of knowing you could go anywhere, do anything, or become anyone, paired with the underlying fear of making the “wrong” choice.

The paradox of choice is real.

The world may be at our fingertips, yet it’s easy to fall into a loop of “what if” questions and second-guessing. What if there’s a better career path? A new place to explore? A different future calling?

Barry Schwartz captures this perfectly in The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less. He explains how too many options can create a cycle of analysis and dissatisfaction as we get trapped seeking “perfect” answers. He describes two approaches: satisficers, who choose what feels right and embrace it, and maximizers, who endlessly search for the “best” option, often feeling they’re missing out on something better.

Sometimes, sticking with what’s familiar is easier. There’s comfort in routines, even if they don’t quite fit anymore. Leaping into something new, especially in midlife, carries its own weight—a big, uncharted step with no guarantees that what feels right today will still feel right tomorrow.

And so, when I take time out to really think, I’m looking for a bit of courage to lean into change, paired with a little peace to quiet the fear of missteps. It’s not about trying to “figure it all out” but about giving ourselves space to explore, reflect, and ultimately decide—then stand behind that choice.

Embracing the satisficer mindset isn’t about settling or giving up on dreams. For me, it’s about weighing options thoughtfully, making a choice, and then letting go of all the other possibilities. It’s about learning to feel confident in the ones we do choose.

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It’s about moving forward, rather than standing on the sidelines waiting for the ‘perfect’ answer to appear. Often, the best choice is simply the one we have the courage to commit to. Once you’ve been thoughtful and made your decision, it’s easier to quiet that voice that whispers, “But what if…?”

Listen, the world will always be full of possibilities for travelers, explorers, and dreamers. But this weekend reminded me to push away those intrusive thoughts about choosing the “right” path and focus instead on choosing my path—knowing I’ve thought it through, that it feels true, and that it’s leading somewhere meaningful.

So here’s to intentional decisions, standing behind our choices, and finding the courage to fully embrace the path we pick—even if it means leaving other doors closed. Maybe that’s where real freedom lies.