Why we are exhausted, distracted and overwhelmed
G’day,
I hope you’re having a wonderful week. Over the past few years, I’ve been learning to lean more intentionally into gratitude—finding the small moments of joy, even in seasons of uncertainty or change. While I won’t go too far down that path today, it’s always worth reminding ourselves: there are gifts around us, even when life feels loud or complicated.
Since closing the physical store, it took me a while to truly wrap up loose ends and actually slow down. And here’s something I noticed almost immediately: how incredibly easy it is to fill up your time with… noise.
Scrolling. Social media. Streaming. Gossip. Endless information. Let’s be honest—we’ve all been there. It can be entertaining, comforting, and even a welcome escape for a while. The real challenge isn’t starting. It’s knowing when—and how—to stop.
I remember this pattern as far back as my banking days, when long hours and high-pressure environments were normal. I could always tell how stressed I was by how I chose to “unwind.” If I’d had a fairly normal, manageable day, I’d often go for a run. But if the day had been intense or overwhelming, I’d usually end up on the couch, watching something completely mind-numbing—anything that would let me switch off and not have to think or engage.
The irony? The moments when we most want to check out are often the moments when we most need to be present.
Right now, I’m actively working on filtering out the noise and learning to listen for the signal. Being in a new environment and adjusting to a new rhythm has reminded me how important this skill really is. I’ve had to return to old practices that worked—and build a few new ones—to protect my focus, my energy, and my mental clarity.
I would hazard a guess that like me, how you start your day has an enormous impact on the quality of the day that follows. On days when I need to work deeply on my projects, I know I need to:
- Set my alarm so I wake up at a specific time
- Spend a few quiet moments being still and reflective (yes, gratitude is part of this, but so is simply not rushing)
- Make a cup of tea and gently limber up while I wait for the kettle to boil —at this stage of life, that’s not optional
- Sit at my desk with my phone well out of reach, because I’ve learned just how easily that shiny object can hijack my attention
Now, let’s be realistic—life doesn’t happen in a cocoon. We all have responsibilities, messages, people who need us, and real-world demands. But what I can do—and what I continue to practice—is getting better at filtering. Better at noticing what’s just noise, and what’s actually signal.
And that distinction matters more than most people realise.
Signals are the valuable things: insights, information, intuition, wisdom—things that actually help us make better decisions and live better lives. Noise is everything else competing for your attention without truly serving you. Learning to tell the difference requires awareness and a little discipline, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. With some mindful practice, we all get better at recognising what genuinely supports us—and letting go of the rest.
This isn’t just about productivity, either. It directly affects your mind, your mood, your sleep, and even your food choices.
Think about those nights when you can’t fall asleep because your mind won’t switch off. That’s your nervous system telling you it’s overloaded. Overstimulated. Swamped with input. When we ignore those signals for too long, it starts to show up in our health and overall wellbeing.
I know for me, when I’m more exposed to noise, my stress levels rise—and I’m far more likely to emotionally eat or reach for junk food. That’s my pattern. Yours might look different. So I’ll ask you this: what do you notice yourself doing when your mental clarity drops or your stress goes up? Which healthy habits tend to disappear during those noisy periods?
This week, I’d love you to try a simple “noise audit.”
Take at least one day and gently observe:
- What you watch
- What you scroll
- What you listen to
- When you’re most likely to reach for your phone, social media, or streaming
Are there certain times of the day when you’re more vulnerable to distraction? Can you estimate how long you’re actually spending there? This isn’t about judgment—it’s about awareness. Clear data gives you clarity. And clarity gives you choice.
In today’s reflection, I want to leave you with this idea: consistency matters more than intensity. You don’t need to overhaul your life. You just need to start returning, gently and repeatedly, to habits that support your mind, your energy, and your sense of self-trust.
This is the heart of what I do in my coaching work: helping people rebuild mental clarity, reclaim cognitive sovereignty, and design lives that feel calmer, more intentional, and more aligned—without burning themselves out or trying to be “perfect.”
If you’re feeling mentally overloaded, stuck in distraction, or craving more clarity and direction, you don’t have to figure it out alone. I work 1:1 with people who are ready to cut through the noise, reconnect with themselves, and create sustainable change.
If this resonated, I’d love to invite you to reach out and explore working together. You can reply to this email or click below to learn more about my coaching.
Here’s to less noise—and more signal.
Warmly,
Ana