The Psychology of a Fast-Paced World, A Conversation with Rim Ajjour
The Psychology of a Fast-Paced World A Conversation withRim Ajjour By Cynthia Mansour In a world that spins faster every day, where new trends rise overnight and digital notifications never stop, our minds are constantly racing to keep pace. To explore how this relentless pace shapes our mental and emotional well-being, Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychologist Rim Ajjour, holding a BA in Psychology from the Lebanese American University and an MSc in Psychology of Child and Adolescent Development from York St. John University, offers her perspective on how modern life impacts our sense of balance. Through her work, Rim has witnessed how the rush of modern life shapes our attention, emotions, and sense of self, and how small shifts in awareness can help us breathe again. When Life Moves Too Fast “Living in our current world has definitely been leaving a vast impact on our well-being,” Rim begins. “Continuous exposure to fast and repetitive stimuli affects our ability to focus on prolonged tasks and weakens our capacity to multitask effectively. We are constantly interrupted and overstimulated.” This constant rush doesn’t just make it harder to concentrate, it takes an emotional toll. “These endless changes in trends and technology keep us in a state of alertness,” she explains. “We accumulate emotional tension and often end up feeling disappointed or burnt out. Our ability to regulate emotions and process experiences becomes limited.” Balancing Social Media and Mental Health Protecting our mental health in a hyperconnected world, Rim says, starts with setting limits. “The utmost advice we give in practice is to reduce screen time as much as possible, for both adults and children. Research shows that excessive screen time can directly affect well-being and even academic performance.” Still, she acknowledges how difficult it is to unplug. “People today are deeply invested in following trends. That’s why it’s essential to differentiate between what’s real and what’s not. We must set realistic expectations, separate our lives from others’, and remember that social media rarely reflects reality.” Information Overload For some, staying constantly informed feels empowering; for others, it’s overwhelming. Rim believes the answer lies in moderation. “Some people find comfort in knowing what’s happening around them, while others prefer less exposure. Any extreme, knowing too much or too little, can be draining. Balance is the key.” Digital Perfection and the Self When it comes to the pressure of appearing “Instagram perfect,” Rim’s response is clear: “This directly affects self-esteem. People compare themselves to unrealistic, edited images, and end up setting impossible standards. It leads to burnout, a sense of inadequacy, and lowered motivation because their efforts never seem enough.” She offers an alternative mindset: “Fashion can be a form of self-expression and healing. When we use it to reflect our mood and personality rather than to impress, it becomes empowering. Choosing what aligns with who we are, instead of what’s trending, strengthens our self-perception and frees us from constant self-critique.” The Paradox of Connection Despite being more “connected” than ever, Rim believes technology has created a new kind of loneliness. “While digital platforms make it easier to reach others, they don’t replace the fulfillment that comes from genuine social contact. Being connected through screens can’t compensate for face-to-face relationships. Real communication, empathy, and emotional exchange are irreplaceable.” The Pressure to Have It All Together Productive. Fit. Stylish. Mentally well. The modern ideal seems to demand everything at once. “Social media often showcases people who appear to have it all together,” Rim explains. “But what’s missing are the struggles behind the scenes. When viewers try to replicate these lifestyles, they end up feeling unsatisfied and inadequate.” This relentless pursuit feeds into perfectionism. “People forget they’re entitled to take breaks,” she continues. “They remain trapped in the belief that rest equals failure, constantly chasing unrealistic outcomes influenced by what they see online.” Healthy Motivation vs. Perfectionism The way out, Rim suggests, is by shifting our focus inward. “We should compare ourselves only to who we were yesterday, not to others. Progress should be personal, not performative. When we compete with ourselves instead of external standards, we build a healthier relationship with growth.” A Reminder for the Overwhelmed As our conversation drew to a close, Rim left a message that resonates deeply in a world that rarely slows down: “We are in competition only with ourselves. Everyone’s experiences and circumstances are different. We are allowed to take breaks, make mistakes, fail, and recover. Living in a fast-paced world doesn’t mean we must move at its speed. Slowing down isn’t weakness, it’s wisdom.” Thanking Rim Ajjour for this thoughtful discussion, I leave our readers with a simple reminder: balance and moderation are the quiet anchors of a healthy mind. Breathe. Pause. And love yourself enough to trust that your journey unfolds at its own rhythm. Each of us walks a different path, with our own stories, achievements, and timelines. What comes easily to one may take longer for another, and that’s the beauty of individuality. Competing only with yourself brings a sense of peace that comparison never will. And please, when you feel you need help, seek it. Mental health matters. Therapy is not a sign of weakness but a journey of healing, growth, and rediscovery.









