Adulting Stinks
Reacting to Information Overload
Dahkha
When my kids were young and encountered new learning, they were curious, excited and intrigued. When I learn something new about the adult world (like how I should have gotten travel insurance - ugggg), my instinct is most definitely not excited. My gut reaction is more attuned to: “kicking myself for not knowing this and why do adults have to know this kind of crap anyways - adulting sucks”.
When bombarded with new adulting information, I don’t know if I need to experience a childlike excitement but I’d certainly like to ease out my initial reaction. Thankfully, yoga philosophy has some 2000-year-old advice.
Yoga describes 4 causes of suffering, and the first on the list is parinama dahkha, or change. Big life changes are hard. But small change (such as being confronted with new information about the adult world) also causes us suffering. Our imagination goes into overdrive. “If I didn’t know this, imagine all the other things I must be missing.” Then our brain goes into information overload and we get pissy (or other reactions such as avoidance, paralysis or deflection).
So how can we ease into a more relaxed reaction?
First of all, yoga reminds us that suffering is real. Everyone experiences suffering. No need to be embarrassed about your reaction. No need to step into that lonely feeling of, “why me?” Suffering is a path that we repeat a million times in our lifetime. Next, yoga suggests that we step back and give ourselves a little couch time. See yourself and your reaction, notice what caused it, and acknowledge it without judgment (like a psychologist would do). Finally, yoga recommends that we are now ready to find our peaceful place. Breathe, take a walk, or close your eyes for a few moments.
Now that I’ve eased this new learning into my adult world, I can see more clearly. I can bring this new information into my brain a little deeper. Like, maybe next time my teenager reacts all sarcastic and angsty, I can give her a little more understanding and space. I’ve been there.
Information overload is real, but like other types of suffering, it’s a sucky path that we will travel a million times. But there is also a way toward calm. And every time we walk this path of suffering to peace, we become a little more understanding of ourselves and our loved ones. Now that seems like a path worthy of repeating.
Until next time,
Laura
