“What is this awareness?”
In recent years, this word has become almost a slogan of the modern age. From self-help books to meditation apps, from inspirational social media posts to psychotherapy sessions, we are constantly told to “be aware.” It is presented as an essential duty for every conscious individual. However, we rarely ask this question: Is perceiving everything truly that beneficial? And what do we do with these realizations? Are the things we observe and internalize truly light enough for us to carry?
While awareness may sometimes appear as a light that clears the mind, that same light can occasionally dazzle. Because seeing everything is not merely an act of perception; it also entails sensing, interpreting, and often taking responsibility. This can turn into a psychological burden rather than mental clarity.
In its simplest form, awareness is the consciousness of one’s self, surroundings, and experiences. Of course, it is an important skill in terms of psychological well-being. However, we cannot ignore the fact that when excessively exposed to it, this skill can turn into a form of pressure. Constantly perceiving, understanding, and reflecting… This can create a rhythm that tires the mind, even if it does not wear down the body.
Being alert at every moment in life, making conscious choices, identifying the sources of emotions… These all may sound like strong and healthy behaviors. Yet human beings are not solely rational creatures. Some moments are meant to be lived without contemplation, and some emotions simply need to be witnessed rather than analyzed.
Today, this concept is presented not merely as a tool but as an ideal almost an obligation. As if everyone must be awakened. Everyone must resolve past traumas, embark on an inner journey, and analyze the origins of every emotion. However, sometimes it is equally necessary to just feel, pause, or live without confrontation.
An individual who constantly observes themselves and their surroundings may, at some point, become isolated. The more we see and comprehend, the more we feel compelled to intervene, correct, or accept. Everything one sees, knows, and understands also imposes a responsibility. Sometimes, this burden becomes too heavy to bear. One may find it impossible to turn a blind eye to others’ behaviors, relationship dynamics, or social injustices. This can eventually lead to anger, fatigue, and burnout.
In the modern age, awareness has grown into a near-cult phenomenon. Everyone is expected to believe in this doctrine and to experience an internal awakening. Another factor that pushes these limits is social media. The constant need to stay updated with everything around us, the perpetual urge to “stay alert,” further amplifies mental fatigue. Social media subjects us to an overwhelming bombardment of emotions and information, both positive and negative. When individuals witness every injustice, tragedy, or personal crisis on their screens, this exposure, whether conscious or not, turns into a significant psychological burden. Being subjected to so much information creates an excessive state of awareness and can lead to feelings of helplessness.
Rather than facilitating self-regulation, heightened awareness can turn into an attempt to over-control life, making people strive to miss nothing. At this point, inner peace may be replaced by internal pressure. The belief that “I must be aware of everything” can eventually evolve into a state of chronic hyper vigilance one of the key elements of anxiety.
The emotional entrapment caused by being aware of everything yet unable to change anything can be quite distressing. Saying “Yes, I know, but I cannot change it” eventually brings along despair and disappointment. Sometimes, seeing everything becomes the quietest lament of not being able to touch anything at all.
For this very reason, additional psychological skills must develop alongside awareness: resilience, boundary-setting, cognitive flexibility, acceptance… Otherwise, the individual may become stuck in a loop of constant awareness without healing. Like a gardener who keeps digging at a tree’s roots until it withers awareness is not only about seeing the roots but also about knowing how to protect them.
Conclusion
When used in moderation, awareness can serve as a compass. However, it is not an absolute “good.” As with anything in excess, too much of it can be harmful. Sometimes, not perceiving or not reflecting can serve as a protective mechanism.
True well-being is not about noticing everything, but about choosing what to be aware of. In short, this concept has become one of the greatest paradoxes of our time. While we are encouraged to see and understand more, the mental fatigue caused by this process is rarely discussed. In their pursuit of awareness, people struggle less with what they perceive than with the weight of that perception.