The Disappearing Art of Using Common Sense

A Balance Nirvana Reflection

The other day, while sipping my evening coffee and scrolling through yet another post related to bettering yourself, a strange thought crossed my mind — When did we stop trusting our common sense?

These days, we have apps to tell us when to breathe, trackers for when to sleep, and reminders to drink water. Helpful? Sure. But necessary? Not always.

Somewhere in this rush of advice and solutions, we’ve lost touch with something incredibly simple—and powerful: our own inner knowing.

We Know More, But Are We Wiser?

Let’s be honest. We all know that:

• Rest is important.

• Water solves more problems than we think.

• Going for a short walk helps clear the mind.

• Saying “no” when overwhelmed is healthy.

But we often ignore these basics. Not because we don’t care—but because we’ve been conditioned to look outward for answers, even when the truth is already within us.

So we sign up for another course, download another meditation app, or wait for the perfect moment to start “living better.”

But life isn’t waiting.

Coming Back to Our Senses

At Balance Nirvana, we often remind ourselves—and our community—that wellness doesn’t need to be complex. Most healing begins with very ordinary things:

• Taking three slow breaths before answering that message

• Drinking water before you reach for coffee

• Closing your eyes and doing nothing for a full minute

• Listening to your body instead of your to-do list

None of this is rocket science. It’s just common sense. But today, that feels rare.

Why Do We Ignore the Obvious?

Because we think big problems need big answers. But often, what we truly need is already in front of us.

We’ve just become too busy—or too distracted—to notice.

We trust apps more than our gut, trends more than our rhythm, and routines more than rest. And while technology and tools have their place, they were never meant to replace our own wisdom.

A Common Sense Tip

Next time your head feels heavy or your heart feels tired, don’t reach for your phone right away.

Instead, pause. Ask yourself: “If I had no apps, no advice, what would I do right now?”

Chances are, your body and mind will tell you. Because deep down, you already know.

Final Thought

Common sense is not a forgotten skill—it’s just a quiet one.

It doesn’t come from a book or a podcast. It comes from listening—to your body, your breath, your surroundings.

So maybe, instead of searching harder for answers, we just need to slow down enough to remember what we already knew.

Because sometimes, the most mindful thing you can do…is simply do what makes sense.

That, too, is Balance Nirvana.