A Calm Start To 365 Days Of Disruption
This year will be full of AI-supported changes. So take some time for yourself, start a life that is defined by digital minimalism.
Right now, I receive countless emails promising optimization—whether for my business, website, or personal productivity. As always, January brings a flurry of new gym memberships and spikes on Pinterest focused on future goals, particularly about self-employment and changes hoped for in 2026.
But wait, it's only January at the moment. You still have over 300 days to go.
Despite the anxious rush and constant talk about major change, especially as AI and world affairs intensify, I believe this nervous energy isn’t helping and doesn’t serve us.
Companies push hard as machines never rest; each day, a new AI agent emerges that might replace a human.
Even though January feels busier this year and AI helps us do more, faster, I believe we should intentionally slow down and not get swept up in the race to always be first or most productive.
Your pace may quicken, but pause and notice your surroundings. For me, the snowy view from my Toronto window is a reminder to slow down. Taking breaks, even now, is essential. This year is a marathon, not a sprint, so give yourself permission to relax and savour small moments.
This year will be full of AI-supported changes and full of AI news. So take some time for yourself, start meditating or reading a good book, avoid electronic devices for some days of the week, live a life that is defined by digital minimalism, and meet your friends. Celebrate your life as a human being.
Jens Koester is a strategic advisor focused on the structural friction between exponential technology and the enduring patterns of human culture. Through The Human Datum, he provides the intellectual architecture and foresight necessary for leaders to navigate the AI-driven decade with clarity and intentionality.
