Tuning Out the Noise in Your Life

[00:00:00] Everything's loud. Multiple things coming at you at once. Obligations. Entertainment. News. Information overload. How can you handle it all? And when is it time, just to say enough, this time on Wyce Thoughts.

[00:00:23] It's time for a virtual campfire sit-down with Terry Wyce. Welcome to Wyce Thoughts. Hey there, everybody. Welcome back to the podcast. Welcome to Wyce Thoughts. I am Terry Wyce, and I am so glad you've decided to join us for our virtual campfire sit-down today.

[00:00:47] And got a nice show for you today, something we can all use, and yours truly included. Because, let's face it, you know, things happen in life, right? But before we get to that, make sure you check out the website, wycethoughts.com. Just make sure you spell my name right, wyce, wycethoughts.com. There you can listen to each and every episode of the podcast, comment on any show you so desire.

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[00:02:09] Grab your beverage of choice and a comfortable seat around our virtual campfire, shall you? Today, we're tackling the topic that feels more relevant than ever in our hyper-connected world. Tuning out the noise in your life. Have you ever felt overwhelmed? Like there's just too much coming from all angles at you in all directions. I have. Many times.

[00:02:38] The constant pings of notifications. The endless scroll of social media. The 24-7 news cycle. The demands of work. Our families. Friends. It can all feel like a cacophony of relentless stream of noise that's bombarding us daily, hourly, and seemingly every minute. And it makes it hard to hear yourself think, let alone truly focus or find peace.

[00:03:06] This isn't just about the literal sound, of course. I mean, we're talking about the mental, emotional, and even spiritual clutter that culminates and accumulates in our lives. It's the pressure to always be available. The fear of missing out. The comparisons we make with others. And the anxieties about the future. And even the internal critic that whispers doubts in our ear.

[00:03:35] All of these contribute to the noise. So how do we begin to tune out? How do we find that quiet space within ourselves? How can we do this? Because we have to in order to think clearly and to feel deeply and to live more intentionally. Well, let's start by acknowledging that it's not always easy to do. I mean, let's just be honest with ourselves.

[00:04:05] We're often conditioned to be on all the time. But just like a radio trying to pick up a clear signal, sometimes we need to adjust our own frequency. The first step, I believe, is identifying your own personal noise. What are specific sources of distraction and overwhelm in your life? Think about this for a second, folks.

[00:04:31] For some, it might be an addiction to checking their phone every five minutes. For others, it could be spending too much time consuming negative news or engaging in online arguments. I've been there, done that. It could even be a cluttered living space that creates mental clutter. Take a moment, even right now, and reflect. What are your biggest noise contributors?

[00:05:06] Once you've identified them, then you can start to address them. And it doesn't have to be a drastic overhaul of everything and a big shift. Let's do this. Let's start small. Consistent steps can make a huge difference. Consider, let's say, our digital habits. Are you constantly bombarded by notifications?

[00:05:32] Well, go into the settings and turn off anything non-essential and be honest about this. You want to be really honest about this, okay? Do you find yourself mindlessly scrolling social media? Set timers for your usage or even designate specific times of the day for checking in. Better yet, do what I've done, and we've done past episodes of the Weiss Thoughts Podcast on this. Take a digital detox.

[00:06:01] For a few hours, a day, or even a weekend, or even a week. You might be surprised at how much mental bandwidth you can reclaim. Beyond the digital, I think it's about the people and environments in our lives. Are there certain conversations or relationships that consistently drain your energy and fill your mind with negativity? I've had a few of these.

[00:06:30] It's not always possible to completely avoid these. But what we can do is we can learn to set boundaries. And, you know, this is one thing I struggle with. I'll be just honest with you here. I struggle with boundaries. I like to be the yes man, the person that says, yeah, I'll help out. I'll do it. This might mean politely excusing yourself from certain discussions, limiting your time with individuals or constantly negative, saying no once in a while when you're asked to do something and you're already spread too thin,

[00:07:01] or even if you really don't feel like doing it. And also choosing to consciously not to engage in gossip or drama. Your physical environment also plays a crucial role. A cluttered home or apartment can lead to a cluttered mind. Taking even 15 minutes a day to declutter a small area can have a profound impact on your sense of peace and order. Try this. Think about creating a quiet zone in your home,

[00:07:29] even if it's just a comfortable chair in a corner where you can read or just simply be. How's that? That's always a good thing. Now, let's talk about internal noise. This can be the trickiest to tune out because it comes from within. It's the constant stream of thoughts, worries, and self-criticisms that we all at times face.

[00:07:56] This is where practices like mindfulness and meditation become incredibly powerful. Mindfulness isn't about emptying your mind, but rather about observing your own thoughts without judgment. It's about bringing your attention to the present moment, to things like your breath, to the sounds around you, the things you see, to the sensations in your body.

[00:08:24] Even five minutes, just five minutes of mindful breathing each day can help you create a little bit of space between yourself and the incessant chatter of your own mind. In meditation, what you can do if meditation feels too daunting to you, start small.

[00:08:51] Try focusing intently on a simple task like washing dishes, taking a walk, or even just savoring a cup of coffee. The goal is to bring your full attention to one thing, allowing other thoughts to fade into the background. Another powerful tool for internal noise is something called journaling. We've all heard about it.

[00:09:17] Getting your thoughts and feelings down on paper can be incredibly therapeutic. It allows you to externalize those worries and examine them. And often, you're able to release them. You don't need to write a profound piece like war and peace or be incredibly articulate. Just put down your thoughts and your feelings. It's that simple to do. It really is.

[00:09:44] And finally, and perhaps most importantly, make time for rest and rejuvenation. In our go-to culture, sleep is often the first thing to be sacrificed. But adequate sleep is a fundamental part of mental clarity and emotional resilience. Prioritize it. Create a consistent sleep routine and a calming bedtime routine.

[00:10:13] And also, carve out some time for activities that you genuinely enjoy and bring you peace. This could be spending time in nature, listening to music, pursuing a hobby, reading a book, or simply just doing nothing at all. You know, I've done, I've vegged out as they say. These are not luxuries. They are necessities for maintaining your well-being and for truly tuning out the noise.

[00:10:45] So this week, I challenge you to pick just one area where you feel overwhelmed by noise. Is it your phone? Your social calendar? Your internal critic? Choose one and commit to taking small, actionable steps to turn down the volume. Even a little bit of quiet can make a world of difference. Thank you for tuning into Weiss Thoughts today.

[00:11:14] Until next time, find your quiet and listen to what truly resonates. Hey, thanks for listening to the program today. I truly appreciate each and every one of you out there. And remember, to see a change in the world, you have to be the change in the world you want to see. It all starts with you.

[00:11:42] The person looking back at you in the mirror every morning. Remember to be kind to yourself. Be kind to others. If you want to tweet at me on Twitter, it's at Terry Weiss. Stop by the website, weissthoughts.com. Just make sure you spell my name right. W-Y-C-E. Weissthoughts.com. And hey, leave us a positive rating and review on your favorite podcast provider, won't you?

[00:12:09] Tell your friends, tell your family, tell your pets about Weiss Thoughts. And I look forward to gathering yet again around the virtual campfire with you real soon. Take care.