How fortunate we are to have the convenience of devices and appliances to make our lives a bit simpler with current technology. We can accomplish things faster and communicate more effectively, allowing us to spend our free time binge-watching our favourite shows. That can't be right, can it? I have to admit that having the comfort of technology in our daily lives while feeling like we've boosted our efficiency is surprisingly pleasant. I wonder if we have actually gotten more time back and, if so, how are we spending that time? Don't get me wrong: I support growth. We can have our groceries delivered directly to our doors at the click of a button, whatever we want, whenever we want. It's almost as if it's magic. It's incredible how technology can help those in need, but I've always wondered if we really need so much convenience in our lives and are we prepared to work more to afford that life of luxury and comfort. I know we're thankful to even have this luxury, but what I'm trying to convey is that there are certain things in life that simply cannot be rushed, and sometimes the technology that's intended to make our lives easier feels like it's taken something far more valuable away from us. This is why the slow living movement was so eye-opening for me.
I realized overtime that my definition of luxury wasn't living a comfortable life where everything was done for me. I want to be fully present in every moment, even if it means putting in more time and effort, because imagine how boring and meaningless life would be if we could just outsource everything. I realized that certain things take time for us to truly comprehend, absorb the significance, and evolve through creating a work of art or having a genuine conversation with a friend. Learning a new skill or letting go of the past. This is something we must not overlook. Sometimes it's not even about the ending but the journey itself. I understand that efficiency is important for busy people, but relying primarily on it may often take the meaning out of what we do. I used to enjoy searching for the perfect present for someone I cared about and seeing their face light up with delight, but as life grew busier, it became much easier to just buy a gift rather than spend the time crafting something or writing a thoughtful note. That's when the idea of ordering something online and having it delivered right to their door sounded like a great idea, but it never had the same sentiment. When did people's relationships become so complex?
Even with all of our technological advances, the greatest presents we can still give to one another are our ties, attention, and love. When living a fast-paced life, relaxing feels like coming to a sudden stop on a running treadmill. We could use that free time to concentrate on our next project, plan our next move, or catch up on whatever we've fallen behind on, but I've always wondered how long that would last until we hit a wall and experience burnout. The process of relaxing and resting cannot be rushed. It is not a sign of weakness or laziness, but rather a necessity for our well-being. Any technology can most likely accomplish a task more correctly and efficiently than we can, but is perfection the ultimate goal?
Also, how would we ever evolve and mould into a better version of ourselves if we didn't make any mistakes? It's good to have assistance from time to time, but I've discovered that, while technology may enhance our comfort and luxury, it can also increase our anxiety. The essentials in life cannot be truly replaced. Society might think that I'm being inefficient or that I'm not keeping up with modern times, but to me, these are things in life worth taking time for.
There is more to life than efficiency and getting things done. I've been more than simply a productive machine my whole life. I've been rushing from one task to the next, but I've ended up exactly where I'm supposed to be. There isn't a single day ahead or behind. I don't care how much I can get accomplished on my to-do list in a day because, in the end, what difference does it make in my life? Instead, I want to be able to check in with myself at the end of the day and know that the work I undertook still has meaning for me. I do want to know that I helped someone or inspired someone in some manner, and if all else fails, that I had some fun along the way.
These are the ideals I want to live by, and sometimes that means taking the longer route, which i think is OKAY.
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