Whether there is any tangible truth to it or not, these days it often feels like we're working more and longer hours than ever.
”On paper,” technology and automation is supposed to make life easier for us, and to give us more free time… but when I look around, I don't really see anybody enjoying those particular benefits. Ironic, no?
An awful lot of people are working extremely long hours, and they're worried about being able to afford their lives in this world of rising inflation, and the attendant stress and anxiety has a way of gradually wearing us down.
Sadly, we also live in a world where we are "supposed to" always be ambitious and bright and happy and ready to face any and all challenges in the world.
If you spend more than a passing moment admitting that you are tired, sick and sad, you'll soon enough get labeled as "depressed," followed by all manners of advice to seek counselling and medication so that you can "get back on the horse" and just deal with this life as it comes to you.
What's missing in that equation, of course, is the sense that it's OK to periodically stop and allow yourself to feel tired and worn down… and to take a breather. Moreover, to take a few moments to ask the difficult questions of whether or not your allegedly "good life" is really as good as the world is trying to persuade you that it is.
Earlier today, I stood in our kitchen and counted all the small electrical appliances — we could call them modern conveniences, if you will — gracing the countertop: toaster oven, coffee maker, coffee grinder, mixer, blender, air fryer, microwave, electric water kettle, and it made me pause to consider whether we're really better off by having all these alleged "conveniences" than my auntie (with whom I grew up) whose kitchen counters we're graced simply by a toaster and a bread box.
We definitely didn't suffer, back then. And we had more time, to... just be.
Where is the connection?
Well, someone had to work an awful lot of additional hours in order to make the money, to buy all those appliances that we are now telling ourselves are "necessary" in order for us to function in a modern world.
I just get tired of this modern world sometimes!
Of course, I have always been a lousy ”consumer” because I mostly have been disinclined to see the benefits of many of these so-called ”conveniences” the world invents for our consumption. Who are they really convenient for? The people using them and having to clean all around them? Or could it be the corporate gooks who invented them and now insist on making us believe they are "indispensable" so they can sell them to us so they can make ever rising profits?
Sometimes I don't just get tired, I also get rather cynical!
And on that light note, I'm going to call it a day... for another day! One of these days, I might even get a day off! Till then... there is sleep.
Thanks for stopping by, and have a great Friday!
How about you? Does life every just wear you out? Do you find most modern "conveniences" to ACTUALLY be convenient? Do leave a comment if you feel so inclined — share your experiences — be part of the conversation!
(All text and images by the author, unless otherwise credited. This is ORIGINAL CONTENT, created expressly for this platform — NOT A CROSSPOST!!!)
Created at 2023.03.24 00:55 PST
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