Why do we feel like Life is moving too Fast? 5 Strategies to Slow Down

With the constant buzz of social media, rapid pace of technological advancements, and constant pressures of school or work, it’s no wonder why so many people feel like they are missing out on life. 

But is life really moving too fast, or are we just feeling overwhelmed by the speed at which things are changing? 

Is Life Really Moving Fast?

One major reason for feeling such a way is how smartphones have changed the way we live. We can now do things, like check our email, binge-watch movies, or consume content, with just a few taps on our phones.

Platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok have made it so that we’re constantly bombarded with new content. It’s like a never-ending stream of updates from friends, celebrities, or strangers.

Thus, we rarely get time for ourselves and feel like we’re always on the go, and forget to appreciate our blessings in life.

Statistics:

Studies have shown that people do perceive life as moving faster than ever before. 

For instance, one study found that people in the 21st century feel like they have less time as compared to people in the 19th century. 

The Impact of a Fast-Paced Life

Positive Impact (+) :

Technology has made it easier than ever to get things done quickly and efficiently. For example, learning about anything in the world with just a quick search on the internet. This instant access to information can be a real game-changer.

Negative Impact (-) :

1. Constant stress: With so much going on and consuming content all the time, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, leading to you being unable to enjoy the simple things in life. 

2. Fear of missing out, or FOMO: With social media, you may compare and see what everyone else is doing and feel like you’re not doing enough. It leads to feelings of anxiety and that everyone else’s lives are more exciting than yours. 

Strategies to Slow Down

Time management:

Plan your time wisely, so that you can get everything done without feeling overwhelmed. 

Here’s how you can do it:

• Prioritization: Identify which tasks are most important or urgent.
• Scheduling: Allocate specific time slots for different activities.
• Avoiding procrastination: Tackle challenging tasks when you’re most alert.
• Setting realistic goals: Be honest about what you can achieve in a given timeframe.
• Eliminating time-wasters: Identify and minimize activities that don’t contribute to your goals.

Make a “to-do list” and prioritize tasks to get the most important things get done first while take time out for yourself, or engage in hobbies. 

Here’s how to create an Effective To-Do List:

• Write tasks down: This frees up mental energy and provides a clear overview.
• Chunking: Break large tasks into smaller, manageable steps.
• Use categories: Group similar tasks together (e.g., work, personal, errands).
• Add deadlines: This creates a sense of urgency and helps with prioritization.
• Review and update regularly: Keep your list current and relevant.

Some days won’t go as planned, and that’s okay. Experiment with different techniques to find what works best for you

Mindfulness:

Be present and focus on what you’re doing right now rather than worrying about the future or being sad about your past.

For instance, take a few deep breaths and focus on the feeling of the air going in and out of your lungs to feel more calm and centered, even when things are hectic.

There are various ways to practice mindfulness:

• Mindful commuting: Pay attention to your surroundings during your daily commute instead of getting lost in thoughts.
• Mindful listening: Give your full attention when someone is speaking to you.
• Mindful chores: Focus fully on the task at hand, whether it’s washing dishes or folding laundry.
• Mindful breaks: Take short “mindfulness breaks” throughout the day to check in with yourself.
• Mindful Observing thoughts: Watching your thoughts come and go without getting caught up in them, like watching clouds pass in the sky.

It’s normal to face difficulties when starting a mindfulness practice:

• Wandering mind: When you notice your mind has wandered, gently bring your attention back to the present.
• Impatience: Remember that mindfulness is a skill that develops over time. Be patient with yourself.
• Discomfort: Sometimes being present means facing uncomfortable emotions. Practice observing these feelings without judgment.

Remember, mindfulness is a practice. It’s about consistently coming back to the present moment, even when your mind wanders.

Gratitude:

Focus on the things you’re thankful for, no matter how small they are. It could be something as simple as enjoying a beautiful sunset or getting a good grade on a test. 

By focusing on the positives, your perspective changes and you feel more fulfilled with the amount you have or get.

Ways to Practice Gratitude:

• Gratitude journaling: Write down three things you’re grateful for each day.
• Express appreciation to others: Tell people how much you appreciate them.
• Mindful appreciation: Take time to appreciate positive experiences.
• Gratitude walks: Notice and appreciate things in your environment during a walk.
• Small Things Matter: Gratitude doesn’t have to be for big things:
  • A warm cup of coffee in the morning
  • A kind word from a friend
  • A moment of quiet in a busy day
  • The feeling of sun on your skin

By regularly practicing gratitude, we can indeed shift our perspective to focus more on the positives in our lives.

Minimizing exposure to stimulus:

Boredom allow our minds to wander and explore new ideas, which can lead to increased productivity, make the hard tasks seem enjoyable, and gain insight into who we truly are.

For example, imagine you’re on a long car ride without any electronics to keep you entertained. At first, you might feel antsy and bored, but as you start to let your mind wander, you might find yourself daydreaming or coming up with new ideas.

To detox your dopamine, try to embrace boredom instead of reaching for your phone or another distracting stimulus. 

The Journey Matters:

In the book “The Alchemist,” by Paulo Coelho, the main character Santiago goes on a journey to find a treasure but ends up discovering much more. Along the way, Santiago learns the importance of enjoying the process of life, rather than solely focusing on the end result. 

This lesson is a powerful one, as it reminds us that happiness should not be based solely on achieving “certain outcomes.”

For example, when learning a new skill, like getting good at football, you might struggle to juggle at first, and it can be frustrating to feel like you’re not making progress.

However, if you focus on enjoying the process of learning and practicing, you might find that you enjoy playing even if you never become a professional player.

The joy comes from the journey itself, not just the end goal of being able to play perfectly. 

By doing so, you can find joy and fulfilment in every step of your journey and achieve extraordinary outcomes.

Conclusion:

While the rapid advancements in technology and global connectivity have opened up new avenues for learning and growth, they have also contributed to a sense of constant urgency and information overload. 

However, it is important to recognize that the pace of life is not inherently good or bad; it is how we choose to navigate and adapt to it that matters.

The journey of life is not just about reaching the destination; it is about enjoying the process, embracing the challenges, and finding joy in the present moment.

This article is a reminder to consider our own pace of life and make conscious choices to find a balance that works for us. 

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References:

1. Shellenbarger, S. (2020, March 10). Feeling Burned Out? Here Are Ways to Find Joy in Each Day. The Wall Street Journal. https://www.wsj.com/articles/feeling-burned-out-here-are-ways-to-find-joy-in-each-day-11583760414
2. Smith, J. (2021, September 2). How to Manage Stress in a Fast-Paced World. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/cultural-stress/202109/how-manage-stress-in-fast-paced-world
3. National Institute of Mental Health. (2021). Stress. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/stress/index.shtml
4. Coelho, P. (2014). The Alchemist. HarperOne.
5. Hart, E. (2020, June 24). How to Slow Down and Enjoy Life More. Tiny Buddha. https://tinybuddha.com/blog/how-to-slow-down-and-enjoy-life-more/
6. Stetson, J. (2019, July 9). The impact of boredom on our lives. MIT News. https://news.mit.edu/2019/impact-boredom–our-lives-0709
7. “Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity” by David Allen
8. “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey
9. Journal of Educational Psychology (for academic studies on time management)
10. “Mindfulness: An Eight-Week Plan for Finding Peace in a Frantic World” by Mark Williams and Danny Penman
11. “Full Catastrophe Living” by Jon Kabat-Zinn
12. Mindfulness journal (for peer-reviewed research on mindfulness practices)
13. “Thanks!: How Practicing Gratitude Can Make You Happier” by Robert Emmons
14. “The How of Happiness” by Sonja Lyubomirsky
15. Journal of Positive Psychology (for scientific studies on gratitude)