The Netflix Conundrum: Overwhelmed By Possibilities

We live in an age of endless options.

With a few clicks on your remote, you can access thousands of movies and TV shows from Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and more.

But sometimes having endless scrolling possibilities leads to just that — endless scrolling. You flick through title after title, unable to settle on what to watch. Decision fatigue sets in. You become overwhelmed by all the choices laid out before you, paralyzed by indecision.

I call this the paradox of endless scrolling.

We think having limitless streaming content available at our fingertips will make us happy. But it can often have the opposite effect, leaving us bored, unsatisfied and asking that age-old question, “What should we watch tonight?”

I too, constantly fall victim to the paradox of endless scrolling. There I’ll be, snuggled under a blanket, browsing through a catalog so vast I can’t see the end in sight. I’ll excitedly add title after title to My List, dreaming of cozy nights in watching my latest finds.

But then when it comes time to actually choose something, I’m frozen by indecision. Unable to choose just one, I end up choosing none.

What’s a streamer to do?

Here are a few tips I’ve found helpful to combat the paradox of endless scrolling:

• Narrow your options. Don’t aimlessly scroll through thousands of titles. Browse specific genres or your My List.
• Ask for recommendations. Friends and critics can help narrow options.
• Schedule show-watching. Don’t just watch “whatever”. Plan show nights.
• Try new limits. Only watch new releases. Or classics. Constraints breed creativity.
• Don’t be afraid to re-watch. Old favorites are comforting.
• Take streaming breaks. Read a book. Go for a walk. Streaming will wait.
• Relish the choice. Don’t see options as a burden. Enjoy exploring new titles.

Streaming services have given us a gift — endless entertainment possibilities. But with any gift, moderation is key. Implement some of these tips to make sure your streaming leads to smiling, not endless scrolling.

Happy browsing and please be sure to recommend good shows!