Convenience vs Simplicity: A Paradox

Who doesn’t love convenience?

I know I do.

Naturally, we’re drawn to the allure of anything that makes riding the waves of life a little easier.

But are we drowning in the sea?

When I think of my life back in London, one thing comes clear- I was drowning. Drowning in stuff, in workloads, takeaways, personal troubles and cigarettes.

As my mental health sank, I’d aid my issues by consuming more information, buying more stuff, and more food to make myself feel better. I was convinced that these things would make my life more convenient and easier!

In reality, I was only adding more weight to my anchor.

The Allure of Convenience

These days, I can have my favourite meal cooked for me at the click of a button and delivered within an hour. I can order that gift I forgot for my colleague’s leaving party via next-day delivery. If I ‘need’ a new outfit for an event, I have access to a selection of clothing apps that even allow me to return for free if they don’t fit.

Our new world is synonymous with convenience, and we love it- why wouldn’t we?

In this week’s post, I want to walk about the paradox of convenience and simplicity. Particularly why more convenience doesn't necessarily equal simpler living.

In fact, these modern-day conveniences seem to make us lazier, less grateful and more entitled. From where I stand, for every new stride we take towards more technological advancement and convenient living, we take two steps back. From brain-dead scrolling to an epidemic of loneliness and dissatisfaction, we’re in a dichotomy to balance simplicity and convenience.

However, for us to unlock the secrets of a simpler life we can learn how to strike a balance between convenience and simplicity.

Convenience vs Simplicity: A Paradox

If you’re reading this newsletter, creating a simpler life might be on your list of desires. Yet somewhere in our pursuit, we’ve been duped into thinking more convenience will bring us more simplicity.

How does this tie in with our general happiness?

Gratitude:

I still remember the 30 movies we had on video cassette and, excluding channels 1-5, that was all we had to watch. I remember in those days, just how little we’d argue over what to watch. Every single of those videos was loved and appreciated, even if I’d seen them 50+ times before. 

These days, my family spend more time picking a film than actually watching it. With instant access to applications from Netflix to Prime to NowTV, HBO and all the iplayers- how can one pick?

Besides, once we have, it seems we all end up on the sofa staring at our phone screens anyway.

Sound like simplicity?

Mental Health

Further, the more we rely on convenience, the more we lose control over our lives and our ability to think and do things for ourselves. The apps take care of that now!

From movies to music, travel, food and money. With so many options available, we are often left feeling overwhelmed and paralyzed by choice.

One of the major reasons to travel long-term is because it helps us realise how dependent we are on home comforts like technology and social media. Living this way, allows us to realise that joy comes in random moments. Like a good chat with a stranger, appreciating the food that’s available, or having more time to simply enjoy.

In the process of attaining more convenience, we’re moving further and further away from the things that make life simply joyful.

Environmental Impact:

On the topic of nature. The convenience culture also has a negative impact on the environment. From single-use plastic to excessive packaging, the convenience economy initiates a lot of waste. This waste is harming the environment and even affecting our health in the long run. I’d want to go into this point deeper in another post, so for now consider:

Is this thing I’m buying actually going to add any value to my life? Or just more trash to the planet? 

Finding the Balance

While more choices are exciting and equally destructive to our joy and gratitude.

Now I’m not saying convenience is all bad. But considering all, are our lives really becoming simpler with added convenience? Or a heavier anchor pulling us deeper into our own insecurities?

Instead, we can look for a simpler life by reducing our reliance on convenience and being mindful of our choices. We can start by taking small steps like reducing our use of single-use plastics or choosing to walk instead of using a car.

Even these small changes can help us lead a more fulfilling and simpler life.

Final thought: Inconvenience

Are we here for it all to be easy? Or are we here for an adventure? 

In London, I sank into believing consuming more things on social media and delivery apps made my life more enjoyable. That desire for instant gratification led to stress and anxiety. As more time passed, I became impatient and scrambled with delayed gratification, leading to a lack of peace and feeling satisfied.

My life on the road now is an inconvenient one, but one of adventure. In living without constant access to convenience, I am challenged in ways that push me outside of my comfort zone which allows me to learn and grow. As well as encountering more adventures! In doing so, I take a sense of ownership for who I am as inconvenience challenges me to overcome my edges and fears.

I challenge you to ask yourself: Can I reject convenience? At least somewhere in my life?

Could less convenience create more wisdom, growth and simplicity for myself? 

Take some time to reflect on these questions, and consider making small changes to simplify your life. You might be surprised at the positive impact it can have.

Hola, Sophia here! A former career girl turned full-time slow traveller. Most travellers like to tick boxes and follow itineraries. I like to go slow, explore and improvise- unveiling the magic and lessons from a simple life on the road. I’m a free spirit, simple-life seeker and overseas volunteer who embraces slow travel and simple living as a means to discover beauty and joy across the world. I’d love you to join me on the journey by signing up for my new weekly newsletter: Unlocking Simplicity.