Information Overload (How to Quiet the Noise and Find Calm in a World of Too Much)
- Sara Smith
- 7 days ago
- 6 min read
AI’s definition of Information Overload is “the state of being overwhelmed by an excessive amount of information, making it difficult to understand an issue and make decisions. It occurs when the volume of data exceeds an individual's processing capacity, leading to confusion, stress, and reduced productivity.”
My visual for this is a scene from the movie Bruce Almighty. In it Jim Carrey’s character, Bruce, is granted God’s powers for a week to see if he can do a better job after ranting at God for making what he thought were poor decisions. In one scene, he is trying to figure out how to organize the constant prayers he hears in his head, to try and calm the noise. He first tries a filing system, but the file cabinets fill the room, blocking him in. He next attempts to organize via Post-it notes. The notes fly in like a flock of birds and cover not only the room but the entire house. Finally, he decides on email. After downloading all of the prayers in his head, his email tops 1.5 million prayers and the number multiplies with each answered prayer. (Much of the movie’s ensuing drama happens when he replies an automatic “Yes to all”!) While I’m quite thankful that I don't have all the prayers to God in my head, I can relate to waking up in the morning and feeling bombarded by the number of emails, Substack posts, or news stories that demand my attention as soon as I pick up my phone. I also remember this from a time of difficulty and crisis in my life. So many (mostly well-meaning) people had advice, opinions, suggestions, and wisdom for me. At times, it all started to feel like noise.
This strikes me as a real challenge. In the age of 24-hour news stations, hundreds of print, app-based, and social media outlets, and endless amounts of online content, how do we control the never-ending amount of input we can take in? How do we stay meaningfully informed and intelligent? How do we take in data that will help us be good citizens, co-workers, parents, partners and friends? And when we take a break from the crises of the world to have our own personal crisis, how do we discern between the helpful, wise and caring voices from those in our personal sphere and the noise? If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the constant stream of information, you’re not alone. In therapy, I often hear from women struggling with information — that sense that there’s just too much noise to think clearly and calmly.
Three Steps for Managing Information Overload
At the risk of simply adding to the myriad of voices, I have three simple suggestions to help you wade through the global and more personal information overload you may be experiencing.
Identify your goal when intaking information
In order to manage your intake, you have to first know the purpose for seeking the input in the first place. When you open your news app or scroll social media, what is your why in that particular moment? Are you trying to keep up on current events, seeking wisdom or motivation, or just bored and looking for entertainment? The same question goes for seeking input from others during a difficult time. Are you looking for a listener, an advice-giver or just someone to take your mind off of your troubles? The answer to all of these questions will determine whether the sources you use are helpful, harmful or just a waste of time.
Curate trusted sources and pick 2-3 go-tos
The word curate comes from the Latin word “care”. It means to carefully choose and arrange things for a particular purpose. There is intentionality and thoughtfulness baked right into the definition. When I say curate your sources, I am suggesting you spend careful and intentional time researching, reviewing, processing and being curious about your sources of information. This does not have to look like Ph.D.-level research. Start with one or two of your go-tos. Think about what you like about them. Do they align with your values? Do they challenge you? Are they usually accurate and reliable? Consider the overall position these sources are taking overtime and how they correspond with how you think. Are you choosing sources that only give you a perspective that you already have and agree with, or do you have a source or two that provides a different, alternative perspective. Personally, I had a go to source of information that I realized over time was pumping out new stories and content multiple times a day. The content was typically reliable and relevant, but I found myself returning to it several times a day, afraid to miss something. I realized that was adding to my feeling of overload and stress rather than alleviating it. Sources that provide content once or twice a day are much better for me. This is what it means to curate - to notice and curiously assess what you notice. Once you find a good source, they can become good sources of other sources. Who do they cite? Who do they trust? Who do they read and listen to? This is true for both news and confidants. Once you have curated some sources, limit your intake to 2 or 3 of these trusted sources. I have a couple of news sources I trust when I want to keep up on the events of the world. I have a couple of Substack authors I follow that I read when I want inspiration or insight on topics that are especially important to me. I have certain people in my life whose voice I allow to be amplified when I am struggling. This is not a dart at the wall approach and has taken some time and intention. But it has proven valuable. When I feel that overload, I know what to pare down to quiet my brain.
Become your own best filter against information overload
You may have noticed that I used the phrase “are much better for me” above. I don’t think there is a one size fits all approach to curating sources of information or friendly advice. I think the best filter is knowing your own body, mind, and heart…knowing your own system. Notice how reading a certain author, the way a certain news outlet presents the information, or listening to a certain friend actually makes you feel. Do you feel anxious or informed? Do you feel calmed or numbed? Do you feel challenged or pressured? Do you feel safe or swindled? I believe listening to, knowing and honoring our own systems can become one of the best ways we can discern information. And this doesn’t have to mean only taking in information that makes you feel “good”. I have read articles and listened to loved ones that had differing ideas, values and opinions than mine. Some have made me feel curious, challenged, and expansive. Some have made me feel stupid, judged and small. I lean toward the former. I have learned to let how something lands in my body to be one of the primary ways I determine what I let in and what I keep out.
The Most Powerful Step: Take a Break from the Noise
One final suggestion may actually be the most important one. Every once in a while, for a small period of time, step away from all of it. It is important to remember that all of these voices are simply reporting on, discussing and hypothesizing ABOUT this spinning world. They are not actually the ones making it spin. And it’s good to remind yourself that it spins whether they are talking and you are listening or not. My husband and I recently went on a two-week road trip. We saw National Parks, museums, scenic views and markers to history…all of it impervious to the blustering in the halls of Washington, the memes flooding the web, and blogs of wise sages. Beauty, wonder, and creativity abound and the two weeks I spent fasting from my usual streams of information changed nothing except the calm in my spirit and my blood pressure.
The world spins whether others are talking and you are listening or not...Beauty, wonder, and creativity abound.
If you are feeling overloaded or overwhelmed by the input around you, follow these guidelines or take a break from it all. It will help you feel more aligned, at peace and in control.
7 Minute Shift
(Because you can’t do anything with quality in 5 minutes and who the hell has 10 minutes lying around!)
1.Read one article/story/post of your typical sources of information. Pay attention to your own personal response to it. Notice the thoughts it stirs, the emotions it creates and what you feel in your body as you read it.
2. Make a mental or physical note and repeat this three or four times throughout your week using the same source.
3. At the end of the week, decide if that is a source you want to continue to go to or if it just needs to go.
Looking for More?
If you’re struggling with information overload or constant overwhelm, you don’t have to navigate it alone. At All Things New Therapy, I help women in Minnesota find calm, clarity, and connection again. Schedule a free consultation or learn more about Therapy Intensives today.
