Is anyone else just overwhelmed by how much nice stuff is available?

[EligibleTern]

I'm going to try my best to word this post properly as it's hard to explain exactly what I mean - but, has anyone else found that now that there are so many lovely things available, they just don't want any of them?

It feels like everything, from beauty products to items for the home, is so well-designed and beautifully packaged, with multi-item ranges that work harmoniously together, that it's just overwhelming. I remember when it felt special to find a lovely thing, but now there are millions of them from every corner (and unless it's genuinely handmade and locally sold, you can get anything anywhere - no more of that "bringing back something you can only get in X place" from a holiday anymore, you can just order it online when you get home), I've just stopped coveting things.

Similarly for merchandise for films and TV shows, etc., basically anything you're into - there seems to be official merchandise for EVERYTHING now, vast ranges of it, and it just feels like absolutely everything is as commodified as it could possibly get.

With Black Friday deals and Christmas coming up, I'm being bombarded with ads for beautiful things and am just thinking, "Oh no, what now," rather than "Ooh, that looks nice." Does anyone else feel like this - that goods in general have just lost their allure?

On the day after Black Friday, our local independent bookshop has Civilised Saturday. Come along, have a free glass of sherry, buy a book if you want, but otherwise just have a chat. It’s lovely,

Yes I agree with this. I’ve actually made a pact with myself to stop buying things in 2026. I’ve got tons of beauty products, clothes etc. I think oh it’s only £15 for that top…before I know it I’ve purchased 4 things and spent £60.
it’s silly but yes, it all looks so lovely & that’s how they take our money

Not personally but this is how advertising and marketing works! I just scroll by ads.

I think it’s the thing of everything being Instagram perfect - say kids birthday parties. We used to have party hats and blowers and some kind of fun activity or games with friends. Now there are themes and balloon arches and every kind of decoration should you want it. Actually kids still want to play with their friends and it’s keeping up with the Joneses that now feels a bit bleak maybe? There’s definitely something unsettling about it all as you’ve identified OP.

Isn't that what the OP is saying though? 🤔 Or am I totally missing the point?

I only get this feeling when I return to "civilisation", but especially the UK. Where I live in the middle of the mountains in Italy, there's a small supermarket and a handful of very practical shops like butchers, bakers etc where the offering never changes. It's extremely dull. When I come back over to the UK it's like that scene in Charlie and the chocolate factory and I'm both amazed and overwhelmed. Sometimes I miss being able to buy something lovely but most of the time I'm glad I don't have to think about "stuff".

I agree. I find it hard to chose anything because there’s too much choice.

I think it’s too much. To the point where I made myself get presents by the 1st of December, since yesterday I am not stepping into any shop for the entire month of December, not buying stuff online either. The only thing I’m going to the shops for is fresh fruit. We’re having a takeaway on Christmas Eve, I work Christmas.
So much crap!!!

DH and I were saying this about Christmas markets. We used to love wandering along mulled wine in hand looking at all the unusual things that you could only buy at a Christmas market or craft fair. Now there’s just nothing new. It’s the same stuff you can buy anywhere. We were unsure if it is just us getting old and having seen it all before or if the market is actually saturated.

I shop in Aldi because the choice is limited. I'm in and out in 20 minutes. Whenever I end up in large supermarkets I get completely overwhelmed.

I think all the people here saying "I feel the exact opposite" are actually, in a way, feeling the same - just the other side of the coin - namely, disenchantment with consumer capitalism.

Which may well turn out to be a good thing. We can't go on filling the world up with tat, so the more people who reject constant consumption, the better.

For sure I get the urge to shop and acquire the "perfect thing" ... but I try to manage it by being ultra-specific about what I'd like, and only buying secondhand, so I have to wait for it to come up in the exact right colour, texture, size, price etc on eBay or in the charity shop. It hardly ever happens, so I don't end up buying much, which is a win.

And I do feel like giving a good slap to anyone (individual or corporate) who starts up a new skincare, haircare or cosmetics line. WE'VE GOT ENOUGH NOW THANKS. Looking at you, celebrities!

I very much agree. Instagram is constantly showing me beautiful clothes/home stuff (because of the stuff it knows I like). I used to have to hunt for really nice pieces and it was like finding treasure. Now there is too much choice. And it’s a picture on the screen too, so not something tangible that I can see and touch. There is totally too much tat too, it just depends where you are looking.

I wanted some new moisteriser the other day, just the most basic sort. Went to Boots and the choice was overwhelming, each bottle or tube having a "unique" claim, none of which I believe.

Socks are another thing. Every supermarket or clothing store has racks of them, usually with some "cute" design. The city near me has at least two shops only selling socks. I like nice socks as much as the next person but I don't need an infinite number of designs, and I mend them if they get holes.

The older I get the easier I find to ignore all the marketing and live more simply.

Absolutely this! I become overwhelmed by the choices available plus conscious of how much everything costs. Same if a pub menu is really extensive I never know what to choose. I think mine is a peri M thing as I never used to be indecisive when I was younger but also l do get sensory overload quickly these days so I hate he brightly lit cosmetic aisles and try not to spend much time there.

Wow! I'm jealous of your fab Italian lifestyle 💗👏

Yes, I think it is two sides of the same coin - there's just too much stuff at every level. But what's surprised me is getting the same negative feelings from seeing so many lovely things available everywhere as from seeing loads of poorly made/designed things.