I am not lazy, I am just efficient.
“Why read a 300-page book when you can watch a 30-second summary?”
“Why put pressure on our brain when this thing is easily available on ChatGPT?”
“Why should I learn the route when I have maps for directions?”
“Why should I bother about not having food on time or even cooking when Zomato delivers in 20 minutes at 1 AM?”
This is the cruel reality of today’s world. Our current generation is becoming more impatient and careless than ever. We want things faster, easier, and in bite-sized pieces. While technology has given us convenience, it’s also reshaping the way we think, act, and even manage our emotions. Our hippocampus has already started getting impacted—mostly negatively—because of this.
Why is all this important to understand in the context of weight loss? Because weight loss happens due to a change in personality and attitude. Even if you bring that change within yourself for just 2 months, you’ll see results. But in order to create drastic and long-lasting results, you have to change your personality and identity—because this is a game of patience, which is very difficult in today’s world.
Let’s explore why this impatience is growing, what it means for our lifestyle, and how we can bring balance back.
The Culture of Speed: Why We’re Always in a Hurry
1. Short-form Content Everywhere
Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, TikTok → most videos are under 60 seconds.
Even a 30-second reel feels too long; people skip or fast-forward.
Our brains are getting “rewarded” with instant dopamine for quick content.
2. On-demand Services
Zomato, Swiggy, Blinkit: groceries in 10 minutes.
Amazon Prime: next-day delivery.
We are trained to believe waiting = waste of time.
3. AI & Ready-Made Information
Earlier: Reading books, researching in libraries, making notes.
Now: Google + ChatGPT = instant answers.
Knowledge is available in seconds, but depth of understanding is shrinking.
4. Social Media Pressure
Constant notifications, endless scrolling.
FOMO (fear of missing out) → we want updates now, can’t wait.
If we see a blue tick and don’t get a reply, our restlessness goes to the next level.
How This Impacts Our Mindset
Shorter Attention Span: Studies show the average human attention span has dropped from 12 seconds (2000) to 8 seconds (2023) – less than a goldfish!
Impatience in Real Life: Waiting in queues, sitting in traffic, even cooking feels frustrating.
Decline in Book Reading: Long-form reading is replaced by summaries, tweets, or podcasts.
Surface-Level Learning: We consume more information but understand less deeply.
Mental Health Strain: Constant need for quick results leads to anxiety when things take time.
Earlier Generations vs Now
Then:
Reading books/newspapers was a daily routine.
Waiting was natural (letters took days, TV shows weekly, cooking at home).
Patience and delayed gratification were part of life.
Now:
Everything is instant – food, entertainment, rides, payments.
Kids grow up with YouTube and phones, not libraries or outdoor play.
The idea of “waiting” feels alien.
How to Fix This: Building Patience in an Instant World
1. Digital Detox
Limit daily scrolling time.
Practice focusing on long-form content (books, podcasts, documentaries).
2. Mindful Consumption
Instead of binge-scrolling, choose quality content intentionally.
Slow down meals, conversations, and even workouts.
3. Re-learn Waiting
Cook a meal from scratch.
Read a book chapter daily.
Practice hobbies that need time (gardening, painting, music).
4. Set Realistic Expectations
Not everything has to be instant.
Accept that health, career, and relationships take time.
Key Takeaway
The current generation lives in the “instant gratification” era – fast food, fast information, fast entertainment. While this makes life convenient, it is also making us less patient, less focused, and more anxious.
The solution isn’t to reject technology but to balance speed with slowness. By slowing down, reading deeply, and practicing patience, we can rebuild the ability to wait – something our grandparents mastered without even trying.
