Audio Content: How Much Is Too Much?
There’s nothing wrong with listening to podcasts and audiobooks. There’s a ton of great content out there. The problem is the amount I consume.
Most of what I listen to falls under the productivity/self-improvement category, things you'd classify as "good content." And in moderation, it can be helpful. Who doesn’t want to improve their life?
But I suck at moderation. I listen to back-to-back episodes, not giving myself time to process what I've heard. Hours of opinions and advice that rarely result in meaningful life change.
The constant audio stream prevents me from letting my mind wander. My thoughts are crowded out, and my attention is divided, making it difficult to fully engage with the present moment.
This weekend, I put my headphones away. I wanted to see how I felt without the distraction.
At first, it was uncomfortable because I have a habit of always listening to something. But after a few days, I appreciated times of silence. I felt more relaxed.
From now on, I want to be more intentional about how much content I consume. I could limit myself to one episode of a podcast or one chapter of an audiobook.
More doesn't necessarily mean better. You can only absorb so much in one day, and at a certain point, there are diminishing returns. Often, a slow and steady approach works best.