How to Tell Signal from Noise

Lately, friends have been asking how to tell if something is a real signal or just noise. I once interpreted everything as a message from the universe and, as a result, fell into some dangerous traps. It’s taken me five years to discern what truly matters and what doesn’t. I’m still learning every day.

So please be careful not to get caught up in the habit of constantly searching for signals. When we try to find meaning in everything, we may start interpreting the signals to fit what we hope to see, rather than what’s actually there.

Instead, a good starting point is to be really honest with yourself about your current situation. Your energy, skills, time, money, etc. Take some time to map the gap between the "Me Now" and the "Desired Me". That gap can help explain why you're in search for signals in the first place.

How we're feeling can reveal how we wish to be treated. There are no bad emotions. Unwanted emotions (like fear, anger, and jealousy) are simply harder to make sense of or work through. It does help to work with a mental health professional.

Physical discomfort is another kind of signal. It may be your body telling you something needs to change. It's important not to wait until these signals become too loud to ignore. Well, I learned this the hard way. By the time I was diagnosed with cancer, the damage had already begun.

And shiny object syndrome? We often get excited by new things pushed to us by algorithms or through well-meaning advice. But not everything new is an opportunity for something positive. Some are simply noise. One thing I've learned is to quickly jot down short sentences about a new thing or something I felt in the moment, and then revisit it later to expand on the thought and make my own judgement call without distractions. Often, it turns out not as important or urgent as initially perceived.

Lastly, the absence of a signal can be a sign in itself. Do give your mentally-drained self a break. Rather than rushing toward a conclusion, sit in the quiet and give yourself space to reflect. Maybe the "Desired Me" is not what you're truly looking for, but some Frankenstein created by external pressures.