Life, Popular, Travel

Cutting the Noise

20 June

Revised March 22, 2025

noise /noiz/
noun

A sound, especially one that is loud or unpleasant or that causes disturbance.

I’ve officially been gallivanting across the globe for a full year, on what I like to call my Eat… Pray… Gym (self and financial improvement and wellness) journey. While I’m nowhere near the finish line (is there even a finish line for self-improvement?), I’ve made some major life shifts both before leaving the States and since living overseas that have improved my mindset and balance immensely. But let’s be real: sometimes it’s not the grand, dramatic changes that make the biggest impact. Rather, it’s the tiny, seemingly insignificant tweaks that bring the most peace.

I know that not everyone can just up and move abroad to chase self-betterment (I acknowledge my privilege here), but that’s exactly why I’m sharing these small but mighty changes… ones that anyone, anywhere, can implement to cut the noise and reclaim their mental peace.

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Unsubscribe from Junk Emails & Texts:

This wasn’t a direct result of moving abroad, but it sure as hell set the tone for my journey. Like many millennials, I’ve had the same email address since college. You know, back when it seemed like a genius idea to include our birth year (why did we do this to ourselves?!). Fast forward to facing down my forties, and that inbox is basically a graveyard of marketing emails and random sign-ups I don’t even remember agreeing to. Instead of mindlessly deleting them, I started unsubscribing one by one. It’s shocking how much lighter life feels when you’re not bombarded with 30 “FLASH SALE” emails before noon. Try it … it’s like closing a few of those million tabs that always sit open in your brain.

Turn off Social Media Notifications:

Ah, social media. The gift and the curse that keeps on giving. I think we all go through phases of major over-sharing on, and ultra-detoxing from social media. Before leaving the States, I only used Instagram and Facebook Messenger (because I am the daughter of Boomers and that is all they use), and the constant like, comment, share, follow, and marketing streams were annoying at best. As such, I’ve had many love-hate relationships with Instagram: deleting the app in frustration, only to re-download it weeks later like a toxic ex. However, since leaving the States I found a compromise: I turned off all notifications. Now, I only check Instagram (and my newfound addiction, Threads) when I want to, not because my phone is demanding my attention. I also removed like counts from my posts, which means my IG experience is now about expression, not validation. If you haven’t tried this yet, I highly recommend it. Turns out, if you’re not constantly nudged to check who liked what, you just… forget to care.

Set Time Limits for Apps:

This one took longer to implement. It wasn’t until I landed in South Korea (June 2024) that I had my moment of reckoning. I was mid-doom-scroll, and it hit me: I did not leave the country to stare at my phone. So, I set app time limits. Have I dismissed them? Absolutely. But every time I tap “Ignore for 15 minutes,” it’s a little reality check. That gentle reminder alone has been enough to get me off my phone sooner than I normally would. Progress, not perfection, right?!

Exercise (Or Just Move More):

This one may seem obvious, but moving abroad drastically changed my relationship with movement. While I’ve been consistently working out for the better part of four years (and STILL have 25–30 pounds to lose), the intensity of my daily activity has increased exponentially since leaving the U.S. The most obvious reason? I don’t have a car… duh. In the sprawling DFW Metroplex, I drove everywhere. Now? No car, no problem. My feet have become my default mode of transportation, and I’ve never felt better. Public transit life has also made me realize how much unnecessary time I used to spend sitting in traffic, slowly losing my will to live.

For the two months I spent in the Gothic Quarter in Barcelona, I didn’t use a vehicle of any kind. Not once. I arrived at my Airbnb in an Uber and didn’t step into another vehicle (car, train, bus, or otherwise) again until I needed a ride to the airport. Every day, I walked everywhere I needed to go. And while I’ve made it a point to get a month-to-month gym membership anywhere I’ve stayed for an extended period, walking every day has done more for my overall joint health and mental well-being than any supplement, detox, or fad diet I’ve tried to this point. It sounds cliché, but if you can, incorporate more walking into your daily routine. It’s an instant mood booster.

Find the Sun:

If you’re moving more, chances are you’re finding the sun. And let me tell you, sunlight is my lifeline. I don’t need to go into the science of vitamin D, but I will say this: my personal happiness is directly correlated to how much natural light I get. Case in point: my Airbnb in El Born, Barcelona. No windows in the common areas. None. And only one in my room, which housed a massive air conditioning unit, was home to more than a few pigeon families, and faced another tall 100-year-old brick building, thus allowing no direct sunlight to penetrate. Within 48 hours, my skin was crawling. I had to force myself out every day to avoid spiraling. Even on my most exhausted days, staying inside wasn’t an option. Navigating my way through the winding cobblestone streets and centuries-old buildings for 15 minutes until I met the main roads and access to the direct sun was a game-changer. Intentionally finding the sun every day helped at least put a dent in my depressive swings, and it’s become a daily habit I’ve carried with me to South Korea, Barbados, and now, Thailand.

Get Lost in Translation (Literally):

With all the chaos in the world (Russia-Ukraine, Israel-Palestine, *gestures to ALL of the United States,* inflation, climate change, the war on the rights of women and the LGBT+ community, you name it), I deliberately chose to travel to places where I don’t speak the language (save Barbados, because… BEACHES). Sounds counterintuitive, but hear me out: if you can’t understand the everyday conversations around you, you don’t absorb the negativity or opinions. Back home, it’s impossible to tune out news, gossip, and stress-inducing chatter. But abroad? I exist in blissful ignorance. It also forces me to be more present and in the moment, and more resourceful and discerning. You know, so I don’t accidentally jump on a metro train headed to Ban Rak Thai instead of Bang Po Beach. And sure, I’ve had my fair share of awkward Google Translate moments, but overall, it’s been freeing.

Change Your Number:

This one was a long time coming. I thought about changing my number for years, but after leaving Barbados, I finally pulled the trigger. Why? Because nothing says “fresh start” like a clean slate. No more random texts from numbers I should’ve deleted years ago. No more unsolicited marketing calls. No more worrying about my car’s extended warranty. And best of all? The only people who have my number now are the ones who need it. If you’ve ever considered doing this, take this as your sign. It’s liberating.

The moral of the story? Cutting the noise doesn’t always require drastic measures. Sometimes, it’s about small, intentional changes that create space for clarity and peace.