How To Stop Being Overstimulated

We live in a culture and society that is constantly pushing us to do, be, and have more. This unspoken but ever-present pressure causes us to work faster, multi-task, and never miss a moment.

Being busy has become a status symbol that signals importance externally, but adds stress internally.

After taking James Wedmore's advice for just one morning to invite more silence and space into our lives, I experienced a real shift and a new awareness.

I noticed a tendency to be less present in my morning routine, rushing to get to my next thing…

I noticed that unconsciously I wanted to put on something educational during my workout to make the most of the time…

I almost didn’t answer a phone call from a friend because it pulled me off schedule for my day…

But instead, with the intention to create more space for myself - I took my time in my morning routine and added some grounding in nature. I worked out in silence. I answered the phone when my friend called and chatted for 20 minutes.

After, and all day, I felt lighter. I felt more connected, less anxious and overstretched, and more present with everything else I chose to do.

While the outside world is responsible for a lot of the chaos and distraction we experience, we are personally responsible for a lot of it too. We’re the ones who try to pack too much into a single day. We’re the ones trying to make every moment highly productive. We’re the ones choosing to deprioritize what we value most.

We are the ones that are causing our own overstimulation. And if you feel like you’re too busy, stretched, or overcommitted to create space in your life, know that you’re the one creating that.

And, let’s say you are doing all the things you want to do, overbusy to accommodate your career goals, personal responsibilities, and everything else… Then accept that you've chosen that. Your life is full, and that’s perfectly fine, but don’t criticize what’s in your control.

My simple recommendation is this: Just for a day, choose to not overstimulate yourself. Eat food and workout without technology. Add an extra 10 minutes to a self-care routine. Be with what’s around you, there’s already enough to hold your attention.

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