Last week, I felt like I was drowning. My anxiety was sky-high, and my energy was down to fumes. It was like swimming through mud—every task felt monumental, and I couldn’t seem to clear my head. Frustrated, I picked up the phone and called my therapist.
“I have so many things to do and way too much anxiety… I almost feel a little panicky,” I told her. “I just don’t know what to focus on.”
Her response stopped me in my tracks. “It sounds to me like your main focus has to be your nervous system,”
she said.
My nervous system? I wasn’t sure what she meant at first, but something clicked. I’d been so consumed with the noise of life—emails, politics, notifications, and constant multitasking—that even a moment of peace felt out of reach. My body was screaming for calm, and I hadn’t heard it until that moment.
Can you relate?
Shortly after our call, I made a choice: I turned off my phone. Completely off. I decided it was time to truly disconnect—for at least one day. But it felt so good that I extended it for three.
Disconnecting to Reconnect
The first few hours felt strange. I kept reaching for my phone out of habit, only to remember it was off. But as time passed, something unexpected happened—my nervous system started to relax. Without the endless stream of notifications and demands, my mind began to clear.
That clarity led me to do something I hadn’t done in a long time—I went down into town for an afternoon stroll. Normally, I would’ve had my phone in hand, checking messages, scrolling aimlessly, or making my to-do list for later. But without that constant distraction, I was more present to the world around me.
And that’s when it happened. I started really connecting with people. I met some incredibly interesting individuals—one who shared a fascinating story about their condo in Chincoteague and invited us to stay, and another who gave me a great tip for a hiking trail nearby. These conversations were simple, yet deeply grounding in a way I hadn’t experienced in a while.
It hit me later just how much I would have missed if I’d been buried in my phone like usual. Turning off my device allowed me to truly see the opportunities for connection that had been around me all along.
By the end of that first day, I felt something I hadn’t felt in a long time—the beginnings of inner calm. Slowly, I started to gain clarity about not only what I needed to do but also how I wanted to show up in my life.
When I finally turned my phone back on three days later, I wasn’t the same. That brief break helped me realize I needed to rethink my relationship with my phone. It wasn’t just a tool for communication; it had morphed into a source of stress, distraction, and lost moments of connection.
Building Boundaries with My Phone
For now, my phone spends most of its time on airplane mode. I no longer multitask by firing off emails or texts
while trying to do other things—it wasn’t helping anyone (especially me). And you know what? The results have been profound.
My brain feels clearer, the creative ideas are flowing, and that constant undercurrent of stress is much calmer. More importantly, though, I’ve noticed that I’m not missing as many opportunities for the kind of meaningful, in-person connections that truly enrich life. It turns out, turning down the volume on my phone has turned the volume up on my life.
What About You?
If you’re reading this and you’re feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or stuck creatively, I have to ask—what’s your relationship with your phone?
It might seem like a strange question, but trust me, it’s worth considering. How often do you check it? How much time do you spend tethered to notifications, emails, and social media? And most importantly, how does it make you feel?
I don’t have all the answers yet—I’m still figuring out what boundaries I need with my phone. But I’ve experienced the power of stepping away, and I believe you can too.
Consider giving it a try. Maybe it’s a day, or just an afternoon. Maybe it’s turning off notifications or putting your phone on airplane mode during specific parts of the day. Start small, and see how it feels.
You might be surprised by the peace and clarity that comes when you stop swimming through the digital mud—and even more surprised by the meaningful connections you might discover when you’re fully present.
Final Thoughts
Your nervous system matters. Your mental health matters. And sometimes, finding calm and clarity means
stepping away from the noise—even if it’s just for a little while.
Take a moment to think about what small change you can make today to bring some peace into your life. It could be as simple as turning off your phone and taking a walk. Who knows? You might meet someone amazing or see something beautiful you would’ve otherwise missed.
Your mind—and your nervous system—will thank you.
Here’s To Your Greatness,
Misti Burmeister
Misti Burmeister has been solving people problems and empowering leaders for nearly 20 years, increasing engagement and productivity across generations. Help your team reach its highest potential at https://www.MistiBurmeister.com