Where all the noise comes from

Let's be honest about how most of us live.

We wake up and check our phone. We scroll while we eat. We listen to podcasts while we walk. We have the TV on while we cook. We fall asleep watching something.

There's very little silence. And when there's very little silence, there's very little space to hear yourself.

The types of noise

Noise isn't just sound. It's anything that fills up your attention and leaves no room for your own inner voice.

• Mental noise: the endless commentary, planning, replaying and worrying.
• Constant stimulation: notifications, content, background TV, never being without input.
• Social media: other people's lives, opinions and highlight reels, all day long.
• Too many opinions: asking everyone what they think before you've asked yourself.
• Reassurance seeking: needing someone else to tell you it's okay before you can feel okay.
• Emotional overwhelm: when you're carrying so much that everything blurs together.

The opinions problem

I want to talk about this one specifically, because it's so common.

You've got a decision to make. So you ask your partner. And your best friend. And your mum. And you post in a group. And you pull three tarot cards. And then you stare at the clock waiting for a sign. 😂

By the end, you've got seven different opinions and no idea what you actually think.

Other people's perspectives can be really valuable. But if you always go to them first, you never get the chance to hear yourself.