Prompt: What does it mean to unplug from this world?
“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes.”
A reflection on exhaustion; how we are all experiencing some form of exhaustion in the current time period. With much access to many things; with many struggling to make ends meet, we have to go above and beyond to make sure that the compassionate feeling we want to receive in these moments of exhaustion is brought out from will; always strive to be a helping hand for those who are exhausted; they will come to aid you when you are feeling the heat as well.
From Lamott’s perspective, I can really get behind that notion of just unplugging for just a few minutes and coming back a little stronger than where I was before. That concept shows me that it is possible to keep that perspective alive when one is in moments of crisis. I have been reading more on what it is like to keep a focused mindset, how to handle situations that seem to be exhausting us more and more by the day; that eyes never get a break from the light sources that are truly all around us. I have even been testing the concepts of light and how we should be ingesting it. Being exhausted is a culmination of multiple things happening in one’s life; whether that be a relationship crisis, a work event or presentation, making sure the kiddos are okay and safe, the chores around the house are not getting done because you are stressed in other areas, but this alone will make you more exhausted; and around the wheel we go with more and more battles that test our perseverance.
One of the few things we can do as people who are feeling this exhaustion is to make sure we are finding the time for ourselves to regroup. Think about that for a second; if one is exhausted on the battlefield, exhausted on the basketball court, exhausted during the work presentation, exhausted when the kids are screaming in your face - one always needs minutes of absolute autonomy to get back to a state of self. When one is always around people and always making attempts for the good virtues we are trying to achieve, we wear ourselves down to a point where we ask why we keep going? Why is it so difficult to keep going even though I have the purpose right in front of me to keep trying? Why is it when I am trying to achieve this goodness, people are always trying to rip your soul apart? Life is a battle, plain and simple; however, don’t be discouraged by this thought, as it is one that prepares us to get rolling again.
Marcus Aurelius reminds us that we exist for one another; when a soldier is wounded on the battlefield, it is okay to ask for help, after all that is why we are here. We are here for each other, so don’t mix up the isolation thought with communion; we are meant to have that moment of unplugging, we are meant to have moments of crisis for ourselves. I have been learning that exact notion in Andrew Huberman’s new book Protocols where he talks about the brain and focus; how we are all naturally going through the wringer with our stressors in our minds. But how if we remember the notion that change requires stress and exhaustion, then we can willpower our way there. But remember that help is around you to assist. Whether one needs to unplug from the world or if they need to receive help getting to the destination that they are searching for; whatever that destination might be.
We can’t get discouraged when we hit these points of exhaustion. I find that to be one of the most important elements of the human condition. That perseverance is the route of goodness; that our minds are capable of taking that on and finding the answer we are searching for; whether that be good or bad. What I have noticed in this life is that exhaustion is normally met with much disappointment too. Most of our lives feature disappointments after disappointments; that is partly why it’s hard to believe in anything good because when one experiences only disappointments, one will start to believe that is the answer and the only answer. That is why it is important to be someone who gifts that person some assurance that it’s not always a disappointment. Exhaustion can be lifted in a matter of minutes if someone gifts that notion to someone. Be good to someone today - a stranger, a partner, a friend, a relative, yourself - show them that the world is more than a disappointment.
I see this quite a bit in our culture as I roam the streets of Minnesota. Observations show us much of how mannerisms show character. Heads down, screens on guiding us where we need to go, guiding us for the next purchase, guiding us with the next question we have to put in Google or AI - where is the connection? I have always struggled with digital landscape connection; and it works for some people, and that is something I must admit. It is perfectly okay to live in that world, however, digital versus physical reality is different. And in the digital world, one will not live forever. Everything is temporary as the Stoics would say; just like the physical reality, the digital reality will only last for so long. History has taught us to remain headstrong in the events that partake in our lives and how we have to respond to them. Things come and go so frequently that one can understand history from the perspective. It teaches us that every kind of character has existed throughout the whole human history.
This is partly why I bring up reading as something everyone should be doing. I want to showcase that reading gifts us with ancient wisdom to continue the lives of greats that came before us and how we are setting up more greats for the future. I might not be a historical person in history, but only time will tell if that is the case. And history has shown us too that exhaustion has always been there too, and how people were able to get through dark moments that they didn’t know were going to be historical events. Right now we are in a time where things could change or things could stay the same. I hope for the change because change is a good thing. Change is necessary to break exhaustion and hurt; change is necessary to move forward in time and to move on from the past that tends to break us downward all the time; change is the move one has to go to when they are feeling the bottom of the pit and no way can they get out. Be prepared for the exhaustion to come in no matter what, but remember to always ask for help; to reflect on the history books to carry you forward; or as Anne Lamott said, unplug it for a few minutes, almost everything will come back to restoration once again.
Main Thought: Exhaustion is hitting many of us right now in the current time period. Be sure to unplug from, not just the digital world, but the world itself. Gift others with kindness to show them that exhaustion can be uplifted if you are showing the heart outward. Challenge oneself to be selfless even when your mind is going through a tough time. One has no idea what it could lead to and what kind of feeling it could bring.
This post is part of my "Letters to Myself" series — a weekly free-write blog where I explore personal growth, curiosity, and healing through simple prompts. Sometimes reflective, sometimes fun, but always real. Thank you for being here.
References:
Photo by Kyle Gare
Lamott, Anne. Quote widely attributed to her, from her talks and writing on rest and unplugging.
Huberman, Andrew. Protocols. (2026)
Aurelius, Marcus. Meditations. (c. 161-180 AD)
