take control of your information diet

take control of your information diet
Photo by Chris / Unsplash
“If you wish to improve, be content to appear clueless or stupid in extraneous matters—don’t wish to seem knowledgeable. And if some regard you as important, distrust yourself.”
— Epictetus, Enchiridion, 13a

The world has become smaller because of the Internet and technology. Now, it's easy to connect with people far away and know what's happening all over the world. However, this constant access to information puts pressure on us to know everything. Many people feel like they have to keep up with every news story, watch every popular TV show, and stay in the loop.

But who made it our job to do this? There's no law or rule that says we have to know it all. So why do we feel the need to keep up with everything? Is it because we're afraid of looking foolish when others talk about the latest TV episode or celebrity gossip?

It's okay to stay informed about important things that affect us, but we don't need to chase after every piece of news online. Sometimes, it's perfectly fine to say, "I don't know," or even, "I don't care."

You don't have to follow the crowd. It's okay to take control of your own life and choose what's worth your time. Just like Sherlock Holmes, you can keep your mind free from unnecessary clutter. In the end, it's your life to manage, not someone else's.