PT 1: LESS IS MORE
I love spirits. That should come as no surprise to a lot of you. I have found it to be so much fun to learn about and there are so many options and combinations to try that it can truly make one’s head spin. The possibilities are limitless. And it is really, really easy to get carried away with it.
I have amassed such an array of bottles over the years that after a while; I couldn’t even tell you what I had for the most part. An entire bookshelf dedicated to my open bottles and four boxes in a closet full of things that I “didn’t want to open yet” or were being held for “special occasions”.
And a lot of it went to waste. And even more, went unappreciated.
So, I have decided that it is time to officially downsize my home bar. This decision was not an easy one and it is going to be a lifestyle choice that I will undoubtedly struggle to maintain. This will probably not seem like a big deal to a lot of people. But when something you are passionate about stops bringing joy to you, then you need to take a step back and re-examine what is going on. I had to be honest about myself about why this hobby was becoming a burden and more importantly; how do I justify what I do going forward. So, I broke down my motivations into the following:
FINANCIAL
This is the most obvious. Working in the industry comes with a lot of perks and those perks tend to come in the form of free samples, if not straight up free bottles. Which is nice; but it doesn’t replace what you don’t have. Often times I found it an encouragement to run out and buy more bottles because I could technically cross whatever I just received off my list. It is very ironic how expensive free things can be.
THE PARADOX OF CHOICE
In the 2004 book “The Paradox of Choice – Why More is Less” by American Psychologist Barry Schwartz; Dr. Schwartz notes the importance of a research model called “The Happiness Scale”. With this model he concludes with the independent research of Psychologists David Myers and Robert Lane that abundance of choice often leads to feelings of depression, isolation, and that a surplus of choice more times than not, leads to “buyer’s remorse” and ultimate dissatisfaction of what you have as opposed to the positives of the purchase.
Don’t get me wrong. I am SO grateful that my options aren’t limited to simple big brand options. That was something that drove me absolutely nuts during my travels. And I am even more grateful to be in the financial position to have an overflowing option of bottles to choose from. However, I do find myself in agreement with the findings of the psychologists noted in the above paragraph. I have a massive array of quality spirits at my fingertips and I can never make up my mind as what to pour for myself.
Unless I had a specific taste for something, the decision process usually consists of me spending 15 minutes staring at what I have, pouring half an ounce of something, and rotating through three other styles of spirits because; “eh, this really isn’t what I wanted”.
KEEPING UP WITH THE JONES’
Social media has taken a sharp turn from “networking” to a handheld reminder of what you don’t have. And the F.O.M.O. is real. Between T.T.B. label releases, other enthusiasts’ collections, Facebook groups, annual release announcements, it is a constant barrage of what you do not have and it ignites a feeling more akin to a drug craving to run out and get more. I am as guilty of spreading these posts and images as anyone else.
It has become a source of anxiety. And it has become a source of anxiety because these posts and images are no longer about sharing our hobbies with other enthusiasts. It’s about showcasing your perceived social hierarchy within these groups. Where “likes”, “shares”, and “retweets” indicate your position within these societies.
None of this is done maliciously though. At least I hope not, because again, I am as guilty of this as anyone else. The human brain is wired to seek out community and acceptance. It seems to become more of an addiction, however. A subconscious feeling of if I just can show the world that I have this allocated bottle (subsequently backup bottles), larger collection (there is a fine line between collecting and hoarding), or what would turn out to be an incredibly expensive cocktail at a bar; I can prove my position in life.
This is probably also a good time to also inform any Facebook and Instagram friends that this is not my view on any of you as individuals and that I am not trying to call anyone out or ruffle feathers. This is my personal view on myself and how I am beginning to view social media overall and how it affects my relationship with my own hobbies. Y’all do you. And if you feel that you are experiencing some of the same things; then I suggest you also re-examine your motivations.
