Be Careful What You Let In: The Information Overload Trap

We are living in a time of too much information. It’s everywhere-scrolling past us on social media, flooding our inboxes, coming through every podcast, news channel, YouTube video, and “expert” opinion. While it’s a gift to live in a world where knowledge is at our fingertips, it’s also completely overwhelming.

Who do you listen to?
What do you believe?
Who’s actually trying to help, and who’s just trying to sell you something?

One day, wine is good for your heart. The next, it’s poison in a bottle. Some experts praise fasting; others say skipping breakfast will ruin your metabolism. One influencer swears by cold plunges, another preaches morning meditation, while someone else is living their best life without ever waking up before 10 a.m.

It’s a lot to process. The truth is, they don’t know you. They don’t know your body, your background, your mental health, your schedule, your trauma, your resilience, or your goals. These experts and influencers don’t live in your home, walk in your shoes, or carry your history. Before handing over your trust to someone just because they have a microphone, a ring light, or a fancy title, take a moment to pause. Ask yourself: does this actually make sense for me? Take in different perspectives. Compare them. Ask questions. Learn how to apply what you hear in real life, not just in theory.

Personally, I like to keep my media intake varied. I listen to audiobooks from authors across different fields-psychology, health, spirituality, business, and fiction. Often, I notice that many messages are repeated across disciplines. The same core ideas are shared, just told in different voices and framed through different stories. That’s usually when I feel like I’m tapping into something deeper-something that resonates on a human level.

Even when something makes sense to me, I don’t treat it as absolute truth. I dig deeper, cross-check facts, and trust my own instincts. I never assume someone else’s lifestyle, no matter how polished it appears, should become my blueprint. Just because something works for someone else doesn’t mean it’s meant for me.

This nonstop stream of content can easily distract us from our own inner voice. We might think we’re learning when in reality, we’re simply absorbing. Absorbing too much without reflection can leave you feeling mentally cluttered and disconnected from your own truth.

That’s why learning to be present is essential. In a world that urges constant consumption, one of the most powerful things you can do is simply be still. Sit with the information. Let it breathe. Don’t rush to implement or dismiss it. Give yourself time to reflect, to feel, to observe how it resonates with your actual life.

Turn off the podcast. Close the book. Put the phone down. Sit quietly. Be with your thoughts. When you create space for silence, your own voice gets louder. That’s when you begin to understand what feels right-not because someone told you, but because you felt it deeply.

Even the news, which is designed to keep you informed, can backfire when consumed excessively. Watching it for hours doesn’t necessarily make you wiser. In many cases, it just heightens anxiety. It’s important to remember that fear sells. News outlets are also businesses, and they benefit from keeping you hooked and uneasy.

My advicce is to vary your content. Don’t get stuck in an echo chamber. Explore different genres. Read fiction-yes, even when life feels too busy. Losing yourself in a good story can offer perspective, teach empathy, and remind you what it means to be human.

Most of all, give yourself permission to pause. To listen, but also to question. To learn, but also to let go. You don’t need to have all the answers. You just need to be present enough to recognize the ones that truly make sense for you.