About a week ago, I ventured to Ikea Paramus for the first time…ever. Yes, I know. Apparently I’ve lived under a rock. In my defense, I didn’t dorm in college nor have I ever had to decorate a space – why else would a twenty-something go to Ikea?
Look how happy (and awkward) I was when I first walked in!
Shortly after taking this picture, I took the escalator up to the infamous Showroom walk-through. Before diving into this experience, I’d like to preface by saying that I’m already a pretty “all over the place” kind of person – it’s the Gemini in me, I think. I’m highly observant with a mix of an emotional brain and adult ADD (probably).
Let’s just say that walking through the showroom stunned me and not in the most positive way. I was completely overwhelmed and had no idea where to look or where to start. My lovely friend Steph (bless her soul for helping me over the past few weeks with my room re-design) even asked, “are you OK?” – it’s like I went into shock.
I went back by myself last night more prepared, or so I thought, in hopes of actually purchasing the things I needed. Much to my dismay I was even more overwhelmed (and disappointed) when I left.
I always like to think of one of the books I read last semester in school when things like this happen. It was about people and choice. The idea (and fact – I think) that when faced with too many options people tend to feel more disappointed than happy after a purchase because they believe there might have been a better choice.
There are just WAY too many choices in Ikea.
All I could think of was, “what if I make the wrong choice? What if I choose the wrong desk!” It’s already a 40 minute drive from home (2 tolls) that I don’t want to take that often if I can help it (New Jersey… ). I’d take it home, build it (what a process), and IF I hated I’d have to then take it apart and drive it all the way back.
I thought it’d be appropriate to translate the main point of this post into Swedish:
Ikea är överväldigande och jag tror inte att det är för mig.
According to Google translate, that means, “Ikea is overwhelming and I do not think it is for me”. That’s how I feel y’all!
Or perhaps I just haven’t been prepared enough? Or maybe it just sucks because it’s not closer to home so purchases feel more definitive? Or maybe it’s just a new experience that, like anything else, takes getting used to.
I don’t know. I just couldn’t shake the feeling that I was this big weirdo because I couldn’t find just the right desk (or shades or frames)at IKEA(!) THE MEGA WAREHOUSE THAT HAS EVERYTHING?!?!
Is it safe to say that Ikea doesn’t have the solution for every thing or every one? I’m going to go with that for now to ease my mind.
Slippers & Vino 