The Power of Simplicity | Omkar Devaki | TEDxYouth@SeaburyHall

The speaker learned the power of simplicity after their mom cleared out a junk drawer filled with sentimental but useless items. This experience highlighted how people overconsume everything, from politics and fashion to social media, draining attention from what truly matters. We often care too much about others' opinions and external perceptions, posting excessively on social media and getting caught in cycles that diminish mental focus. This overconsumption stems from both external and internal distractions. External distractions include phones, clothes, and an excessive concern for public perception. People prioritize appearing "normal" or fashionable, often buying designer items not for personal enjoyment but for trends or others' approval, losing the items' value. Internal distractions involve overthinking and caring too much about what others think or how they perform. We focus on others' grades, promotions, or social gossip rather than our own well-being and progress. This leads to unnecessary pressure and comparison, diverting attention from personal growth. The speaker advises spending five minutes daily without a phone to breathe and reflect on one's own life, emphasizing the short human attention span. He concludes by quoting Buddha: "Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated."