Variety is the Spice of Life
How a misguided belief can lead us down unexpected paths
Picture this.
You’re 13 years old, at an adult party trying to sneak booze.
“You know what they say, variety is the spice of life.”
All of the adults nod in agreement.
*CLICK*
A harmless phrase has now been integrated, and with it a new way of approaching life.
From this moment, the pursuit of variety becomes more than just a phrase; it morphs into a guiding principle.
While it does make sense in a lot of cases, it can subtly condition us to enter a perpetual cycle of thrill-seeking, often overlooking the value found in constancy and routine.
Understanding the Metaphor
Let's talk about this whole "variety is the spice of life" concept.
It's catchy, right?
It paints this picture of life being more exciting when you're constantly trying new things, but let’s peel back the layers a bit.
Imagine you're cooking and get carried away with the spice rack. Pretty quickly your marinara turns into a curry, far from what you really wanted.
In my opinion, when you're always on the hunt for the next new thing - the main ingredients, the stuff that really matters, can get lost in the mix.
Do you even need spice?
Personally, I’ve never met anyone that enjoyed eating a bowl of gruel, which is to say, OF COURSE YOU NEED SPICE.
Variety, is an important aspect of living a full life and growth. By its nature, every time you step outside of your comfort zone you step into something that is unfamiliar.
On top of that, unless you are willing to try a few of the things life has to offer, how else are you supposed to discover what your “favorite things” are.
It stands to say, variety has some place in life.
Where Variety Falls Short
What about the long-term effects of a life chasing variety?
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