Navigating the Infinite Sea of Knowledge

Living Fully: Saidi’s Path to Balance Amid Overload

So lately I’ve found myself feeling overwhelmed. As someone who loves to learn, who thrives on curiosity and intellectual exploration, I’ve always cherished the process of gaining knowledge. Whether it’s diving into the intricacies of a new subject, reflecting on societal issues, or simply exploring the world’s endless ideas, learning has always been a joy. But in this age of infinite information, something has shifted for me – and I don’t like it!

We live in a time where access to knowledge seems boundless. At any given moment, at the tap of a screen, I can read about scientific breakthroughs, political events, or historical perspectives…..Ooohh or even better, I can immerse myself in philosophy – Y’all know I can turn any conversation into a TED Talk nobody asked for! And yet, instead of feeling empowered by this abundance, I feel paralysed. There’s so much out there to absorb, so many ideas to engage with, that I wonder: how do I choose what’s worth my attention?

My double-edged sword of curiosity

My curiosity has always been one of my greatest strengths. It pushes me to ask questions, to dig deeper, and to reflect on what I’ve learnt. But lately, it feels like my curiosity is outpacing my ability to process.

It’s not just the sheer amount of information; it’s the weight of trying to make sense of it all. How can I reflect meaningfully when there’s always something new demanding my attention? How can I find harmony between the elements I love most about learning: gaining knowledge, taking time to reflect and process, and living more meaningfully in the present thanks to the personal growth inspired by the knowledge I’ve gained?

Saidi’s pursuit of harmony and balance in learning

I’ve started to ask myself some tough questions. Is it possible to be too informed? Should I focus only on what feels directly relevant to my life, or should I aim to stay broadly aware of the world around me? What I’m realising is that the answer isn’t either-or. It’s about finding a balance that feels sustainable, purposeful, and aligned with my values.

I’d appreciate your feedback on the three solutions I’ve outlined below. Please let me know if they seem ideal for achieving the balance I’m seeking.

Curating what I consume: prioritising reliable, thoughtful sources aligned with the topics I care about most - this is essential to avoiding the endless rabbit holes of information. As for the topics I choose not to follow, I must learn to find peace in selective ignorance - a challenge for someone like me, who deeply values understanding.

In my new role in Investment, the company I work for excels at knowledge sharing, offering an abundance of resources. While exciting, the sheer volume can be overwhelming. I’m developing a strategy to navigate this wealth of knowledge, focusing on what’s most relevant to my role and avoiding getting lost in it.

By curating what I consume, whether professionally or personally, I’m learning to focus my attention on what adds the most value, rather than spreading myself too thin.

Making time to reflect: this is my bread and butter. While gaining knowledge excites me, my true joy lies in reflecting and processing - simply letting my thoughts wander. It’s in those quiet moments of solitude that I discover clarity and deeper meaning. By curating what I consume, I can create more space for these precious moments of reflection.

Giving myself permission to disconnect: I’m reminding myself that I don’t need to know everything - but it’s a tricky balance. For example, even though I’m Austrian with Sierra Leonean heritage, I don’t know much about the politics of either country. Instead, I find myself far more invested in U.S. politics. Perhaps it’s because the U.S. is such an influential force globally; its economy and politics are deeply relevant to the Financial services industry I work in. Having spent my career at global companies, almost all of them headquartered in the U.S., it feels natural to gravitate towards staying informed about the U.S.. (Side note: I’ve got family in the good ol’ U.S. of A., and I’m basically an honorary citizen of New York City - unofficially, of course.)

I can’t disconnect too much though; I do recognise that we live in an interconnected world. What happens in one country inevitably ripples out to affect others. Without understanding the dynamics in different parts of the world, can I truly grasp the bigger picture of cause and effect? This also applies to understanding people. The choices people make, the way they think, and how they behave often stem from their unique cultural, social, and political contexts. Without that context, it’s easy to misinterpret or oversimplify. That’s why I’m learning to value balance - not just focusing on what feels immediately relevant, but also broadening my perspective enough to better understand the diverse world we’re all part of.  

Oh Saidi, “The Problem Solver… - a joke for you, dear Reader: why Saidi The Problem Solver goes crazy tying to find a balance? Because every time she solves one side of the equation, the other side throws a party and invites all the variables! And sometimes these variables bring a plus 1 – #HowRude!

It's all about connection…

My love of learning is about connection, to ideas, to people, to the world. But I’m realising that true connection requires intention. It’s not about consuming more; it’s about engaging more deeply with the things that truly matter to me.

I’m coming to terms with the fact that feeling overwhelmed in today’s infinite sea of knowledge is perfectly okay. Now that I’m in my 30s, it’s time to step back and redefine what learning means to me right now. It’s quite different from when I was a schoolgirl or in my teens and 20s! My aim isn’t to conquer this infinite sea of information -  know you’re thinking “yeah, right!” - but seriously, it’s about discovering my own meaningful path through it.

For anyone else who feels the same pull between curiosity and overwhelm, I’d love to hear how you navigate it. How do you find balance in a world that never stops offering more? Please can we figure it out together?

Danke! 😊