Slow down you move too fast

Modern life is riddled with complexity and the amount of information we’re consuming on a daily basis is mind-bending. Scientists have estimated that as much as 74 gigabytes of data is being filtered through our brains each day. That’s like watching 16 movies over 18 hours.

Before we even open our eyes our thoughts begin to wander. Then, bleary-eyed, many people turn to their phones. A quick scroll of social media can send you down the rabbit hole. Before you know it you’ve caught up on the latest conspiracies, lamented your sporting team’s loss, watched a string of cute cat videos and been enlightened by Jenny’s drunken Facebook rant from the night before — and that’s all before 7am.

We are being bombarded by data and the vast majority of it is useless. What’s worse, though is that in this “age of information”, the rate of consumption is increasing by about 5 per cent each year. Soon we’ll soon be taking in more movies than there are hours in a day.

Technology has delivered many benefits but the rapid, unchecked and often unsafe use of it is having a huge impact on our lives. But it’s not just about technology, for it can make life more simple, too. Somehow, we’re accumulating complexity in the way we run businesses, how we go about solving problems and in the personal choices we make.

This constant sense of chaos and speed is causing a great deal of stress and disease and many people are starving, emotionally and spiritually, because of it. But living simply is key to a good life. The external world can be seen as a distraction, one that keeps us locked in a particular, and binary, way of thinking — it can limit our sense of internal freedom and expansion.

The Taoist spiritual text the Tao Te Ching gives great insights for achieving a well and balanced life. Contemplating the Tao can provide an antidote to the chaos, confusion and increasing complexity of our times. In it, simplicity, together with patience and compassion, are considered the foundational pillars of living with integrity — that is being true to ourselves, in respect of the natural flow and order of life, and in service to others.

Simplicity demands patience, and patience requires presence. And thus, a more sustainable, and quietly powerful approach to life is adopting the philosophy of “little, and often”, rather than “all, right now”. Be mindful of what you consume and choose your thoughts, words and actions wisely. They matter, as they shape your reality and influence your sense of peace in every moment.

Creating simpler ways of living means removing unnecessary distractions and doing less. Time is precious. Don’t whittle away your life with overthinking and too much stress. As author and psychologist Richard Carlson contends, it’s important to let go of worry. “Don’t sweat the small stuff, and it’s all small stuff”, he says. It helps to gain a wider perspective. Laying on the ground and staring up at the sky gives you an expanded view and offers new ways of seeing things — it can help to remind you of the bigger picture.

Finally, one of the most beneficial things you can do to combat complexity is to plant a tree. It can be a beautiful meditative experience, so get your hands in the dirt and cultivate new life. The world is swimming with information and complexity. Do your bit to keep it simple. Detox from technology and distractions and you’ll feel less stressed and much happier for it.

This article was first published in The West Australian in Renée Gardiner’s weekly column in Agenda, 14 May 2022.