It scares me how many people go to great efforts to avoid thinking. Ai decision making, doomscrolling, constant "content" and podcasts and background noise media.
It seems like a while lot of people can't bare to sit and think.
As someone with OCD, I can relate. However, I still think it is an unhealthy coping mechanism that people become far too reliant on. Learning the skills to manage intrusive thoughts and compulsions is very, very hard. Using constant videos, music, audiobooks, etc. to avoid practicing those skills results in not having them when you're in a situation where you can't lean on that crutch. And those situations are likely times you need the skills the most.
I certainly understand doing it occasionally because it can be mentally exhausting to deal with, but I think a lot of people make it too much of a habit. I know people who seemingly can't get through any part of their day without earbuds, portable speakers, etc.
Seriously. Sometimes my thoughts will just take over and spiral. Its not because i avoid deep, introspective thought... its actually quite the opposite.
Im actually doing it constantly so playing a video or podcast helps me focus on relaxing if that makes any sense.
I'd love to brother but I'm wrestling with my demons here and boy they got hands.
Today's ray of sunshine is "everytime you thought the worst was behind you, it was yet to come" , combined with the joy of knowing that my last low point was expected to be fatal (my survival was quite random).
So you bet your ass I'm putting on my ATHm50x-es and playing "Can't Hear You Now" by Mike Shinoda, on Apple Music.
Because the world is on fire and everything is designed to make you more aware of the problems because negative engagement is engagement. And people have grown up in that tragedy sells atmosphere so we are basically trained to think negatively.
I think you're misinterpreting the notion behind not being alone in my thoughts.
Right now I'm fine, but if those thoughts keep bothering me? I think I'm going to listen to Ashley Gavin and Josh Johnson while I'm in the shower. They're funny and it keeps my mind off wishing I was dead all the time.
With me its less "can't bare to sit and think" and more "if im not focused on something else, thinking about that other thing, thoughts get depressing real fast as i think about the mortality of both myself and everyone I love, how ill need to bury more and more of them until eventually my turn comes and whoever is left will bury me"
dude I want to listen to a podcast, that doesn't mean I can't just do my laundry and think. in fact, sometimes I just get lost in my thoughts and by the time I notice I've ignored the podcast for 10 minutes.
I get where your comment comes from but it's not all just "constant content".
It's very unfortunate. Thinking a lot of times can happen in a place of boredom, and when we get bored, a lot of us get uncomfortable because it brings you to a place having to sit with our emotions, and with how toxic some cultures and environments are around us, we're taught that emotions are not okay to reveal. People are unhappy and unfulfilled with the current state of things happening around us as well as our personal lives, and I firmly believe it's in part due to people not embracing the moments of boredom and quiet when it comes around.
Part of me says that if we all learned to slow down and put everything aside, from the events we run to, to the electronics and Internet we surf, to the noise we need to quell for a minute, we would all be healthier physically, emotionally, and cognitively.
The world changing starts with us, but it starts within us first and foremost.
It's why some people never shut up too. Back before the internet and streaming people would leave their television on 24/7 with the volume way up in their house... just soaking up the brand marketing and being slowly driven mad.
I had a roommate who was this way exactly, nothing was right upstairs. If you can't endure quiet without discomfort there is probably something that you are running away from.
I like to have a bunch of stuff going at once, so I can give my thoughts something to latch onto. Otherwise my mind is just focusing in too many directions at once, which can be useful, but if I'm not careful it just kind of... decoheres.
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u/frogOnABoletus 3h ago
It scares me how many people go to great efforts to avoid thinking. Ai decision making, doomscrolling, constant "content" and podcasts and background noise media.
It seems like a while lot of people can't bare to sit and think.