Do you want it now or later?

November 6th, 2021

Have you heard of the marshmallow test? If you haven't, then let me tell you about it!

The marshmallow test involves putting a marshmallow in front of a child and giving them an option to either eat the marshmallow or wait till the end and eat two marshmallows.

The test showed that we humans hate one thing in particular: waiting for things; we hate waiting.

I am sure it is not only me but do you ever feel like you are being tortured when your patience is being tested, you feel like time is slow, and you will never receive what you want.

Whether it is a video that won't download or a piece of fried chicken sitting in front of me begging to eat it, I often lose my patience when things don't seem to be going my way, and my desires aren't granted.

This generation is affected worse due to how fast everything is now, except my country's internet speed which seems to hate me for some reason.

But in other countries with high-speed internet and unlimited data plans, technological advances have made life tasks faster and lessened our patience meters, which reduces our ability to wait.

We always expect things to be done fast because we are used to things being like this.

Since we know this, it is essential to think about the implications of such culture, and while it would be difficult to let go of this practice, there will be value in confronting and overcoming it.

The proneness towards instant gratification won't always come from a place of selfishness or ignorant greed. Instead, it often appears in the most boring moments of our day, from surfing online to shopping.

We seek it out and are granted it without realizing it is creeping in on us, and when we are denied immediate results, we become irritated and depressed.

When our patience is being tested, we respond with anger and hatred because we feel cheated. Some people may roll their eyes but-

Like me, that slams my laptop shut and throws my phone away when my favorite series isn't downloading due to the internet speed. It is as if I reverted to my toddler days, throwing things away and crying, lol.

We have all come to expect things a certain way, and because of this, it would be difficult to fight off the waves of frustration and disappointment that come up when we face obstacles.

Instant gratification penetrates our everyday behavior and shapes the way we make decisions- and it won't always be for the best.

Learning to resist instant gratification may be difficult, but you have to manage your desires before they take over you. It is all about self-control and knowing your priorities.

The solution may take more than taking a few deep breaths, like waiting in a slow line for your meal.

Confronting instant gratification requires us to challenge ourselves to withstand harmful habits, such as the temptation to carry our phones when we are not busy.

By practicing patience, you allow yourself the opportunity to access the benefits of delayed gratification.

People who know how to manage their desires will always thrive more in relationships, careers, finances, health than people who give in to their desires.

Delayed gratification will improve your self-control, increasing your chances of fulfilling long-term goals because you will be more patient and have less burnout.

When you expand your focus from beyond the moment, you create more opportunities for your future self. As you know, the Now will always affect the Later; use that knowledge to plan your life and set your priorities rather than letting your desires blind you.

It is normal to crave ease and immediacy because technology allows the two to co-exist without hurting the other. And because of this, it will be hard to shift your focus to the long-term, but what you gain from it will be more beneficial than what you lose from resisting the temptation of instant pleasure.

You may even find better things when you delay gratification, and just like the marshmallow test, it is better to get two marshmallows than only getting one.