Ah, Variety, the Spice of Life! Or is it?

When I was little I used to panic walking into shoe stores. The second I walked in I immediately wanted to run. The variety of options was so overwhelming, it left me paralyzed with indecision. I would look around and begin to sweat and usually just grab anything in my size, just to get out of there.

Now a days it feels like this level of variety is all around us! The grocery stores, television channels, radio stations, media, apps, beauty products, supplements, toys, clothing brands and of course shoes.

Does anyone really enjoy scrolling through thousands of television channels just to find something to watch? How many streaming services can we add? At one point is it really just too much of a selection?!

My dad loves to talk about how back in the 50's certain stores actually closed during I Love Lucy because it was so popular that shoppers were nowhere to be seen while it aired weekly.

I know many of us have a favorite, "All Purpose" store which will remain nameless for this. Walking into these stores that, "have it all" induces a sense of need that's really not there. I can't count the amount of times I intended to grab just a few things and leave with an overflowing cart. It's so common that there are lots of parodies and meme's about just this topic.

After recently renting a dumpster to purge the wild amount of stuff we have accumulated over the years, which were not in any condition to donate or sell, I am really trying to be more selective while shopping. This takes serious effort! I have to constantly remind myself I am trying to #declutter not just organize.

The thing that makes me ponder most, is that we used to be able to crack small talk pretty easily. Generally, people had common shows, sports events, news to connect on. It definitely seems harder and harder to find quick connections these days.

It's hard to tell if things will continue to magnify the way they have, but I have learned that I really appreciate local shopping, try to limit my choices and purchase mindfully. Shopping online can be your friend when it comes to getting just what you need. However, cardboard box recycling deserves a blog of its own!

• Shop local

• Limit choices

• Mindful purchasing

• Donate when possible

• Declutter over organize