Last week, I wrote about the importance of lifelong learning and staying curious to keep life vibrant and meaningful. We’re living in a time where access to information is unparalleled. In fact, it’s been said that we encounter more information in a single day than people once experienced in a lifetime! If true, that’s mind-blowing—and exhilarating.
But there’s a catch.
The constant flood of news notifications, emails, social media, and other digital content constantly flying at us can leave us feeling drained, overwhelmed, and less informed. I’ve experienced this firsthand.
When Curiosity Becomes Chaos
Let me share a quick story. As the teacher of an adult Sunday school class, I thought it would be a great idea to send out a weekly email with study guides. Easy, right?
Except my first attempts turned into three-hour marathons of research, rabbit holes, and completely unrelated distractions—like watching “The 30 Best Tap Dance Scenes in Movies.” By the time I finished, my email was still unwritten, and I felt completely overwhelmed.
Information overload doesn’t just slow us down—it paralyzes us. Too many options lead to decision fatigue, procrastination, or burnout.
The Costs of Too Much Information
Constant exposure to information can:
Drain Energy: Mental scrolling saps the focus we need for other tasks.
Heighten Stress: Overflowing inboxes can feel like a ticking time bomb.
Steal Joy: The process of learning can feel like a chore instead of a delight.
Ironically, instead of feeling smarter, we often end up less informed.
4 Ways to Reclaim Your Sanity
Here’s how I’ve learned to manage the deluge of information:
Be a Gatekeeper: Not all information deserves your attention. Ask yourself if it’s relevant or helpful before diving in.
Set Limits: Block time for consuming content, curate your feeds, and mute unnecessary notifications.
Embrace JOMO (Joy of Missing Out): You don’t need to know everything! Missing out can be freeing.
Take a Break: Disconnect regularly to refresh your mind. Even a short walk can work wonders.
A Balanced Approach to Learning
We live in an incredible age of knowledge, but it’s important to consume information mindfully. Think of it like savoring a fine meal: enjoy each bite, know when to stop, and leave feeling satisfied.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, it’s time to write my next Sunday school email—this time with fewer tabs open. 😉
Looking for ways to find more balance? I’d love to help! Feel free to connect or schedule a call here.
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