Why Everything Feels So Loud Now
I don’t think everything is actually louder. I think everything is competing harder.
My phone wants my attention.
My email wants my attention.
Social media wants my attention.
News alerts want my attention.
Streaming services want my attention.
Online stores want my attention.
Coworkers want my attention.
Group texts want my attention.
Somewhere along the way, attention became the most valuable resource in the world. And suddenly everyone started trying to extract it.
The strange thing is that most of us still think we’re tired because we’re busy. I’m not so sure anymore.
I think a lot of us are tired because we’re constantly being interrupted.
Even when we’re technically resting.
Even when we’re sitting on the couch.
Even when we’re supposedly relaxing.
Our attention is being pulled in a dozen different directions at once. And eventually, that starts to feel like noise.
Not audible noise. Psychological noise.
The kind that follows you everywhere.
I think this is part of what I was trying to get at in The Human Animal, too.
The Death of Empty Space
Waiting in line used to just be waiting in line.
Sitting at the airport used to just be sitting at the airport.
Riding in the passenger seat used to just be riding in the passenger seat.
Standing in an elevator used to just be standing in an elevator.
Not anymore, though. Now, every moment gets filled immediately.
Phone out.
Scroll.
Check.
Refresh.
Scroll more.
Consume.
Scroll again.
Consume.
Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.
No Wonder We’re Exhausted
Not because life is objectively harder.
Not because people are weaker.
But because there is almost no psychological silence left.
No margin.
No spaciousness.
No boredom.
No room for thoughts to finish forming.
No room for reflection.
No room for noticing things.
Maybe that’s why a quiet morning feels luxurious now.
Maybe that’s why a walk without headphones feels strange.
Maybe that’s why reading a book feels like quiet rebellion.
Not because those things are extraordinary.
Because they’re so increasingly rare.
In a world where everything is constantly trying to get louder, sometimes the most radical thing you can do is protect a little quiet.
one more thing…
If you’re quietly side-eyeing modern life, you might enjoy the Venvy Mail Club. It’s a series of thoughtfully curated editions filled with beautiful paper goods, collectible Venvylets, original artwork, and small reminders to spend a little more time in the real world.
about kori.
She has a favorite bookstore, a passport that’s seen some things, and can’t seem to stop accidentally acquiring new hobbies. She writes about books, travel, modern life, and the small things that help us stay human.
