Lost in the Scroll
A reflection on how we're not lazy, we're just oversaturated, mistaking noise for nourishment.
Lately, I've been thinking a lot about the sheer volume of "stuff" we let into our lives. Not physical things, but the constant stream of information, entertainment, and demands on our attention. We've slipped into a pattern of overconsumption. Some would argue that time is no longer our greatest commodity, but attention. What we consume, we give our attention to. If that was like spending money, would you still consume it? This post is a reflection on the subtle way we might be losing touch with our own thoughts, our own priorities, and ultimately, our own edge, simply because we're stuck consuming - letting our mind get eaten! Let me know in the comments if this resonated with you or have thought about this too.
We live in a world that champions "more." More information, more entertainment, more ways to multitask. It's easy to fall into a culture of relentless consumption, convinced that every spare moment must be filled, every void instantly plugged.
Why is that?
Walking without an audiobook can feel like a missed opportunity. Eating without a screen sometimes seems unproductive. We've simply normalized the simultaneous juggling act of scrolling social media while on the go, listening to podcasts while doing chores, even watching a show while eating dinner.
Perhaps the most dangerous aspect of this overconsumption is how it transforms into a new baseline, a new normal. We often find ourselves caught in a hamster wheel of needing to be overstimulated, constantly seeking more and more input. In a strange way, it's like an addiction.
This continuous barrage of information and entertainment, while seemingly enriching, subtly erodes our ability to simply be. Quiet moments, once opportunities for reflection and clarity, now feel uncomfortable, even unproductive. We've convinced ourselves that if we're not constantly absorbing or doing, we're not maximizing our potential – that we're losing our “edge’.
This overstimulation often becomes automatic, something we're hardly even aware of. We scroll, we listen, we watch, not always out of genuine interest but out of a deep-seated need to fill every perceived void. We're bombarded by so much, and without realizing it, we can start to need that bombardment just to feel "normal".
This raises a crucial question… Are we truly present?
Are we being intentional with what we consume? Even on platforms like Substack, are we mindlessly scrolling through endless notes, or are we consciously weighing what we're allowing into our minds?
Just like the saying goes, "you are what you eat". But does what we consume not extend far beyond mere food and physical nourishment? How are we truly nourishing our souls, our minds, our spirits?
The information we absorb, the stories we listen to, the images we see – these things seep down deep into our subconscious, shaping our thoughts, beliefs, and even our sense of self, often without us even realizing the impact.
The pervasive nature of overconsumption also draws a stark contrast between consuming vs. creating. While consumption itself isn't inherently bad, the crucial questions are: how much is, and at what cost?
If by over-consuming we take time away that we would otherwise spend filling our own cup with things that truly matter – perhaps our own art, writing, photography, or cooking, or even just simply relaxing and going for a walk without any music to listen to nature – then we're losing something vital.
When we constantly feed this beast of external input, we create a new "normal" that we rarely challenge. We fail to challenge the system we've built around us, this status quo of constant demand and immediate gratification. Our minds, like any muscle, need downtime to process, rest, and recalibrate. Without that breathing room, we can become overwhelmed, unfocused, and disconnected from what truly matters.
We've fundamentally mistaken stimulation for nourishment.
The stillness feels uncomfortable because we've forgotten how to just be without optimizing every minute or layering distractions. We have trouble switching off. We don't even know how to. And when we try, oddly enough, we might even feel worse – more stressed and overwhelmed. The thoughts we've been expertly drowning out come flooding back in, demanding attention.
This isn't a rant against consumption in general, but against overstimulation. We've all been there - stuck in a doom scroll or deep down a rabbit hole of reading things, only to feel drained and agitated afterward. Our brains can only process so much. We give them no time to truly sit with what we've taken in, to think about it, ponder, ask questions, or challenge it. We don't ask how it applies to us, or how we might want to apply and integrate what we’ve learned it to our lives.
Without this crucial processing time, the flood of information just washes over us, leaving us feeling groggy and demotivated, rather than truly informed or inspired.
So, how do we begin to bridge that gap?
It doesn't require a complete overhaul of your life. Start small. Try a "digital pause" for the first 15 minutes of your day before reaching for your phone. When you're out walking, leave the headphones at home and just listen to the world around you. Before you automatically click on the next video or article, ask yourself if you truly want to consume it, or if you're just filling a void. These small acts of conscious withdrawal can begin to retrain your brain to embrace quiet. They create the crucial downtime needed to think, to tune into your own inner voice, and to ensure your actions truly align with the person you want to be and the lifestyle you want to lead. Without this space, we simply drift. Without space we can never find that inner peace.
This post is a challenge, not a condemnation. It’s a gentle nudge to recognize the subtle ways constant stimulation impacts our well-being and to consider the real benefits of reclaiming our internal space. True productivity isn't about constant doing, it's about intentional living. I’m sure if we were to peel back the layers we would find a multitude of reasons why we need so much stimulation and input of information.
To me, countering complacency means actively resisting the urge to simply go with the flow of endless consumption. It’s about creating moments for deep thought, critical questioning, and personal alignment. By consciously stepping back from the noise, you empower yourself to live more authentically, ensuring your path is truly your own, rather than one dictated by the relentless external demand for your attention. This isn't about deprivation, but about focusing on what enriches you.
While there's no one-size-fits-all way to counter complacency, I do believe we shouldn't just consume. Instead, we should use what we consume to inspire us to create.
Countering Complacency is about recognizing the subtle drift in an unlived life, challenging the question “is this all there is?” and reclaiming your vibrant self buried beneath expectations. It's an ongoing journey of awakening and authenticity. If you liked this, let me know below. Every bit of your support means a lot! ❤️
You captured it so beautifully: we mistake stimulation for nourishment, noise for meaning. And yet, the real shift begins when we stop filling every crack and start listening to the silence, the self, the stillness we’ve avoided. I personally struggle with noise, loud music, too many energies and the constant need to be busy. I prefer to sit in silence and just be with myself. Not sure if that's a condition but it's me 😂
This a signature article Stef, one of your best in my view. I’m one of the worst offenders of trying to be “productive” in life, the smart watch, the latest tech, it never ends. But then, what you’re asking us to question, deeply, is what does it actually mean to be “productive” in your personal life.
Once you get on that hamster wheel of productivity, the next hack, it’s extremely hard to get off, you become complacent, and think this is just how it is. However, you offer a great prescription, recognize it, and take small incremental steps to wean off the delusion that more is better.
Loved this piece, well done!