WHAT ARE YOU CONSUMING?

Studying psychology, I learn a lot about biases.

A bias, according to Merriam Webster, is an inclination of temperament or outlook, especially a personal and sometimes unreasoned judgement. Biases have an incredibly strong effect on the way we view the world. I always recognized their importance in scientific fields and news reporting, but I never considered their true impact on my day-to-day life, particularly how the information I was consuming was distorting my perception of self and success.

We consume a lot. From the moment we open our eyes to the moment we close them, our brain is constantly whirring like an overused computer. We cram our brain with facts from textbooks, the names of those we met in the elevator, and the directions to that building we always pass. It is incredible how much information our brains can ingest in order to enhance our lives.

Consuming, however, like everything, has a threshold — a point where each detail gets jumbled and it is no longer possible to distinguish fact from fiction. Generally, this overconsumption of knowledge comes from a deep-rooted desire for comfort. We seek out information from every available source in the hopes that what we hear will validate our choices and tell us that we are doing the right thing.

When you constantly focus on what others are doing, it can feel like what you are do is always wrong. For every person going out, there is a person studying. For every person eating a salad, there is a person eating a slice of pizza. For every person studying chemistry, there is a person studying philosophy. Incessant consuming traps us in a cycle of comparison that cannot be resolved with a single answer.

There is no correct path to follow. You could remold every facet of yourself to look and act like them, but… you will never be them, and that is beautiful. You are you, and someone out there is admiring your work ethic, or kind nature, or warm smile. Someone out there is consuming your life like a three-course meal while you stuff yourself on that of other people, never feeling quite full.

It takes time to be able to step off the multitude of paths built on aspirations you never really held. Consuming the words and experiences of others is one of the most helpful tools for self development … when used correctly. Take those experiences with a grain of salt. Every one of your mentors, friends, and family members has their own biases. Do not let the rigid rules of others weigh you down. Change the rules; make them your own. Simply put, start using the information you consume as fuel rather than fact. I can build my own success doing the things that are right for me. That may mean continuing to prioritize my writing, wearing bright red lipstick, or laughing at my own jokes when no one else does. But, at times, it is okay to be a bit full of yourself. It is how you leave just enough room on your journey to consume a few bites of wisdom you collect along the way.

“Look in the mirror rather than at your neighbor” -Frank Sonnenberg

Happy Living