Lt Col Ankit Sharma
ankit.cloudnine@gmail.com
We live in the noisiest era of human history. Notifications buzz, opinions shout, timelines scroll endlessly and yet, inside silence is rare. What appears as outer noise often breeds inner chaos. It is time we pause and conduct an honest self-audit, not of our achievements but of our minds, time and quality of life.
Rising Depression and Stress: A Silent Epidemic
Depression and chronic stress are no longer confined to extreme situations, they have quietly entered everyday life. Unrealistic expectations, constant comparison, job insecurity, relationship pressures and the fear of missing out(FOMO) have created a generation that is connected to everyone yet deeply disconnected from itself.
The mind today rarely rests. Even in momemts meant for peace, it is occupied planning, worrying, regretting or scrolling. Emotional exhaustion has become normalized and seeking help is still seen as weakness by many.
The Time Audit: Where Does Life Really Go?
If we audit an average human life, the numbers are startling:
* Sleep – 25 Years
* Work and Commuting – 13- 15 Years
* TV and OTT – 8-9 Years
* Mobile and Social Media – 6-7 Years
* Travel and Waiting Time- 5 Years
What remains is surprisingly little time for real living, for meaningful conversations, self-growth, creativity or stillness. We often complain about lack of time, but rarely question where our time is silently leaking.
Corona and the Rise of Digital Dependence
The COVID-19 pandemic changed the world irreversibly. Work from home, online education, digital payments, virtual relationships all became necessities. While technology saved us during isolation, it also made us dependent.
Physical boundaries disappeared, but mental boundaries collapsed too. Screens replaced human touch. Convenience replaced discipline. Even after the pandemic ended, many habits stayed excessive screen time, reduced physical movement and social interactions filtered through devices.
Millenials Vs Gen Z: Different Struggles, Same Chaos
Millenials and Gen Z are products of different eras, yet both are experiencing unprecedented mental strain.
Millenials grew up during the transition from an analog world to a digital one. They were conditioned for patience, stability and delayed rewards. However, surveys consistently show that over 60 % millenials report feeling burned out, largely due to career pressure, financial insecurity and constant social comparison amplified by digital platforms.
Gen Z born into a fully connected world, faces a different challenge. Studies indicate that nearly 70 % of Gen Z report anxiety or stress related issues, with social media being a major contribution factor. With an average screen time of 7-9 hours a day, their attention spans have shortened and self worth has increasingly become linked to online validation- likes, shares and views.
While millenials struggles with the pressure to “keep up and settle down”, Gen Z struggles with the pressure to “stand out and be seen”. One generation feels exhausted chasing stability, the other feels overwhelmed chasing identity. The mediums differ, but the result is the same- mental fatigue, emotional confusion and a growing disconnect from inner purpose.
Impact on Quality of Life
Despite better lifestyles and freedom, quality of life is declining:
* Increased loneliness, even in relationships.
* Excessive focus on “me time” but little meaningful togetherness.
* Physical distance replacing emotional connection.
* Rising broken marriages, casual relationships and multiple affairs, yet a deep sense of emptiness remains.
The paradox is clear: more choices, less contentment.
Soldier and Monk Philosophy: A Way Forward
Two contrasting yet complemenmtary philosophies can help restore balance:
From the Soldier
* Discipline over distraction
* Routine over randomness
* Purpose larger than self
* Mental toughness in adversity
* A soldier trains the mind to remain calm amidst chaos
From the Monk
* Detachment without abandonment
* Awareness of thoughts
* Simplicity in living
* Inner silence over outer validation
* A Monk masters the chaos within
Together, they teach us to stand firm outside and stay peaceful inside.
Living Fully: A Positive Close
Life was never meant to be lived in constant noise- external or internal. True success lies not in how busy we appear, but in how balanced we feel.
Mantra’s to Live By:
* Audit your time before time audits you
* Reduce noise, increase awareness
* Be disciplined like a soldier, calm like a monk
* Use technology, don’t let it use you
* Seek depth, not distraction
“When outer noise reduces and inner chaos settles, life-doesn’t become easier, it become clearer. And clarity is the greatest freedom”.
The post Let’s Audit Ourselves Outer Noise Vs Inner Chaos appeared first on Daily Excelsior.