I, too, happened to look at Barcelona recently and found easyJet much better value (and flying to El Prat, not somewhere else in Catalonia). Doesn't Ryanair look at competitors' fares or does it think prospective customers won't?
I think many passengers would be surprised about how little one really needs to take when travelling. I always travel with only hand luggage and have never had a problem doing so. Now, if you insist on taking several pairs of shoes, curling tongs, hairdryer etc., etc....