Your brain is optimized for complexity
The universe is infinitely complex.
For example there around 2 sextillion(10 with 23 zeros) atoms in a sheet of paper. There is some bacteria on every surface we touch(that we don’t see). Our bodies create 2 million new cells every second.
There are two main ways that our brain deals with this complexity.
First is generalization. If some part of the world is too complex we generalize it so we have a feeling that we know what’s going on. The good thing is that we don’t have to know everything. The bad thing is that sometimes our generalizations are wrong and can lead us to bad decisions, perceptions and reactions. That’s the mechanism and purpose of cognitive biases. Saving up resources.
Second is automation. The actions, emotions and thoughts we repeat get automated, so at one point we stop thinking when we do them. That way our body saves up resources. The bad thing about this is controlling your reactions and thoughts is hard and also change is hard. Like try to go to fitness after new year hard. Or start a daily blog hard. Or do not be angry when driving hard.
What to do about it?
First, be aware that your generalizations of the world are probably wrong.
Second, explore different ways to break habits and build new ones.
