Abstract:

Far be it from me to claim that "everything used to be simpler and better" years ago. There are, however, some things we've lost or simply forgotten in our modern, media-dominated age. Some of them would be well worth recovering.

Your mission is to learn two things we've lost, and how you can reclaim them.

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1. Sitting with a problem

This one's hard to spot, so I'll illustrate it with an example: When I used to have a problem, I sat down pondering it. I might have cried. I turned it over in my head, perhaps phoned a friend for some sympathy.

These days, I'll sit there for a few minutes max, then I'll be online and google the problem or check online platforms for possible solutions.

Why is this problematic? Because it jumps to the solution, to action mode, without processing the emotion first. Neither does it leave room for personal insights and the growth that comes from figuring something out "organically".

2. Watching the world go by

When I was at university, my favourite thing to do was sit in a cafe with my best friend and watch people pass us by. We'd sit there for hours, not even talking much and simply gazing at the hustle and bustle of the town around us.

No longer doing these things deprives our brains of a certain passive mode, a relaxed state that's highly conducive to creativity and happiness. Most people these days whip out there phones everywhere, at the bus stop, even at the supermarket checkout, just so their minds remain occupied.

You can counteract these trends by consciously refraining from jumping into action/distraction. Look for quiet, sit with things. Be bored. Feel the anxiety that might come with this, and stay with it until you feel your mind relaxing.

The internet and modern media are blessings I no longer want to live without. However, learning when not to use them is an important skill.