Yavi 25's Key Ideas from Notes on a Nervous Planet
by Matt Haig

We can’t reduce the excess of the world. But we can control how much you let in. Similarly, we can’t stop the advance of technology, but we can learn how to use it responsibly and in a way that benefits our mental well-being. 

One key tool is to take things away. Don’t try to keep up with the endless stream of news, posts and products, and stop worrying about what you might miss.

Instead, choose a few important tasks to focus on and try to reduce all other distractions, especially digital ones.

Ever since we started carrying the internet in our pocket, it has taken over our lives we’re spending more and more time online. 

Worse, We have more fuel for our worry than ever. Social-media platforms know that those bad feelings are precisely what keep us scrolling and clicking.

First, Understand the digital world is just – digital & second, practice abstinence. People are not their Twitter bios or their Instagram posts. Once we get off the internet, it’s surprising how little we miss it.

Why are we so concerned with our looks? A big part of the problem is overexposure to unrealistic beauty standards on social media. 

Worries about appearance are also tied up with our fear of aging. Interestingly, the people who worry least about getting old are older people.

There’s only one proven way to feel better about your body, face or age, and that’s to accept them as they are. Luckily, changing your attitude is a lot easier than changing your actual appearance.

Our contemporary lifestyle, and new technologies, in particular, contribute to stress, anxiety and depression.

In order to stay happy and healthy, we need to cut out some of the overload of modern life.

Once we become aware of the time we spend scrolling, working and worrying, we can learn to shift our focus and cultivate calmness to help through troubled times.