Information overload? The importance of silence.
A personal account from Becky Barrett.
Over the past couple of years, I have definitely noticed my head space becoming more “crowded”. As we headed towards the end of 2021, it really became an issue for me. This is a personal account of the importance of silence in my life right now, and the simple steps I have taken to help bring back my sense of focus and clarity in everyday life.
I have two New Years’ resolutions for 2022. The first is a complete ban of LBC radio. The constant stream of people chatting, ranting and raging, and putting the world to rights, was to start out with, very interesting. I felt like I was connected to others and part of a wider community. But I found listening first thing in the morning was really setting me up with a negative mind frame for the day.
LBC would also be my constant background noise in the home office and if an afternoon slump hit me, I would zone out of my own work to listen in to other people and their problems. Therefore, essentially making the slump worse.
The second resolution is to stop using my fitness watch. It’s bad enough trying to not look at notifications on my mobile phone every 5 seconds. When they’re pinging up on your wrist as well, it’s near impossible to not be distracted. Multi-tasking has taken on a whole new level!
So, I’ve had a clear out. Now I sit in silence when I’m working. I shut the office door (much to the distain of one of my cats), and I use an app on my phone to block notifications for a set period of time. This allows me to have some really serious focus time. To get **** done.
I’m also making an effort to not listen to anything when I’m out walking my dogs. And to try not to look at my phone. I feel we’re all constantly trying to cram in podcasts and network on social media, maximising every little bit of “spare” time we have to be productive. We’re just not getting the head space we need to actually be creative ourselves. To understand what our own individual needs are. You have to give your brain a break. It some respects it operates like a muscle, and like the rest of our muscles, it needs recovery time to function at its best.
I shocked myself last week, by doing my gym workout in silence. Having tried several playlists and radio stations to listen to, I just felt irritated and tired. I couldn’t find my mojo. So, I turned it all off and focused on my breathing. What a revelation. It felt so good! I was calmer, more focused, and just purely relieved to have some “space” in my head.
Don’t underestimate the importance of silence in your life. Distraction-free, in the zone moments. I can’t recommend it enough.
Written by Becky Barrett.
Becky Barrett is an international talent manager and personal fitness coach with over 15 years’ professional experience and a 1st class Honours degree in Business & Law.
Driven by her unique values of compassion and a holistic approach to talent management, Becky has devised an innovative solution to take on the fitness industry with a brand-new personal fitness concept that aims to inspire and boost ‘new normal’ approaches to exercise routines.
Features include: Health & Wellbeing, Natural Health, Arden University, The Telegraph, BBC, Time & Leisure, Bdaily News, The Stage.