179- Finding Your Chill in a 24/7 World: No Notifications, Just Vibes

Ever feel like you're always scrolling, constantly on, and just can't catch a break? I can relate. Join me as we share real, raw stories from people just like you who found their peace amidst the chaos. 

From walks to digital detox challenges that turn into life-changers, we're exploring how spending a little 'me time' can be of great help. 

This episode is your sign to hit pause and rediscover the joys of just being. Don't miss out - tune in, and let's get real about taking care of numero uno - ourselves. 

Grab your headphones, and let's dive into the journey of reclaiming our personal space. Listen and change the way you see your daily grind!

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Transcript

179 - personal space

You're bouncing from one task to the next, There’s your job, demanding as ever, a never-ending stream of emails,  the endless scroll through Instagram, on TikTok, websites, and oh, the family stuff, of course. It's the same old cycle. It's a loop that seems to play on repeat. But let's hit pause for a second. When was the last time you just paused? Like, really took a moment for yourself, to just breathe and be with your thoughts? If you’re struggling to remember, you’re not the only one. In this episode, you're in good company.

If you’re multitasking, I’m going to ask you to just... pause. Take a breath. Give yourself this time. Because today’s conversation? It’s all about you. 

Welcome to today’s episode where we deep dive into the importance of giving yourself that personal space. And if you find this helpful, do me a solid, hit that subscribe button and let’s journey this beautiful life together.

Our generation's got this love-hate relationship with being connected. 

we're all glued to our phones, almost addicted, constantly chasing that next notification —the next like, the next comment, the next follower. It's a rush, isn't it? But then, there's this other side of us, this part that's just yearning for a break, longing for some quiet, some real, undisturbed me-time away from the constant noise.

Remember the good old days when the end of the workday meant the end of work? You'd clock out, and that was it. Work concerns would wait until the next morning. There was a clear line—a boundary—between work and personal life. Fast forward to now, and it's like we're living in a completely different reality. 

Sam was a typical 20-something, glued to social media, constantly comparing their life to the highlight reels of friends and celebrities. It was exhausting, a never-ending cycle of scrolling that left Sam feeling inadequate. 

In this era, our smartphones have become more than just devices; they're like lifelines to the rest of the world. They keep us connected, which sounds great on paper, but there's a catch. This constant online connection has turned into a non-stop pressure to always be available and ready to respond, no matter what time it is. 

The boundaries that once gave us a sense of separation, of balance, have blurred. Now, a work email can reach us during dinner. A work call can interrupt our quiet moments. Our smartphones, with each notification, and each notifs act as a reminder that we're never really disconnected from the demands of the outside world. 

Alex had always been the life of the party, the one everyone counted on to light up the room. But inside, Alex felt drained, running on empty from the constant socializing

This expectation to always be on, always ready, it's not just coming from our workplaces. It's becoming a societal norm. The idea of being unreachable, even for a little while, is becoming more and more foreign. This shift is profound, affecting not just how we work, but how we relax, how we interact with our loved ones, and ultimately, how we live our lives.

The impact? It's significant. This constant state of readiness, of anticipation for the next DM, the next notifs, is adding a layer of stress and anxiety to our lives that, frankly, we don't need. It's leading to burnout, to a sense of being overwhelmed, to the feeling that we're never doing enough, never quite catching up.

Recognizing this constant battle for our personal space is the first step towards taking back control. It’s about realizing that it’s totally fine to hit the ‘Do Not Disturb’ mode on life every once in a while. Balancing our digital and real lives is about finding the little moments of calm in the chaos. It’s about claiming back those pockets of peace where we can just breathe, think, or just... be, without any interruptions. 

Research indicates that taking personal space, unwinding, and disconnecting from social media can have significant benefits for an individual's mental and physical well-being. Here are some key findings:

 if you're knee-deep in Insta notifications while you're supposed to be crushing it at work, you're probably not doing your best. It's like, the more you scroll, the more stressed you get, and the less happy you feel.

Brooks in 2015 was onto something when he said cutting down on social media can help tone down the negativity. 

Personally I use social media to find inspiration and when I feel it’s too much and feels overwhelming, I step back and focus on what I have now and what small steps I can do now to better myself. If i dwell on what I see over there and how far are they from where I am now, I feel the pressure and it doesn’t feel nice. 

Jordan had always kept thoughts and worries bottled up, a silent storm raging within. 

Naslund and the gang in 2016 found that online groups benefit people dealing with heavy stuff, like serious mental health challenges. It's a space where they can find support, push back against stigma, and grab some solid advice or interventions without having to leave their couch. I once used an online group before, and it helped well. It felt like having a community where you feel the same way. In most of them, you can share things as an anonymous member and believe me, people are willing to listen and give you insights. I find it helpful because although you all have a different story, the situation and how you feel are the same and so the advice you receive from them feels so genuine. Online paid subscription therapies help as well if you’re willing to invest in them. They’re worth it but make sure choose the therapist that resonates well with you.

Sheldon, Abad, and Hinsch in 2011 pointed out this weird cycle where feeling disconnected pushes people to use Facebook more as a way to cope. But then, the more they use it, the more connected they feel. It's this wild back-and-forth that really makes you think it’s all about finding a balance that works for you.

Managing social media use and taking time for personal space and unwinding can lead to improved task performance, reduced stress, enhanced happiness, and better overall well-being. It's important to find a balance that allows for the benefits of connectivity without the downsides of constant digital engagement.

So, how do we turn things around? How do we get back that personal space and the chill vibes that come with it? It's all about drawing the line—setting boundaries but doing it with purpose. It means learning to say "nope" without feeling bad about it. It's choosing what's important and giving yourself the okay to take a break from everything else.

An evening where your phone's silent, A morning where you're not immediately stressing about emails. Sounds pretty sweet, doesn't it? And guess what? It's totally within reach. Start with the small stuff. Make some spots in your place where tech's a no-go. Block off some "just me" time in your schedule as if it's the most important meeting of the day—because, honestly, taking care of yourself is your most important job.

Think of personal space and self-care as a dynamic duo, kind of like peanut butter and jelly. They just go together, complementing each other perfectly. When we make room for a little breathing space, It's our way of reminding ourselves, "Hey, I'm important. My peace, my thoughts, and how I spend my time—they're all priceless."

Riley was the planner, the one with every hour accounted for, and every task scheduled to the minute. Life was a series of checkboxes, with little room for spontaneity.

One weekend, feeling particularly suffocated by the routine, Riley decided on a whim to take a road trip—no destination, no itinerary, just the open road. That trip became a journey of self-discovery, of embracing the unknown and finding beauty in the unplanned. It was Riley's way of reclaiming personal space from a life overburdened by expectations. The adventure reminded Riley that sometimes, the best moments come from letting go and living in the present.

The more we lean into making space for ourselves, the better we show up for everyone else. When we carve out time to just chill and recharge, we find ourselves way more anchored and in sync with what's happening around us. By giving ourselves the room to recharge, we end up more grounded, more tuned in, and yeah, even more available for the people and passions that light us up.  This makes us more present and ready for the people we care about and the things we love doing. 

And remember Jordan we spoke about earlier? On a particularly rough day, Jordan found an old, dusty journal in the corner of the room. Out of sheer frustration, Jordan began to write, pouring every fear, hope, and dream onto those pages. It was a release, a way to create personal space in a crowded mind. Journaling became Jordan's daily ritual that provided clarity and a sense of calm. It was a reminder that it's okay to take a step back, to process emotions in a world that often demands we hide them. 

So, here’s my challenge to you, dear listener. Start small. Find one way this week to honour your need for personal space. Maybe it’s a solo walk. Perhaps it’s an hour with your favourite book, phone off, and world on mute. Whatever it is, do it with intention. Do it for you. 

Remember Sam? Sam accepted a challenge from a friend: a one-week digital detox. No social media, no endless browsing. The first few days were tough, filled with FOMO and restless hands itching to check notifications. But as the week progressed, Sam discovered hobbies forgotten: reading, painting, and even cooking. The detox ended, but the habits stuck. Sam learned the value of disconnecting, finding joy in activities that truly mattered, and understanding that real life was happening away from the screen.

And this is what I have for you today.

Thank you for giving yourself this time. If today’s talk resonated with you, don’t forget to subscribe. And remember, in a world that’s constantly asking for more, it’s okay to say, “This is my space, and it's all I need."

Until next time, look after yourself.