Long posts

The Acceleration of Everyday Life: A Plea for Deceleration in the Digital Age

In the new millennium, our lives have accelerated at a breathtaking pace. The introduction of the smartphone was a turning point in this development. We live in a world where information, communication and entertainment are available in real time. The lines between work and play are blurring, and the Internet demands constant attention.

I remember a time when reading the news with the newspaper was a morning ritual, and responding to email was limited to late morning or early evening. Today, with our smartphones, we are always "online" and "available. It is as if we have collectively entered a race without knowing where it will lead or when it will end.

This fast pace has left its mark. It manifests itself not only in the increasing number of people suffering from burnout, but also in our changed behaviors and feelings. We are experiencing a growing inner emptiness, often drowned out by the noise of the digital world.

What does this mean for us as a society? In the long run, we are carrying the burden of a never-ending pace that is taking its toll on our mental and physical state. How many great ideas have been washed away by the flood of emails and notifications? How many times have we missed the moment because we were too busy looking at it through the lens of our camera to share it on social media?

We need to learn to allow ourselves times of silence. Times when we put down our smartphones and allow ourselves to just be. By taking conscious breaks from constant connectivity, we create space for creativity, reflection, and real connection. The pace of the Internet since the 2000s has irrevocably changed the way we live and work. But how we deal with these changes is up to us.

Let's stop and look at the big picture. Technology is a tool to serve us, not a master to serve. By taking time - time to enjoy nature, time to be with our loved ones, and time to maintain our own inner peace - we can find a balance that is so often lacking in today's hyper-connected world.

I will place my realization here and seek that peace for myself.