convenience; at what cost
The first example I have of convenience is the American obsession with appliances.
And truly I am not sure if other countries have this same obsession, but I am curious. Because why in the world do people need so many appliances on their counter tops.
In my tiny home vibes, I once modeled counter space as a metaphor for success. I thought that once I had lots of counter space I would know I made it. (I also felt this same way about having a dishwasher.) And what I have found is that a lot of those “successful” individuals with loads of counter space fill that open space with, you guessed it- appliances!
Safe to say, counter space is no longer a metaphor for success to me.
My idea of success has shifted into a knowing- that;
Success is living a life in alignment with my truest of values.
Success is living in reciprocity with the planet, with their creatures & plants.
Success is making meals from FOOD, ya know actual Earth ingredients- and not having to unwrap my food from plastic sheets.
Success is feeling nourished and practicing self regulation.
Success is showing up for the challenges of life and not abandoning myself or values.
The more I learn about herbalism the more I become in tune with this natural world. With what I believe to be the truest and purest source of simplicity. It has become absolutely impossible to ignore the disconnection that comes from our modern day convenience.
So one morning, when I walk into the kitchen of someone’s very nice home, and the first thing that greets me is the beeping and whirring of appliances, I no longer compare my success to this.
I actually see the mass of appliances as a form of disconnection. How have we become so disconnected from Earth and their resources that we can’t even turn a light on with our hands anymore?
Why are the lights, heating sources, and (automatic) cat feeders all set on a timer? Why are the cat feeders automatic? And why in the hell does everything beep at me?
“Convenience.”
In this scene I find myself in, the sun is yet to rise and the home I find myself in is full of noise. Yet no one is awake. Every machine has a buzz or a flicker, and it feels hard to find some peace.
I wonder, if people see how the convenience of so many appliances actually creates more clutter and stress.
I think to myself no wonder so many people feel so overstimulated and disconnected.
We are so connected to digital information and technology at all times that we are getting further from the basics of our human-ness.
We are getting further from the gratitude that comes from making something yourself.
Our attention spans shrinking to less of a gold fish. We seek artificial light and stimulation. The pings of electronics, the likes of “peers.” We seek constant validation outside of ourselves, and not even necessarily from humans- but from machines.
What a trip!
To me, natural light is a reprieve from flashing lights and beeping machines, I thank the day for arriving. At night my home is quite dim. I just never could understand having all of the lights on.
More than anything, what I found myself asking in this home of appliances was; convenience- but at what cost?
Is this ease you hope to create,actually causing you more stress?
Have you become so used to the beeps and whirs of machines in your house that you have forgotten what true silence sounds like?
Do the appliances whir so loud that you can’t hear the crickets outside your window?
Do the glow of tablets and screens on your walls block out that natural glow from the sunrise happening right outside your window?
Do you have a watch constantly connected to your body giving you information about yourself and the world?
Why do we monitor everything we do with a little shining device?
Does anyone else find this as strange as I do?
Asking for a friend, that friend is me.
The food for thought, convenience; at what cost?
