Information Consumption Overload
The way we consume information has changed dramatically in the past twenty years.
Instead of relying on radio, TV or newspapers many of us head to the internet and social media. We are overwhelmed with information. Many people feel we are in information consumption overload. More and more people are simply choosing to opt out entirely because they feel maxed out.
Last year I started opting out of all online marketing.
I unsubscribed from places like Anthro, Mod Cloth etc. I feel better having done that. Less temptation to spend money on stuff I don’t need.
The amount of blogs I read has decreased dramatically over the past couple of years.
Blogging is my preferred form of social media because it feels more connected and authentic than Instagram. I am very loyal to the blogs I have chosen to keep reading, commenting almost every time I read them.
I follow more people on Instagram but I interact with very few of them. Simply “hearting” someone does not feel like an authentic interaction to me. I don’t feel the need or desire to interact with people on Instagram. They feel as lifeless, disconnected and unreal to me as the models in a Vogue magazine. Is that because they have curated unrealistic feeds of inauthentic lives?
A study by the owners of Instagram, Facebook, revealed that when people spend lots of time passively consuming information – reading but not interacting with people – they report feeling worse afterwards.
A girlfriend of mine succinctly described this as diminishing ourselves because of the fake and highly curated images of someone else, AKA the “comparison trap”.
Are you guilty of falling into the comparison trap?
I know I can feel woefully inadequate if I spend too much time scrolling Instagram. I’m very thankful my feed is broken up with cute pugs and French bulldogs.
For daily news I currently read three different websites hoping that somewhere, in the middle of all the bias, lays a remote version of the truth.
There is too much fake news and highly edited newsfeeds to trust any one site.
Some days I avoid reading the news altogether, I only skim the headlines and head straight the comedy section. The news is too overwhelming and depressing.
Limiting where and how I choose to consume information is curating my personal feed of how I want to view the world.
Do you seek out websites and forums of like-minded people that affirm your already held beliefs?
Are we creating a greater chasm because we choose to no longer be exposed to depressing realities and outrageous opposing views?
Is the way we consume information shaping our lives?
Linking up with Patti for Visible Monday, Turning Heads Tuesday and Fancy Friday
I can understand where you’re going with this. Information overload can leave you exhausted.
That being said, I admit spending loads of time online: reading blogs, scrolling down Instagram… but I rarely interact with anyone. I’m not a very social person, and as my work is all about interaction, I need some quiet time at home. The best thing about blogs/Instagram is that you can also enjoy them without interacting, reading the stories and looking at the pictures. I also tend to ignore people who try to interact with me (on the blog or on Instagram, or even offline). I’m not being rude, just exhausted (by work).
What I’m trying to say is that it’s OK not interacting with the whole world all the time. And it’s OK to have curated Instafeeds that bring joy without being overwhelming or needy. I find a lot of pleasure seeing total strangers’ Insta pictures (my feed is mostly art, architecture and kittens), and I love posting all sorts of random pictures so much that I have no less than 3 Instagram accounts…
That is so interesting that you prefer less or no interaction. I’m the opposite.
I sure do agree that reading my favorite blogs is far more interesting to me than a flash on Instagram. Yes. . you look Fantastic on IG, but I still want to read how you got that great smile, etc. Also, I’m a fan of Rachael Maddow and she usually gets me updated with the latest. I also look forward to new you tube videos from mature content creators. Other than that, my family keeps me laughing and nothing is better than a belly shaking laugh. Enjoy your cool weather.
I’m not terribly good with videos. I feel like they take too much time. I know that they are on the upswing for sure.
I agree that laughter is the best medicine for sure.
i´m the dinosaur without insta, facebook etc… i dislike forums and the televison. i´m listen to the radio – a lokal station that has no advertising but lots of art and culture and the news are not lurid.
and i read blogs – just a few – but like you i´m very loyal to them.
i need quietness. and not to much details please 😀
xxxx
It looks like you chose the perfect life for your desire for quiet. I don’t know that I would be well suited to such an isolated life.
Before I go into detail about how I feel about news and social media, I want to comment on your fantastic outfit. I love that printed blouse, as it is so unique and those pink boots are beautiful. You know I love that handbag as well .
These are dark times here in the US. I turn away from the temptation of not consuming news, but I feel that now, more than ever, we are best served to be well-informed.
I do tend to follow newsfeeds that rienforce my own beliefs, but I do spend some time reading other sites that are coming from an entirely different place. What I do not like is the divisiveness on both sides.
As for Instagram, I enjoy scrolling to some extent. I realize these are highly curated versions of life, but I do follow some women that I think are visionaries, as well as some folks who just have a great sense of humor . I like to follow artists and jewelry designers too.
Like you, I feel a deeper connection with women on the blog. However due to recent back pain I have much more trouble sitting and following as I would like to.
❤️❤️❤️
Elle
https://theellediaries.com/
I’m sorry to learn of your back pain Elle. Back pain makes everything difficult. I hope you are feeling better soon.
Yes, yes and yes. You’re making good choices. A good thing about the change in news media is expanded freedom of choice; a bad thing is people making wrong choices among them. And you’re right about social media. We have to control it, not let it control us. Use it sensibly as a tool; don’t let it depress us. I’m happy to see you’ve figured out how to live in our new world. Great subject for a post.
Thanks Ally : )
That lovely floral blouse is so unique and your styling is inspiring. The pink boots are especially good. This look makes me feel happy.
I’m not a consumer of social media and I’m following under 25 wonderful bloggers. I am connected to way too many retailers and need to start some deleting. Like you. I’ve been avoiding the news in order to generate a more calm and grounded well-being.
Both my husband and I are interacting with our devices far more than we should. Sometimes I think we’re all hypnotized by screen time.
They say that it becomes addictive. People are no longer capable of “doing nothing”. They feel the need to be looking at their phones all the time.
Generating more calm in life is something we could all use.
I read the New York Times online everyday, but that is the only news outlet I look at with any regularity. I don’t use Facebook except as a link to my blog, so for me, it’s blogging or IG. The only retailers I receive emails from are a couple that I’ve purchased from. Of course, that said, I do go through my IG feed twice a day, but I interact regularly with several of the people I follow.
I would rather spend more time interacting with the people whose company I enjoy in person, but unfortunately, most of my friends live in other cities!
I’m like you Shelley! I’m going to be happy when my husband is finally back home soon.
I’m much the same as you, Suzanne. I am a loyal follower of a choice of blogs, but rather than on Instagram (I haven’t made it there yet, and possibly never will) I am on Facebook, which I scroll through and mostly use to keep in touch with friends (including some previously long lost ones) and promote by blog a little bit. Like you, I think all the information we are being fed can be quite overwhelming and at times I do not follow the news too closely, as it makes me feel depressed. If I do choose to follow the news, I only read one website and, wait for it, an actual, real life newspaper! xxx
You’re not missing much on Instagram Ann!
Good for you for reading a real newspaper still. I have quite a bit of nostalgia for sitting on Saturday mornings lingering over a long breakfast and reading the newspaper with my husband.
I’m 50/50 on all the media. It is both good and bad. Good because I can keep up with people and things I am interested in. Bad, because it sucks time. I finally looked at my social media and decided to trash Twitter. I wasn’t getting much interaction on them. Facebook is for family and far away friends. I have a few organizations I follow on there too. Instagram I like a lot. I’m more of a visual person. I do a blog, then I also follow others on Bloglovin. I constantly update what I look at. I want to be able to read and enjoy content not just follow for the sake of following.
I agree…I never follow for the sake of following. If I follow someone it is because I’m interested in their feed or them.
My favorite pastime is browsing though my favorite blogs. When I have spare time, that is where I go I took a break from IG about 5 weeks ago (not the first time). and I keep saying I’ll get back into it, but have not found a reason to PLUS it is a lot of work to maintain an account that supports a blog. AND it seems like most accounts are posting the same thing, the originality that used to exist on Insta does not seem to be there any more and there is too much pushing of ads and product. I am active on Facebook, but mainly for business as I don’t get much out of the feed anymore.
So blogs like yours are where I go for inspiration – thank you!
xx
Suzanne
http://www.AskSuzanneBell.com
I agree that Instagram can be loads of work if you want to maintain it as the professionals suggest. I can’t be bothered. I just post what I’ve already posted on my blog or items I’m selling in my shop. I am often guilty of not creating fresh content for Instagram.
I started reposting what was on my blog when I saw that so many of my readers stopped going to my blog but continue to follow me on Instagram. It is the only way I can still connect with them.
If I travel though or see something unique I will often post it on Instagram and not on my blog. It is easier just taking a photo than writing a full blog post.
I do notice the constant barrage of ads on IG now. It turns me off.
First off, you look fab. Loving the leather midi and that crazy good floral blouse.
My access to social media is very limited as I don’t own a mobile phone so only look at it when I am at home on my PC. I do enjoy scrolling through IG when I have a spare minute but find it very overwhelming – I don’t follow that many people as I only joined it to keep up with friends who no longer blog. There’s a few people I feel obliged to follow as I know them in real life and it makes me laugh at how much they touch up their photos and dress up for the camera – I swear if I didn’t already know them I wouldn’t recognise them in the street.
Like you, I cut down on the amount of blogs i followed a while ago. I try and only read ones who interest me and I find easy to comment on. When I struggle to know what to say I know that we aren’t compatible (obviously, judging by the length of this comment, I have no problem reading or commenting on yours)! xxx
Ha! I’m glad you don’t have difficulty commenting on my blog. I’d hate to lose you entirely to IG.
Ideally I’d prefer to comment and write on IG with my computer, but as I own Macs I don’t think there is a program that allows that. I have to do it all on my phone which is a nightmare. That is why I like to copy and paste the text from my blog. It would be impossible to write that much myself.
I actually stopped watching the news because it all seems so negative. Although I’m sure some people think I’m very ignorant when they start talking current events. I like my own little world…of kitties and clothes!!
But there is definitely overload. Just the choices in our grocery stores can be overwhelming. I mean, how many different types of ketchup do we need??
As for that blouse you’re wearing?? That’s something we all need. Clothes that make us feel fantastic. There’s no better way to spend my money…in my opinion!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Since I started my Etsy shop I’m looking at clothing a bit differently than I did in the past. Often when I’m thrifting I feel it is more work than play. It has slowed down my desire to purchase clothing, which isn’t a bad thing. Spending money on experiences is more important to me now.
Suzanne,
Yes, first the outfit. I love the bold colors of your top and that bag is luscious and rich, love it! My blog is down today, so no Turning Heads Tuesday until next week.
I feel very much like you do with IG. I don’t spend much time on there as i agree, it is all visual. I enjoy the interaction and hearing about the goings on of bloggers and reading their blogs. It is more of a connection and more personal. I enjoy reading and commenting on people’s blogs and spending my time there. I will watch news briefs streaming choosing what I want to view. It is a tough world with much negative news so it can be quite disheartening at times.
Have a great day
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
I’m wondering if we are a dying breed of bloggers though, the ones that prefer blogging over IG. So many people have dropped their blogs to run to the ease of IG.
A little late to the party, but I am 100% in agreement with you on this, as you know!
I have even downplayed my blog now although love it as a point of interaction when I need it. I am finding writing daily emails to a couple of friends where we encourage each other in daily rituals ( one yoga and one writing stories) to be what my soul needs. I feel honoured that you still interact with my blog!
Xo Jazzy Jack
I love your poems and photos. They are a wonderful respite to all the negativity and harshness of our world. A bit of a calming meditation for me.
Your idea of daily emails to friends to encourage each other is a great one. It makes you accountable.
I agree on IG often being fake and about information overload. Really I cannot manage everything. Not even my favourite blogs like yours. I am always, always behind and feeling guilty.
Nevertheless, you look stunning in this outfit. And you don’t make me feel inadequate.
Greetje
I totally understand that all we are feeling overwhelmed by so much information and also feeling disconnected from all these cold and perfect images in Instagram. Sometimes I’ve felt the famous ‘fear of missing out’ or got into the comparison trap!
Glad that there are still Blogs and lovely people rocking them! I really like to keep in touch with people, even if it’s becoming ‘old fashioned’.
And you look gorgeous in this outfit, love your purple bag and those boots!. You rock your leather skirts!
besos
I have been catching up with blogs, as I haven’t had much time in the past month to read them, and this is exactly what I have been thinking lately! I love reading blogs, as I find it much more authentic too- and I have gotten so disillusioned with Instagram. I don’t follow too many “perfect” accounts, but there is just SO MUCH. I could spend hours and still never reach the bottom, and there is such a thing as too much inspiration. I was finding that I would spend time scrolling, even when I wasn’t posting myself and just wasting time, and it was taking away from time I could be spending being creative and doing my own stuff. So, I decided that for the month of October I would delete the app, and see how it changes things. Already I have found time to read your blog post- so I would say it’s definitely working so far 🙂
I stopped reading newspapers etcetera many years ago. I simply couldn’t stomach it anymore. Not talking about the newspapers, of course, but about reality and about bad news. Knowing it makes me feel terrible and depressed and my knowing it doesn’t change or help anything.
So I decided to protect my happiness and sanity by avoiding a lot of info and news.
Instead I try to focus very nearby. On people around me, from my loved ones to strangers that I meet on the street. I try to be kind to them, to do good, to make them feel good. That’s MY small contribution to the world.
I also decided to give donations to individuals instead of to big organisations and causes. From friends in need to micro-loans to women in poor countries.
Consuming the big bad news made me feel bad and powerless. Focussing on a small world makes me feel empowered and like I’m actually doing something good.
I still like Instagram, for various reasons. And I DO find authentic people there, from time to time.
The comparison trap is everywhere and was always there. The new media just make it harder to escape from it. Not falling into that trap has always been and still is up to ourselves. There are difficult moments, when it creeps up on me, but overall I think I will manage.