For introverts, over-stimulation is what Kryptonite is to Superman.
Crowds drain them. Parties wear them down. Too many reels rob their sleep.
And the kind of world we are living in these things are unavoidable.
As I explained in the last newsletter, introverts are super sensitive. Their sense organs are more sensitive than others. That’s why too much of anything can overwhelm them.
Today, I’ll share with you what over-stimulation does to introverts and some simple little things that can help you calm your over-stimulated brain.
A few years ago I went through a phase of complete disconnection from my interests.
I am a simple guy. I have 3 passions: reading books, watching auteur films, and exploring & listening to all kinds of music.
But for almost 6 to 8 months, I didn’t read a single book, I couldn’t watch a 2 hour movie, and music just disappeared from my life.
And I was the same guy who used to go to the old Delhi every Sunday to buy books cheap from street hawkers in my teens, rip CDs for my music collection, and download movies from torrents to curate films by my favourite directors.
Yes, I’m a nerd. A music, film, and book nerd. It was a gift. It made me feel cool.
But then I stop doing everything. Why?
Because slow stimulation from doing the nerdy things I loved was replaced by fast stimulation from gazillion YouTube videos, 10-second reels, and endless movies and music from online streaming.
I lost my drive that pushed me to explore my passions. Life became an endless consumption of cheap dopamine.
According to Biology, we still have our primitive patterns intact in our brains. The same patterns that helped us create tools and discover fire in the jungles.
But imagine if food was available all the time, we would have no drive to explore countries, build tools, or discover fire.
It’s the “lack” that drives us forward.
And it was this lack of “lack” that disconnected me from my passions.
Psychological studies have shown that the reason for a lot of mental health issues like depression, lack of motivation, anxiety is directly related to over-stimulation.
And it’s especially bad for introverts. Because you are already super sensitive. And this constant stimulation overload can fry your nervous system.
Over-stimulation robs you of your creativity, passions, hobbies, the drive to explore. And replaces it with cheap 10-sec dopamine hits.
So today I want to share with you some personal little things that helped me connect back with my lost passions and calm my over-stimulated brain.
1. Sitting under the Sun
Nothing calms you down like warmth of the Sun. There is something so healing about it. Just feeling the gentle warmth on your skin.
And I’ll be honest, despite being a writer it is something that cannot be put into words but can only be experienced.
Try it.
2. Doing nothing
Simply pause at any moment in your day and listen to your breath.
The pleasure and calm you get from this is unmatched.
Wherever you may be in your life or in your mind, it instantly brings you back to the present and washes you with a feeling of intense calm.
I’ll simply stare out the window and trust me, I can do it for hours.
3. Listening to calming music
Music is all about personal taste. I get it. I am a big rock fan myself.
But listening to fast beats and viral Pop songs can over-stimulate your nervous system, leaving you with a feeling of overwhelm.
When you are craving peace and calm, listen to calming music.
Here are my top 3 favourites:
– “Gnossiennes” 1,2,3 by Erik Satie
– “In The Mood For Love” movie soundtrack
– “Peace Piece” by Bill Evans
4. Watch a slow-burn movie
Slow-burn refers to the kind of movies in which the plot unfolds very slowly.
It’s just pure art.
These movies help you experience & appreciate the little things which these fast-paced new age films miss out.
And introverts are all about these little things in life. No?
Now I can go on and on about it.
So my inner-nerd told me to stop here and just share with you some of my favourites:
– Literally any film directed by Stanley Kubrick, Ingmar Bergman, Quentin Tarantino, Christopher Nolan.
– “Stalker” by Andrei Tarkovsky
– “Memories of Murder” by Bong Joon-ho
– “Zodiac” by David Fincher
– “The Power of the Dog” by Jane Campion
– “True Detective” (Season 1 only) by Cary Joji Fukunaga
These are not just films, it’s art in its purest form.
5. Taking digital breaks
Use technology, don’t let it use you.
If you’ve been following me for a long time, you must know that sometimes I don’t tweets for days in a row.
I don’t go anywhere. I’m at home, detoxing my brain.
Spend a day or two away from using any kind of social media. No reels, no YouTube, no X. Nothing.
Just use that time to explore your hobbies.
Trust me, you’re gonna feel amazing.
6. Embracing old technology
Old tech has not only a feeling of nostalgia, but it also makes you feel calm.
Old tech was simple. It was designed to do just one thing well.
Like calculators. Walkmans. iPods. An alarm clock. Notebooks.
Simplicity brings calm.
I still write first draft of any piece of content using pen and paper
Here is today’s:
It’s messy. It’s inconvenient. It takes more time and effort.
But the feeling… the feeling just hits you diffrent.
And that feeling is one hundred percent worth the extra effort.
These were just things that work for me.
When you take a break and rest your mind, you’ll discover your own.
The simple little things you used to love as a kid.
And trust me, it sometimes brings tears to the eyes.
Tears of joy. Tears of happiness. Tears of feeling like yourself again.
Stay blessed,
Karun
You can learn more about how to connect with your authentic self in my book “Born to Stand Out”.