Knowledge or Noise?

One of my coping mechanisms is information-gathering. In the face of uncertainty, I try to gather copious amounts of information to try and soothe my anxieties. However, in an age of overwhelming amounts of information, I’ve realized information doesn’t guarantee knowledge. Much of it is noise.

I’ve been off of most social media since 2020. I arrived at this decision when the pain of being on social media outweighed the joys. I’ve noticed a difference between my pre-2020 and post-2020 thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. My inner voice is much more compassionate, I compare myself much less to others, and I’ve reconnected with my intuition. I attribute these shifts to being more judicious about what I choose to expose myself to. What imagery am I taking in? Whose voices do I allow into my mind? What experiences do I choose to participate in to shape me?

In hindsight, I recognize that social media fed into my habit of information-gathering and created an enormous amount of noise. The more information from social media that crowded my mind, the harder it was for me to pick out relevant signals. Eliminating social media was a way for me to eliminate noise.

I of course still seek out information. But these days, I go into the process knowing there is no such thing as full certainty, no matter how much information you gather. And usually, what I actually need is not more information but more clarity. What about this situation makes me anxious? What do I not trust in myself that keeps me from making a decision with the information I currently hold? What would need to be true for me to feel courageous enough to move forward? If I move through these questions and the answer is that I still need more outside information, then I proceed to seek it out. But if the answer is that the block isn’t a lack of information but something stirring within me, then instead of venturing outward, I start by venturing in.

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Questions for you

What is your usual method of coping in the face of uncertainty?

How did you develop this method of coping?

How has this method served you well?

How has this method not served you well?

What would you like to relate to this method going forward?