I was watching my daughter get immersed in her Number Blocks learning channel on YouTube when I felt a sense of guilt. Even though I was refereeing that learning experience, it appeared someone else was the coach on the sideline showing her what to learn. Eventually, I waved off the feeling, thinking that at least, she was acquiring new knowledge. However, I couldn’t shake off the truth that my convenience was playing out here. Getting her to learn this way was about my convenience. That was my invitation to a journey down the rabbit hole of thoughts about the convenience paradox. 

In today’s world, convenience is no longer a luxury but an expectation. It permeates every aspect of our lives, from the instant click of a smartphone to the door-to-door delivery of groceries. We crave it, and technology promises to meet our demands faster than ever before. But this raises an important question: Is our relentless pursuit of convenience truly improving our lives, or is there an unacknowledged cost lurking in the shadows?

There’s a reason convenience is so enticing. It’s a time-saver, a stress reliever, and an energy preserver. If you have ever lived in Lagos, Nigeria, convenience will likely be the most desirable goal of your labours. It takes away the mundane effort and gives us more moments to focus on what we enjoy. Picture a world without the convenience of cars, food delivery apps, or the automation we’ve come to love. Life would certainly be more challenging, wouldn’t it? Convenience has woven itself into our modern fabric, reshaping society with each innovation.

Of course, we all acknowledge the obvious impact of putting convenience first in anything. Whether it is in the choice to drive against walking for short distances or ordering food over sweating it out by the ingredients in the kitchen. Many tend to forget that effort itself can be immensely rewarding. The sweat and struggle of going to the gym, for example, build more than just muscle; they foster discipline and determination. Working on a challenging project, even if it’s labour-intensive, often leaves us with a profound sense of accomplishment. Face-to-face interactions, although requiring more energy, strengthen social bonds in a way that digital exchanges can’t replicate.

A while back, I was faced with the task of solving a regulatory challenge for my employers. My first approach was the most convenient way to find a contact who could get me the phone number of any influential officer in the Federal Ministry. Many frustrating phone calls later and a fruitless attempt to problem-solve over the air, I did the least convenient thing of driving to the Federal Bureaucracy. Everything was a challenge – where to park my car, unsolicited paid escorts to find the specific office, unserviced elevators, stuffy offices littered with ancient and modern files, and waiting for officials who “stepped out” of the building. However, I had the benefit of insightful conversations with quite knowledgeable public officials, gained fresh perspectives on regulatory processes, formed new connections, and attained industry intelligence.

The point here is effort enriches us, often in ways that convenience cannot. It moulds our character, pushes our limits, and gives us stories of personal triumph. These experiences, though demanding, add substance to our lives and cultivate a resilience that shortcuts and automation can’t offer. Of course, the point isn’t to villainize convenience or suggest a return to pre-tech hardships. Instead, it’s about being intentional, whether with my daughter’s learning or in how I choose to solve challenges.

As we continue advancing in a world where convenience will inevitably present us with moral dilemmas, like those depicted in the movie titled The Pod Generation, it becomes increasingly important to reevaluate our choices. The film’s portrayal of a highly automated, convenience-driven society serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us that a life devoid of effort may come at the cost of deeper human values. Activities like cooking from scratch, nurturing plants in a garden, meeting people face-to-face, physical writing and journaling or engaging in hands-on learning aren’t just mundane — they offer a unique satisfaction that technology can’t replicate. 

So, even when convenience is within easy reach, consider what value lies in taking the road less travelled in these times. Intentional effort may enrich your life in unexpected ways, offering stories, lessons, and a sense of fulfilment that no shortcut can match.