Simple and easy, complicated and difficult

It’s not that I’m nostalgic, but I feel that in the past, when I was young, I remember life to be simple and easy, while today our reality has turned into something that’s become complicated and difficult. Is it because we’re faced with too many choices, are under time pressure, are victims of fear of missing out (FOMO), or what else? I’m pretty sure that I’m not the only one who feels this way as my discussion with many people and social research seems to confirm. 

Life is objectively more complex than it was 50 years ago. While there might be a tinge of nostalgia in holding that view, it’s grounded in several measurable psychological and sociological shifts. First there’s what’s called the “The paradox of choice”. In the past, if I wanted to buy a pair of ski boots, I went to a ski shop and choose from maybe three brands. Today, there are 15 brands, 100 models, and thousands of online reviews to read.

Having too many options doesn't make us freer; it paralyzes us. We spend more time "optimizing" the decision than enjoying the result, leading to "decision fatigue." On top of that, we’ve become prisoners of connectivity. Yesterday, when I left home, I wasn’t reachable. Life had natural sheltered zones where nothing was expected of me. Today, we’re accessible 24/7 to every responsibility we have. Between managing text and email messages, updating some piece of software, and checking our news feed, our mental space is constantly used by some background processes. We are never truly "off," which makes life feel heavy. 

To make matters worse, technology has eliminated the "waiting" periods that used to buffer our days. For instance, when I wrote a letter, I had to wait a week for a reply. I walked to my bank to check a balance or a transaction. All these moments were forcing me to slow down, but now everything is instantaneous. This "time-space compression" creates a relentless pace. We feel under pressure not because we have more to do, but because we are expected to do it right now. 

Now, there’s a subtle but vital difference between complexity and complication. A mechanical watch is complicated, but it is a closed system. If one gear turns, another follows. Modern life is complex. It’s interconnected. A conflict in a different hemisphere can change the price of energy used to heat our home or charge our car. Everything is tied to everything else in a way that feels unpredictable and, therefore, difficult to navigate. 

Of course, one could argue that life was "simpler" in the past because we were less involved in fewer things. We accepted what the local doctor said, what the local paper printed, and what was available at the local store. Today, we have more power, more information, and much more options, but the "tax" for that power is the constant labor of managing it. Better stay strong and fit, we all need a lot work ahead of us… Good luck!