Running in ever-decreasing circles?
- Jules Wood
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read

Life seems to be spinning faster and faster. Partly that’s age and life stage, but partly it’s the technological whirlwind we now live in.
Technology is incredible: we can check in for a flight on the loo, order a random gadget from Amazon while standing in a queue, or have an entire week’s shopping appear at our doorstep the very next morning. We can reach each other any time of the day or night.
But whilst these things are all supposed to make our lives easier, we often find ourselves frustrated if they don’t work instantly, and they’re almost making things worse. We’re outraged when a WhatsApp or email goes unanswered for more than a few minutes. We chase. We assume something’s wrong. We’ve lost patience, and with it, our ability to simply wait. And the clever apps which are supposed to save us time have somehow led us to believe that we can cram more and more and MORE into the same 24 hours we’re always had, and we are running around in ever decreasing circles.
Where we once had small, natural pauses in our days – waiting for the kettle to boil, the unhurried ritual of writing a letter, even just sitting on a bus looking out the window - we now tend to fill and consume and numb. News, social media, podcasts, constant phone calls, Zoom meetings. Instead of gaps, we’ve created noise. Instead of presence, we’ve created distraction.
The result? Our nervous systems rarely get a break. We live in a low-level state of hyper-vigilance - always “on,” always stimulated, always waiting for the next ping, scroll, or demand. Over time, this leaves us anxious, wired, and exhausted.
That’s why nervous system regulation has never been more important. We desperately need to prioritise practices that bring us back into balance, that remind our bodies what safety and calm feel like. This might look like:
Breathwork – slowing down the breath to signal safety to the body.
Journaling – creating space to process your thoughts instead of drowning in them.
Movement – stretching, walking, exercising or dancing to release energy and tension.
Nature time – allowing stillness, fresh air, and green spaces to soothe the senses.
Boundaries with tech – reclaiming those small pauses in the day, unplugging from the constant stream.
The world is unlikely to slow down any time soon. But we can. And we MUST. And in doing so, we remind ourselves that we are not machines. We are human beings with bodies and minds that need rest, rhythm, and regulation.
The more we practice, the more resilient we become: better able to face the rush of modern life without being swept away by it. Regulating our nervous systems isn’t a luxury – it’s absolutely essential. What can you do today to give your nervous system a hug? (You can join my Monthly Journal Club, for a start! More info here)
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