Time, it’s a funny thing isn’t it? We never seem to have enough of it to get all of the things we want to done. Now is this because there really isn’t enough time, or is it simply that we aren’t prioritising the right things? We have such an intensive lifestyle in contemporary society, that time is always being measured. With this being the case, we constantly feel under pressure to be getting something done. We live in a world where contemporary technology allows us to be in constant communication with each other. Only a few decades ago mobile phones and internet chat were unavailable, stationary phones were the way which we contacted each other and prior to this, by letter.
One view is that this ease of communication has in fact taken away from the quality of the conversation. At a time when house phones were the only way to contact a friend, family member or business partner, people stuck to the plans which they made; there were less last minute cancellations. With text messaging, instant messaging and social media sites being so readily available and cheap, do people really consider their meaning or depth before clicking the button?
With fast cheap and easy means of communication, and other new technologies continually making things quicker and more simple we are subject to a relentless sensory overload all of the time. These things encourage the idea that we must cram in as much in to our days as possible.
The same goes for the fast food culture, which has emerged, eating is no longer a pleasure whereby we stop and enjoy our food, rather a necessity which gets in the way of supposedly more important matters.
It could be said that we are losing touch with ourselves and our culture, through this constant pressure which we are presented with in today’s society. So, if you feel bombarded and overloaded, why not, try introducing some more slow paced activities into your lifestyle. In fact what the hell, why not try doing nothing for a day? Take off your watch, remove your clocks and turn of your phone and laptop, sounds revolutionary hey? Well it certainly will be for the soul! Take away the pressure of measured time and slow down and really savour your experiences, whether this is a tasty meal or even something as simple as stopping to look around and appreciate your surroundings!
