While visiting a friend in KL, I found a new type of vending machine. I had never seen such a machine before and I found myself having a conversation with myself…
Wow! Look at all those choices – I don’t even know what half of them are! How would I decide?
It is all so overwhelming! I’m so glad I don’t have to make a choice – I’d rather NOT have a drink than have the pressure of choosing.
And then later that same afternoon, I saw something else new to me. It was an interactive display that effectively caught my attention. Wow, how would that taste? Am I hungry? Is now a good time to get some noodles?
Finally, the next day, I went to an outdoor market called a “pasar malam” about 1 km from where I was staying. It had just rained and we were a little bit early for the usual Friday shoppers so we had a good glimpse of all the options. 
Mangos, do they have succulent and not stringy mangos?
Wah! Only 10 RM for 3 kg – that’s a “bargoon”. But can we carry all the way back to SG?
And what about fragrant, flavorful, good Malaysian papaya?
And how are the prices?
Wait – what should we get for dinner?
Do we want murtabak kambing, jagung rebus, apam balik, or bihun goreng?
Is that pisang goreng I see being cooked over there? Let’s get some for dessert!
So what’s the difference between feeling empowered to choose and feeling overwhelmed by too much information? Why in one situation was I struck with first panic at needing to choose, then, being relieved in realizing I didn’t actually need to choose. And then in another situation, I was excited by the choices and eager to explore all the rich sights, smells, and challenges of making choices that would bring delight and deep satisfaction.
Could it have something to do with the fear of the unknown? Or the fear of making a “bad choice.” Was it the risk of NOT being happy with my selection?
I’ll resist telling you what I think and instead invite you to explore this 11-second video.