Our poor little brains. They weren't built to process the sheer volume of opinions we now absorb daily through our screens – the good, the bad, the ugly, the informed, the doom-mongering, the toxic positivity, the clueless, and everything in between.
When your thinking space is constantly invaded by an algorithm-curated stream of contradictory viewpoints, it becomes increasingly difficult to:
- Hold onto your own perspective without second-guessing
- Trust your instincts about what feels right for you
- Write copy that sounds genuinely like you
- Make decisions without spiralling into analysis paralysis
- Maintain a consistent direction rather than chasing every new trend
It's information overload. It's opinion overload. And the mental gymnastics required to continually process, filter and respond to these opinions is exhausting.
No wonder clarity feels so elusive.
Context collapse in your own mind
There's a concept called context collapse – when different audiences intersect on social platforms, leading to misinterpretations when our thoughts get served up to people we never intended to reach.
But I'm seeing something else emerge: context collapse within our own minds.
The boundaries between our own viewpoint and the sea of opinions we're swimming in have become blurred to the point of invisibility.
It's a pattern I've noticed speaking to clients recently. The deeper we get into the conversation, the more people say things like:
"I've lost sight of where my own opinions end, and everything I've read on LinkedIn starts."
"I keep changing direction because I read something that makes me question my entire approach."
"I get trapped in a comparison cycle and find it hard to stand firm in my own beliefs."
How to reclaim your thinking space
If you're feeling this kind of overwhelm, my advice is simple: turn it all off.
But what does that actually look like in practice? Here are some tangible ways to create the space for your own thoughts to resurface:
1. Rediscover physical media
Print out articles you want to read instead of consuming them on screen. Without the distractions of notifications and the temptation to immediately check comments, you can process information more deeply.
The physical act of highlighting and scribbling notes in margins engages different parts of your brain, creating stronger connections to your existing knowledge and beliefs.
Unexpected bonus: it feels like being back at uni.
2. Process first, consume opinions second
When you encounter new ideas, capture your initial reactions before seeking out what others think. Keep a notebook handy and write down your unfiltered thoughts – what resonates, what doesn't, questions that arise.
This creates a record of your own perspective before it gets diluted by the noise of public discourse.
3. Walk it out
There's something almost magical about walking that clarifies thinking. Take an audiobook or podcast on a walk, or go in silence use the time to process the noise in your own head.
The combination of rhythmic movement, nature, and distance from screens creates ideal conditions for your mind to make unexpected connections and rediscover its own voice.
4. Schedule thinking time
Block out dedicated time in your calendar – even just 30 minutes a week – where your only job is to think. No input, no output, just staring at a wall and processing. It might feel uncomfortable at first (our brains are now wired for constant stimulation), but stick with it.
This is where your most valuable insights often emerge.
5. Create boundaries around inputs
Be ruthlessly selective about whose opinions you consume. Unfollow liberally. Use tools that deliver content without algorithms or comment sections. Consider a "content budget" – limiting how much external information you allow into your mental space each day.
When I'm feeling particularly overwhelmed, I set a 20 minute timer for LinkedIn browsing then activate my app blocker and lock myself out for 24 hours (of blissful peace).
The value of a sounding board
Sometimes, it takes another person to help us distinguish our own thoughts from the collective noise. Someone who knows how to listen and reflect in ways that help us hear ourselves more clearly.
I've created a service that does just that: the creative sounding board sessions.
The aim is to create a self-reflective space where you can hear yourself think again. It's a chance to process what you already know and believe, without the constant bombardment of everyone else's opinions.
In a creative sounding board session, we dig through the layers of "should" and "everyone says" to find the clarity that's already there within you. We strip away the layers of external influence and self-doubt, so your voice can emerge with confidence.
Afterwards, you'll receive a one-page document capturing the strategic breakthrough from our session in whatever format will be most useful for you – narrative framework, messaging hierarchy, step-by-step action plan, or something else entirely.
Here's a case study of my client (Amanda) who inspired this new service.
If you're feeling the kind of overwhelm I've talked about today, perhaps this service could help you?
I'm running an introductory offer: £250 for bookings made in April (full price £500).
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