The Noise of the Labyrinth

The Labyrinth is rarely quiet.

The Labyrinth is the hedge maze of society that surrounds you. It is shaped by the many forces of your culture, time, and surroundings, and stretches out in all directions. Be sure to read the Introduction to the Labyrinth post for more information on how it works. For now, I want to talk about a notable aspect of the Labyrinth.

What is the Noise of the Labyrinth?

On most days, there is a wind blowing through the Labyrinth. It rustles the branches of the tall fern hedges. On quiet days, the wind sounds like a whistle or hum, but if you listen closely, the wind carries voices. The voices come from all different parts of the Labyrinth. They come from the news, social media, T.V. shows. Some of the voices come from the people around you, and some voices come from further away. In other words, the noise comes from the forces of society, and they influence our behavior as we navigate the Labyrinth. The voices blend or contradict each other.

If we pay them too much attention, the voices can drown out our inner compass, our guidance system. They can paralyze us in uncertainty.

Some days, the wind is a soft whisper, and it is easy to ignore and move about your day, uninfluenced by the voices.

Some days, the wind blows in spurts. It interrupts us and forces us to pay attention, and we hear the voices more clearly. But the wind dies down just as suddenly. When it is sporadic, we can find ways to ignore it.

At times, the wind picks up into a howl, and gusts from all different directions. It stirs up emotions such as fear and uncertainty. We are wary of it, but still, we find ways to continue on in spite of it.

And, in rare times, the wind billows and blasts, reaching such high speeds, it is a full storm. The wind bends and contorts the hedges into shapes that are challenging to navigate. The wind picks up twigs and leaves and rains them down on us. We try our best to withstand it.

The current noise

I am writing this in America, in early October of 2020. There are multiple crises happening in my country. From my perspective, this is the loudest the wind has ever been, and its speed has been picking up since March. Now, the gale is reaching a tornado. It blows with such powerful passion, it feels dangerous to even be out. And the noise is deafening.

I’ve had a hard time accomplishing my personal goals when the world around me feels so precarious. But I’ve slowly been finding ways to manage the noise.

The noise of the Labyrinth is damaging

Each of us is the hero of our own story. But when we only focus on the noise, we feel helpless and powerless. We lose the threads of our stories and lives, and start feeling like a background character. Consuming too much information can leave us feeling overstimulated and stressed. We are less compelled to act and accomplish our goals.

We can stay informed of what is going on in the Labyrinth, without getting caught up in the drama. If you ever find the noise in your neck of the Labyrinth feels too loud, here are some methods to try.

How to protect yourself from the noise

We can protect ourselves from the damage of the noise by being intentional about what we focus on. We can arm ourselves with earmuffs, scarves, and protective gear that drown out the worst of the noise and keep us warm in spite of the chill.

1. Do an information audit

For one week, pay attention to what information you consume. Keep a notebook nearby and write down everything you consume on a regular basis – social media, tv shows, podcasts, news. Estimate how much time you are spending on each one. This will help you be aware of when you’re consuming on autopilot. At the end of the week, you will have a clearer picture of what you consume. And just like the food you eat, some of it may not be good for you.

2. Stop doomscrolling

The definition of doomscrolling, according to Urban Dictionary, is “when you keep scrolling through all of your social media feeds, looking for the most recent upsetting news about the latest catastrophe”. We can fall into doomscrolling when we feel anxious. But scrolling on autopilot ends up fueling the anxiety spiral and will only make you feel worse.

It can be a hard pattern to break out of. But the next time you find yourself doomscrolling, recognize what you are doing, close the tab or the app, and walk away. Find something tangible to do, such as folding laundry or watering plants.

3. Review and cull your information feeds

Delete apps and social media accounts that don’t add value to your life, or consistently make you feel worse. Unfollow accounts that you no longer enjoy or connect with. Make sure your feed reflects the kind of information you want to take in.

4. Be intentional about time spent on social media

Put structure and boundaries in place to help you avoid feeling overwhelmed. If you’re addicted to Instagram, see what happens if you set a timer and spend only a half-hour a day on it. And during that time, aim to slow your scroll so that you can process the information better.

Try an app that is designed to help you focus, such as Forest App, which grows digital trees the longer you stay off your phone. There are apps and browser extensions for desktop that block distracting sites and help you focus.

5. Replace low-value information with high-value alternatives

Aim for higher quality information. Bite-sized social posts often are designed to provoke you, while longer-form content can give you a broader perspective. Read more books and other long-form content rather than getting most of information in bite-sized pieces that allow no nuance. This will have an added benefit of improving your focus and concentration.

6. Allow space and time for boredom

Boredom is healthy for you. It creates more mental space so you can be more creative and reflective. Find ways to create more space in your life. Rather than reaching for your phone as soon as you wake up, just enjoy laying in bed. Rather than listening to a podcast on walks, listen to the sounds of nature and reflect on your own thoughts. We’ve forgotten how to be bored, and it’s time to try it again.

7. Spend time in a retreat

We all need a break from the noise. Every week, find a way to dedicate time for self-care activities. These include meditation, journaling, and relaxing hobbies. Read more about how to go on a restful retreat.

8. Have a happy thought

When the noise feels chaotic, have a happy thought that you can direct your mind to instead. For example, focus instead on your loved ones: your spouse, your kids, or your pet. Or focus on your personal goal, and imagining a better future. Arm yourself with an affirmation or mantra, such as “I am safe and loved”. Find a thought that helps you feel grounded and safe, and hold onto it. This thought can be your armor against the noise of the Labyrinth.