Variety

as in

"It’s a variety of things."

Variations: "I have a variety of reasons ... It isn’t just this or that ... It’s all wrong ... I’m just unhappy / don’t like it / don’t want to do it / don’t want to ever see you again."

There is much about the ways of God that surpasseth all understanding. Why should that surprise us when the simplest whims of women are often incomprehensible.

Compared to their reasoning, superstition seems highly rational. You don’t want to walk under a ladder? I can understand that. Things do fall off ladders, people can get hurt. Not all the time but sometimes, so if you want to divert, let’s do it. But her: “I want to go that way.” ... “Why?” ... “I just do.” ... “But it’s the wrong direction.” ... “I don’t care.” ... “You must have some reason.” ... “It’s a variety of things.”

Oh, yes, it undoubtedly is. But what they are may be forever clouded in mystery. Some ancient tribal legacy? A childhood memory? Something she had for lunch? In terms of day to day living, this vagueness can be annoying but is unlikely to be life threatening. Even she is unlikely to opt for anything dangerous, no matter how perverse she is. But applied to the old push and shove
between the two of you, it can be crippling.

She wants to start going to bed earlier. Why? “I really can’t tell you.” She starts doing everything for herself. Why? “It’s hard to say.” She suddenly finds you annoying. Why? “It’s a variety of things.” This is like fighting spooks. It’s impossible You want something you can put on the table and deal with. That’s only normal. That’s the smart way to deal with things. The man’s way.

But women see life differently. For them it isn’t necessary to have a single real reason or cause or motive as long as they can lay claim to a “variety” of ambiguous forces. They actually find something comforting in that non-specivity. Something inspiring even. It may not make any sense but it sounds good, which is enough for them.