Information Overload: The Killer of Feminine Intuition
It’s time to wise up and slow down.
By: Iman Josey
Read Time: 2 Minutes
Information overload isn’t a new concept, and its side effects are very real. Since the rise of consumerism in the late 1940s, mass production of print was one of the earliest drivers of information excess, as people bought and read more books than they could remember. Today, we hear regular laments about the increased anxiety, depression, and mental fatigue brought on by our constant screen time and media consumption.
In 2024, the average American consumed 34 gigabytes of data and information daily—much of it meaningless noise. What gives? Although information is quite literally ‘food for thought,’ people seem far less concerned about the quality of the information they consume than the food they eat. Conscious consumption is one of the arguments behind “slow journalism” and similar “slow” movements such as “slow living.” The key idea of the slow movement includes prioritizing quality over quantity in a more intentional approach. This doesn’t mean curating your explore page to reflect feminine style guides; it means thoughtfully controlling your input and feedback into the system.
The constant flood of advice on how to be better, look better, outperform others, or even appear unbothered creates a mental burden. Instead of feeling inspired, you’re left subconsciously drained by half-formed, dehumanizing ideas that offer little substance. Columnist Rhian Sasseen wrote in Kinfolk, contemplating, “What exactly fuels our compulsive need to comment?” She says, “Current events, local gossip, pop culture moments— it doesn’t matter. Open up Twitter, and you’ll find a dense thicket of other people’s opinions.” The impulse driving the human need to not only consume information but stake our claim in it.
This raises an important question: If seeking out media was essential in an era of information scarcity, is it now equally essential to limit or regulate our intake in an era of information overload? Today, consuming news media has become a normalized habit, with 54% of people reporting they encounter some form of news on their feeds. Yet, for many, the very act of reading it can feel overwhelming or anxiety-inducing.
Femininity has often been associated with intuition, emotional intelligence, and connection. However, information overload steals the mental space required for introspection, creativity, and rest—qualities that are deeply tied to traditional feminine strengths.
How can we wise up and slow down? Setting boundaries should become a regular strategy for combating cognitive overload. Just as we adjust our relationship with food to improve physical health, we must also rethink our relationship with information. Try taking 60-second breaks throughout the day in a quiet, dark room with your eyes closed or offloading your favorite apps until after 6 PM on weekdays. Explore ways to build a sustainable and balanced media diet that fits your lifestyle—and stick with it. The improvements you’ll notice in your mental health and memory should serve as powerful motivation, especially when addiction-driven products compete for your attention.
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