Mental Overconsumption: The Silent Threat to Transformation

Overconsumption is a real threat to creation—a threat to genuine transformation.

In the past few years, I was a regular at my local library, a fan of countless podcast channels, and eager to join as many courses and workshops as my resources allowed. I was constantly searching for something more—something tangible—not realizing that in all my searching, I was slowly losing a part of myself: my inner power.

I was always looking for answers in books and on the internet, never pausing to check within.

Did I already know this? Had I learned it before?

I missed the essence of real growth.

If we believe everything is energy, then information is no exception. What we consume, how much we consume, and when we consume all matter. If we view information as energy, it becomes clear how consuming too much can block the flow, contradicting our intention—transformation. The key is in the “too much.”

There are hundreds of bestseller books aimed at people who want to change their lives. If we listened to every fresh podcast episode, we wouldn’t have time to sleep. The internet is full of blog posts (yes, including this one) offering “5 steps to transform your life” or “10 easy ways to become healthy, rich, and fluent in five languages.” Yet, only a few people truly achieve these goals or create lasting success stories. Why?

Here’s what I’ve realized along this journey:

• We consume information but don’t apply it.
• We fool ourselves into thinking that consuming knowledge is the same as taking action.
• We quit too early, then search for something new—becoming “information hoppers.”
• Overconsumption leads to frustration. Accumulated, unused knowledge creates a bottleneck of energy, leaving us stuck instead of flowing forward.

The problem with overconsumption

Think about it – it’s similar to overloading your body with food. Even healthy food, if eaten in excess, can cause problems. The same goes for information. Energy must be used wisely.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of reading more, listening more, scrolling more. These activities inspire and motivate us, feeding our dreams and visions for the future. They even give us a dopamine rush! But they can also create the illusion of progress. Yes, they ignite the spark, but only action will keep the fire burning.

Transformation happens when we step out of the consumer role and into the creator role.

We often forget that consuming books, podcasts, seminars, and courses requires two of our most precious resources: time and energy. Unlike money, these cannot be reimbursed. Once spent, they’re gone. That’s why one of the wisest things we can do is use the information we consume.

The Petrol Station Analogy:

Imagine you’re at a petrol station, filling up your car’s tank. The tank is now full. What do you do? Do you keep adding petrol? Of course not—it would overflow, creating a mess. Instead, you start the car and move forward.

Information works the same way. Consuming too much creates a mess, leaving you overwhelmed. The irony? You’ll feel like you need even more information to clean up the mess caused by overconsumption. It’s a vicious cycle.

How to Break Free

Before you start reading a book, doing a course, or listening to a podcast or webinar, try this:

1. Reflect.
   Where are you in your life right now?
   What area truly needs your attention and investment?
   
   
2. Set an intention.
   Why are you reading, listening, or participating?
   What specific answers or insights are you looking for with that material?
   
   
3. Engage actively.
   While reading, listening, or attending, take notes. Summarize key points.
   How can this information help you in your daily life? How does it support your goals?
   
   
4. Review and act.
   After finishing, review what you’ve learned.
   Did it answer your questions?
   What are three concrete actions you can take based on this knowledge?
   Can you share these insights with someone else?
   
   
5. Apply & Practice.
   Give yourself time to integrate the information. Let it sink in before jumping onto the next book, course, or podcast.
   Remember, transformation happens not in consuming more, but in applying what you’ve already learned.
   
   

A Note for Audiobooks and Podcasts (This applies specifically to self-help or educational materials.)
If you listen to audiobooks or podcasts while driving or traveling (which I do a lot), remember to quickly jot down anything that caught your interest—after you’ve stopped, of course! Whether it was purely for fun, motivation, or knowledge, ask yourself: What did it give me? How did it add to my life? (This applies specifically to self-help or educational materials.)

Consume consciously

Even if you clicked on something out of curiosity, don’t let it be a waste. Reflect on how you can implement what you’ve learned, even if the initial goal wasn’t clear.

When you bring awareness to your consumption, you become more present and open to the wisdom in the words you read or hear.

Make it a habit.

Consume information consciously.