MID-WEEK BOOST: The “File > Save As…” Epidemic
In this information technology age, we have literally become overrun with data. Our minds are having to process more information than ever before, because we have access to more information than ever before. The internet, with it’s vast amount of resources, has become accessible at our jobs, schools, in our homes, and now even on our commutes to and from these places via smart phones and tablet devices. All of this is in addition to the data we were already receiving from commercial and print advertising and the influences of radio and television.
The problem with this technology is ages old, yet still applies to the very newest of applications and devices: Clutter. We typically think of clutter in the physical sense, visualizing boxes and papers and piles of stuff everywhere. But electronic clutter is just as real and just as influential in our lives. We are bombarded with so much information that we have literally run out of space to keep it, and we don’t even have time to process it all. Our personal computers have tons of old files we neither access nor need any longer. Our email accounts are full of old emails, advertisements from mailing lists and spam. Our smart phones have leftover texts and voice mails, and our tablets retain apps we dont use and photos weve taken that were not really that significant to us to begin with.
The remarkable thing is, software developers and programmers are aware of this epidemic, so they have created “remote storage” for our bulk files, photos, music, movies, and anything else we no longer have room to store the data on our own.
Do we really need all this information at our fingertips? Not really. But it is nice to know that the information we do need is easily accessible when we need it – most of the time (not gonna rag on wireless carriers, internet service providers and crappy service right now, I promise). All the rest of the information is a condition of the terms and usage we agree to when we operate our devices and access applications and websites.
So why is this a problem? Well, that depends upon how disciplined (or not) you are when you utilize these products and services. Do you find yourself getting stressed more often, but you are unable to pinpoint the exact source? Do you have to keep reminding yourself to check that email, read that e-zine subscription or watch the five movies that you have in queue on your DVR? Are you developing physical symptoms such as eyestrain, fatigue, headaches or sore wrists – which could indicate Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Having so much information at our fingertips has also accelerated the “dumbing down” of our societies, as well as the desensitizing of people everywhere. Our recollection of important numbers, dates and locations is not as sharp; we save the info to a device and forget about it. The triumphs and tragedies that people face are more often acknowledged by being the next “FWD:” in an email or warrants the next “SMH!” text response. In some countries married people are even getting divorced via text messages. If we are not careful, human interaction will lose its sincerity and we will lose our ability to connect with one another without the use of an electronic go-between.
I have to admit – even while I am typing this, I am thinking about the innumerable amount of information we are subjected to on a daily basis, and it makes my head spin. As much as I enjoy and benefit from using my Facebook and Twitter accounts, I find myself cringing at the idea of all the events I am invited to that I miss; all of the promotions I cannot take advantage of; all of the groups I couldnt possibly participate in (even though people keep adding me to them), and all of the people I cant personally respond to on a daily basis.
I have also had an old email address that I hadnt accessed in about a month. When I finally logged into it, my account boasted a horrific 10,000+ unread messages in my inbox! In 30 days?!?
Obviously something had to be done about this. For one, I didnt even know my email account could hold 0,000 emails. But the issue was not the technology; the issue was my mindset. I’d allowed myself to save and store and become attached to photos and forwards and online retailers and anyone who had a mailing list for a cause that I supported. I meant well; seemed like a good idea at the time… EVERY time I signed up for something. But there was no way I was going to be able to spread myself that thin. I could not give that many things my attention.
In some Eastern philosophies, there is what is known as the “Chi” “Qi.” In English it roughly translates to “Life Force,” and it is the Energy that flows in, around and through everything. When you have amassed even the smallest amount of clutter in your personal space, you allow the flow of the Chi to be disrupted. Blocked. When this happens your health and well-being are greatly affected. You become focused more outwardly than on yourself and your inner harmony. You suffer from ailments such as stress, insomnia or fatigue, headaches, inability to concentrate, improper diet and exercise, muscle aches and pains, etc. Yet all is not lost. We do not all have to be data casualties to the “tech revolution.” It just takes a little bit of discipline and a whole lot of practice to conquer it.
Again – the key is “discipline.” Get into a habit of cleaning our your inboxes and data storage regularly. Ask yourself before you sign up for that retail email, “Is this a place I frequent enough to benefit from daily/weekly/monthly communications from them?” If it is a worthy cause, ask yourself if you are willing to dedicate the time to stay updated on current events and help out? Check your electronic contact lists. Nearly one-third of the people listed do not even currently have the same contact information, or you have more than one entry per person. Consolidate that info. And do you really need to save every emailed joke and cuddly cat photo that someone sends you?
Unsubscribe from all of the mailing lists, groups, etc. that you do not access at least once a week; once a month at the least. That information is not important enough for you to use on a daily basis, and it will probably save you money if you do not know about every sale retailers have for “preferred customers” like you. Most likely they will still be accessible via the internet when you are ready to patronize them again.
By all means, give yourself a data break whenever possible. Exposure to EMFs (electromagnetic fields) from all of your devices is not healthy, either. Give your body an opportunity to relax and recharge naturally. Sea salt baths are a great way to neutralize external or negative energy that is affecting your “Chi”. Take a walk outdoors, spend some time near a large body of water or moving water sources like streams and rivers.
Choose to prioritize your life and determine what is important to you, then the information you access on a regular basis should be reflective of that. You may find that you will stress less and accomplish more when you do.
Lastly, allow me to share an inspirational lesson out of my life story: Not too long ago I had a conversation with a woman who was 92 years of age. I hadn’t seen her in about ten years, and we began catching up on goings-on since the last time we’d seen one another. When the conversation reverted back to where we were ten years prior, I received quite a surprise: this woman had the sharpest recollection of things I’d told her about my life that even I didn’t remember! I was stunned and fascinated by her clear focus and ability to recollect when I couldn’t even tell you what I had for dinner the night before.
I said to her, “Wow – you remember all of that?!? I can’t believe it! I’d forgotten most of that myself! How is it that you can remember things so vividly?”
The woman looked at me, eyes full of wisdom. She shook her head slightly and her mouth creased into a slight grin. “Well,” she declared, “Maybe you just have too much on your mind, Baby.”
Truer words had never been spoken to me. I respect and appreciate that Pearl of Wisdom, and try to apply it whenever possible. So if you’ve got too much on your mind, let it off. Restore your “Chi” and get back to focusing on the most important person in the world… YOU.
ELisha Vee is a freelance writer, mentor, entrepreneur and proud mother of two. She is currently working on her first book. When she is not pondering the “mysteries of the universe,” ELisha may be found doing graphic design, creating jewelry or making an effort to live life through the eyes of her four-year-old self.
Her personal blog is forthcoming, but you can follow her musings and random observations on Twitter @Butterfly329.
