Lost in the Noise? It’s Time to Feel Like You Again

A sense of disconnection can be subtle at first. It might show up as restlessness, a quiet dissatisfaction, or a nagging feeling that you’re not quite living the life you want. You may be ticking all the boxes - work, family, responsibilities - yet wondering, Is this really me? Over time, this disconnect can leave you feeling unmotivated, emotionally flat, anxious, and exhausted - physically and mentally.

Even the simplest tasks can start to feel overwhelming. If any of this sounds familiar, it might be time to pause and make some changes. You don’t have to stay on the merry-go-round of stuck-ness.

Why Do So Many of Us Feel Disconnected?

Disconnection often stems from living in ways that aren’t aligned with who we really are. When we spend our energy meeting everyone else’s expectations - at work, at home, in relationships - it’s easy to lose sight of ourselves beneath all the shoulds.

You might feel like you’re performing a version of yourself to keep the peace or avoid conflict, playing the role of The Peacemaker. Somewhere along the way - perhaps in childhood - you learned to abandon your own needs to care for others. At the time, it may have been necessary for survival. But now, it’s simply exhausting.

Disconnection grows when we ignore our needs, override our boundaries, and silence our voice to keep others comfortable. But even if you feel lost or far from yourself, that part of you still exists - quietly waiting for you to return. Major transitions like the end of a relationship, a career change, or a significant life shift can leave us feeling untethered. Sometimes, you just want to feel like you again. That’s not only valid - it’s a powerful place to begin.

Where to Start: Connecting with Compassion

Reconnection doesn’t begin with force. It begins with kindness.

Dr. Kristin Neff, a leading researcher in self-compassion, identifies three essential elements:

• Self-kindness – meeting yourself with warmth, not criticism

• Common humanity – recognising that struggle is part of being human

• Mindfulness – staying present with your emotions, without avoidance or overwhelm

  
  

When we relate to ourselves with care, we create the conditions for lasting change - not from pressure, but from presence.

Gentle First Steps to Reconnect

Notice the signs

• Restlessness, lack of joy, emotional flatness, or just going through the motions—these are gentle signals calling for your attention.

Pause and reflect

• Ask: Am I living in alignment with what matters most to me? Notice where fear, guilt, or obligation may be leading your choices.

Get curious, not critical

• Let go of harsh self-judgment. Observe your patterns with compassion and interest.

Reconnect to your values

• Clarify what matters to you now. Your values are like a compass—they guide you home.

Let go of the “shoulds”

• Ask yourself: What would freedom or authenticity look like here?

Start small

• Reconnection doesn’t need to be dramatic. Tiny, consistent steps toward your truth are powerful.

Reach out for support

• Therapy can help you untangle old patterns and make space for the real you to emerge. You don’t have to do this alone.

Coming Home to Yourself

Reconnecting with yourself is possible - and it begins with remembering who you are underneath the noise. Think back to moments when you felt light, calm, playful, or energised.

• Who were you with?

• What were you doing?

• What made you feel most alive or at ease?

These glimpses are signposts. Notice them. Be curious. Be gentle with yourself as you explore what feels real and meaningful.

As you begin to return to yourself, you may find you show up differently - more grounded, more honest, more aligned. You choose connection not out of fear or obligation, but from a deep place of inner knowing. Most importantly - be you. Authentically. Unapologetically. You.

Reach out for support if you are ready HERE

References

Neff, K. D. (2003). Self-compassion: An alternative conceptualisation of a healthy attitude toward oneself. Self and Identity, 2 (2), 85–101. https://doi.org/10.1080/15298860309032