Why Can’t I Keep Up? Living in a World That Moves Too Fast

We live in a society that never stops moving and it’s easy to feel like we’re constantly falling behind. Every scroll brings images of someone doing more, looking better, achieving faster. Whether it’s careers, bodies, families or lifestyles, there’s an unspoken standard: you should be more.

Comparison has always been a part of human nature. But in today’s digital world, we’re no longer just comparing ourselves to our neighbours or peers, we’re comparing ourselves to the most curated, filtered, exaggerated or high-achieving glimpse of people’s lives around the world… and it’s exhausting.

Additionally, the relentless pace and innovation of technology, with endless notifications, new platforms, gadgets, and expectations to always be available, always be productive, have answers at the snap of our fingers. It’s no wonder so many of us feel overwhelmed. The world shifts faster than we can process, and trying to keep up becomes a source of quiet panic.

We start to internalise the idea that we’re not doing enough. But the truth is, the goalposts keep moving. These standards are not only unrealistic, they're almost beyond humanly possible now. No one can be everything, all at once.

It’s okay to feel tired. It’s okay to feel like the world is asking more from you than you have to give. Recognising that isn’t failure, it’s awareness.

When everything around you demands more (more time, more energy, more resilience), boundaries are how you protect your wellbeing. They remind you that you're allowed to rest, say no, and take up space without guilt.

Without boundaries, you risk burnout and losing sight of what you need. Saying no isn’t selfish, it’s a way to show up more fully, sustainably, and honestly in your life. You don’t have to meet every expectation. You’re allowed to step back. That is enough.

Therapy can offer a space to pause, to breathe, and to remember that your worth isn’t measured by your output or how well you perform in a system that was never built with your wellbeing in mind.

There is power in stepping back. In choosing to do life at your own pace. In reconnecting with what you value not what the algorithm tells you to chase.