70% of Scots feel life has become too complicated

There are now more gadgets, apps and technology in our daily lives than ever before, but many Scots are starting to crave a simpler life.
Scots would live a technology detoxScots would live a technology detox
Scots would live a technology detox

According to research published today, too much choice, too many possessions and an over reliance on technology are over complicating Scottish people’s lives to the detriment of our happiness. Only 38 per cent of Scottish people say they are satisfied with their lives.

The report, commissioned by Ikano Bank, claims that more than two out of three people, 70 per cent, want fewer choices.

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Too many possessions weigh down nearly half of Scots (48 per cent) and a third of people would be tempted by a ‘digital detox’. Scots have admitted giving up on making social plans because the hastle of trying to sync up everyone’s scheduals was just too stressful, but at the same time fear of missing out (FOMO) is causing young people to feel overwhelmed - two out of three 18–24 year olds often worry that they are missing out on better offers when they make plans with friends.

Complicated decisions are even affecting the nation’s health.

One in three people (34 per cent) are so worried about complicated life decisions they’re losing sleep over them. One in five of young Scots feel that their overuse of technology is making them unwell, with 39 per cent of them feeling like they spend too much time on their phones.

Scots are the most likely out of the whole of the UK, at 22 per cent, to put off making a will and nearly a fifth, 18 per cent, of Scots are putting off looking for a job.

Almost one in five of Scots say decluttering makes them feel more ‘in control’.

But there’s a silver lining: the study suggests that as we get older, and reach retirement age, life gets simpler and we’re all much happier as a result.

Alain de Botton, Philosopher and cofounder of The School of Life, said: “Simplicity is so satisfying because our lives are cluttered, and the experience of having too many options is a constant drag on us. When we see simplicity, we know that we value it. But we can find it difficult, even embarrassing, to be simple. Simplicity is really an achievement – it follows from hard-won clarity about what really matters”