Instant gratification is addictive. As kids, we have always cried and thrown tantrums to get that toffee or toy or toothpick instantly. Unable to put up with our incessant meltdowns and irrational cries, our parents get us our objects of desire that very moment. This urge to get possession of something the moment we think about it, gets fortified as we grow up, thanks to the accessibility, affordability and pampering offered by our near and dear ones. As generations roll by, people are becoming more impatient and intolerant. Their “wait threshold” is fast depleting. What began as 2-minute noodles has graduated into instant noodles (and even instant upma) now! Instant food, instant messaging, instant money are all examples of a world that just demands immediate gratification, regardless of the ebbs and tides of life. What next? Instant babies?
Lack of time is the excuse that is often quoted, to justify the mindless marathons that we are running. The fact that, we are always in a mad rush to make more money so that we could afford priced possessions the very moment we set eyes on them, is conveniently ignored. New age emotions like FOMO (fear of missing out) and YOLO (you only live once) are adding on to this delirium. The cave man who was constantly in danger of being hunted down by a wild animal, and not being able to see the next dawn, never shouted YOLO!
Food and grocery delivery startups in India like Swiggy, Zomato, Zepto are all cashing in on this consumer behavioral trend, by promising 10 minute deliveries. “Blinkit”, an Indian company that specializes in fast delivery of groceries and essentials, has the tagline “Everything delivered in minutes”. This summarizes it all! The pause button has fallen off the remote control in our heads. “Fast forward” seems to be the only button we need.
Our attention span is also shrinking at a dangerous pace. From long form of prose, to essays to one liners, we have learnt to express ourselves in crisper ways. The ability to create an “elevator pitch” is the golden standard of leadership and storytelling, these days. 140 characters seems to be the controlling limit of our creative expression. (Ah! it’s expanded to 280 now. How gracious!) There are seriously busy souls who are unable to dedicate even those few minutes, and choose emoticons to express shades of their moods. Youtubers have started making sketch videos and reels. #1min music is the trend these days. “Pay as you go” is the instant noodle equivalent in the commercial world.
Payments, processes, products, posts, podcasts — everything has become instant. If we cannot stop in our tracks, pause, reflect and pace our lives in slow motion at least once in a while, what is the meaning of this existence? What is the point if our life flashes past us, in a blur? Why should we live a life, if we don’t pause and ponder on simple joys? What is the price we are paying to compete in this bloody rat race? And why?
This year, I resolved to slow down and savor life, in all its abundance. I decided to stop chasing and start living my life. I started smiling more and fretting less. I have come to terms with the profound fact that, the number of loved ones around me matter more than the number of likes and comments I get on my social media posts. I have started sky gazing, counting the stars and relishing the rainbows. I am dreaming more and pursuing my passions at a pace that is slow, calm and fulfilling. I have begun living inside out. I am in no hurry to reach anywhere. Travelling far and wide, taking the road less traveled, is the motto. Immersing myself in this journey and finding my lost soul is the only dream I wish to pursue, in the winding tapestries of life ahead.
This story is inspired by the 100 day storytelling initiative by Your Story Bag. This is my story for day 12/100 of #2023TheStoriedWay
