A Break From the Noise

Do you hear it? Do you see it? Do you feel it? We’re surrounded by noise. And a lot of it. Sign up for this! You need this! Are you missing this?! Buy this NOW! Act fast! I could go on, but I think you get the point. These messages are everywhere and for as much as I love the fact that I can find an answer to almost anything I want at any time no matter where I am, frankly, all of this noise exhausts me.I love learning. I love researching information, streamlining it and simplifying it. I love inspiring and teaching others. And the online world provides great opportunities to do all of these things.But over the past few months, the noise got to be a little too much for me.   It seemed to be coming at me a little too fast. Actually, it’s probably always been coming at me fast, but it wasn’t until recently that I found myself needing a bit of a break…Hence, you might have noticed that it’s been a little quiet on my blog and social media accounts the past few months.This break was not intentional, it just kind of happened. As the noise grew louder and as the days passed, I frequently found myself thinking about how I “should” be publishing a new blog post or I “should” be posting something on Facebook, or Instagram. It began feeling like it was a burden to do these things. And it didn’t feel exciting.Wait, it felt like a burden? And it was no longer bringing me joy? That was certainly a red flag for me, as it’s one of the main messages I share with others. If something has become a burden…it’s time to simplify it. Sometimes simplifying is unintentional, as it was for me nearly 26 years ago, and sometimes simplifying is intentional, as it was for me 4 years ago.In these recent months, my unintentional simplifying resulted when I let my tasks of publishing and posting fall to the bottom of my list. I found myself heading out to wanter in the noise of the online world less often. I just didn’t feel like being out there… And I actually broke my habitual routine of grabbing my phone and (1) checking email (2) scrolling Facebook and (3) scrolling Instagram.What did I do instead in the space that resulted?

• I created.
• I digested and implemented information and ideas that I’ve accumulated
• I wrote and presented new programs.
• I brainstormed new ideas.
• I spent time developing relationships with classmates in the current class I’m taking.
• I let my mind wander to my next travel plans.
• I worked with clients in their homes, helping them achieve the simplicity and organization that they desire.
• I researched ways to simplify “this” and donate “that.”
• I searched for campgrounds in pursuit of our continued 50-state, 10-province, 7-continent family travel quest.
• I planned visits for family members to come this summer.
• I attended my annual photo organizing conference and made face-to-face connections with colleagues.
• And more…

So while I didn’t completely stop consuming and while I wasn’t taking a full-blown break from being online, I became very intentional about what I was doing online. I was intentionally choosing to be me. And I was doing things that energize and excite me.In doing this, I have been able to focus more deeply on helping others flourish and achieve the life they desire while also taking action on living the life I desire. And I learned a little more about myself, too.I advocate for you to live an intentional life, but what I’ve discovered these past few months is that this unintentional action lead me to fulfilling my true intentions. If something starts to feel like a default (like my routine of checking email then tapping the Facebook and Instagram apps on my phone), maybe it’s time to turn down the noise for a bit?If you need permission, here it is. It’s okay to take a break from the noise. Go do something that excites you instead. It doesn’t matter what that something is, just go take a break from the noise.