Pulling the Handbrake: A Firebreak from Social Media
Last week, I did something I hadn’t allowed myself to do in a long time — I pulled the handbrake.
Not on my car, but on social media.
A deliberate pause. A firebreak.
I needed to create some quiet from the constant noise and momentum of being on — showing up, scrolling, posting, reacting, absorbing. Instagram especially had become a space that felt incredibly loud with advice, tips, tricks, and yet eerily quiet at the same time. Quiet in the ways that matter — in the meaningful interactions that make these platforms worth being on in the first place.
I've been wondering: does it take a crisis to spark real connection online? Or is it simply that people crave authenticity — real stories that resonate, rather than perfectly curated content?
Over recent weeks, I had been feeling disillusioned. That feeling began seeping into how I was showing up in my brand and business. Social media felt like a chore, like noise I couldn’t filter out, something I had to do rather than something I felt inspired to share. I was overwhelmed, confused, and unsure how to engage in a way that felt aligned with who I am.
So I stepped back. And what I’ve learned in this short space of time has been powerful.
Boundaries Are Everything
One concept I’ve been reflecting on this week is from the Hoffman Technique — they describe a boundary as a door handle on the inside of your door. That image hit home hard. I realised I’ve often had the handle on the outside, letting people — and platforms — into my space without question. This week reminded me that I get to control which side of the door the handle is on.
I’ve always been an open book. I wear my heart on my sleeve. It’s part of what makes me who I am, but it also leaves me vulnerable to boundary creep. That lack of protection has bled into many areas of my life, including my relationship with social media.
From now on, I’m choosing to keep the handle on the inside — especially with how I engage online.
This break wasn’t just a digital detox — it was an act of self-care. A wellbeing decision. One I needed to honour the values I hold not only for myself, but also for this brand. A pause like this isn’t a luxury, it’s a practice — the kind I gently encourage others to explore too.
Reclaiming Space and Clarity
Stepping away from the daily grind of building my business gave me exactly what I didn’t know I needed: space to think, breathe, and listen. To tune in.
We’re often told to just keep going, to push through the discomfort and hustle harder. But sometimes the most productive thing we can do is stop. Completely.
Last week, I reached a point where I couldn’t keep pushing. The overwhelm caught up with me and forced me to pause. It was scary, disorienting, and filled with self-doubt — but it was also the interruption I needed.
In the quiet, I reconnected with myself. I remembered why I started this business, how I want to lead it, and what truly matters in the way I show up — both online and offline.
This experience reminded me why I do what I do — and it’s given me clarity on how I want to support others who may be feeling the same fog I found myself in. This brand has never been about performance — it’s about presence. And that starts with my own.
Remembering My Support System
In that space, I also remembered something vital: I need support. I had let go of some key pillars in my life — my coach and my therapist. For two months, life got in the way, and I thought I was doing okay without those regular check-ins. But it caught up with me.
These aren’t just nice-to-haves. They’re non-negotiables for my mental clarity and emotional resilience. Getting back into that rhythm is now part of the boundary I’m rebuilding — around myself, my energy, and my wellbeing.
So here I am, with a different perspective.
I’m not quitting social media — I’m choosing to engage with it on my terms. I’m showing up with the handle firmly on my side of the door, sharing from a place of alignment and integrity rather than pressure and performance.
If you’re feeling the same overwhelm — if social media or business or just life feels like too much — maybe this is your sign to pause. To breathe. To ask yourself what boundaries need to be re-drawn, and where you’ve left the handle on the outside.
What would it look like to move it back to the inside?
You are allowed to stop. You are allowed to recalibrate. And you are allowed to lead from rest — not just resilience.