This spring, I noticed that I had many events that I needed or wanted to attend in the same week. As I was putting these events on my calendar, I realized that I would not be able to function properly for several weeks under social pressure. However, I pushed myself beyond my limits, and I now recognize that I need to learn more about self-leadership. I never had a permanent network or a family, which I think is a significant influence on why some social situations feel hard for me. As a result, my behaviour might seem social to some people, while it might appear withdrawn to others. Although I was very introverted at times, I made a conscious effort to educate myself and push myself in social situations. Now I realize that I can adapt to situations in different ways and that I am an observer.

Social overload is not helped by the constant buzzing of the phone. Many people think that messages should be answered immediately because things are considered so important. I have found this challenging, especially now that I am a student. Many people seem to have a lot to learn about scheduling, which creates challenges and pressure on other team members. Leaving things to the last minute rarely results in anything good happening. I have to say that this was much easier to manage when I was working. I just ignored the work phone in my free time. On the other hand, I do not see social media as much of a problem for me, but I think it can be a challenge, especially for the younger generation. I have never been very active on any social media channels. On the contrary, I have recently been trying to push myself to experiment and learn about the possibilities of different channels.

SELF-LEADERSHIP AND MINDFULNESS

Mindfulness skills facilitate for successful self-leadership. Being consciously present in the moment helps us to understand, process, and act on the information around us. Our thoughts have immense power, especially when emotions are running high or there is a crisis in life. This can often cloud our awareness of the present moment, causing our thoughts to wander and take over completely. However, even in distressing situations, it is possible to learn from ourselves and take control of the situation through mindfulness practices. Mindfulness skills enable you to accept your own shortcomings and limitations and be patient with them. These skills help build confidence in your ability to deal with emotional pain, leading to a better understanding of yourself and improving your self-awareness (Ruukku & Salmimies, 2016.)

Observing, understanding, and consciously guiding your own thoughts, feelings, will, values, and experiences are key to a better life and happiness. It is also important to revise the interpretations made in your mind. As people go through different stages of life, their perspective on life changes, making self-management a lifelong process. It is a way of life, a constant exploration of the self, and a search for meaning (Ruukku & Salmimies, 2016.)

Self-leadership is an essential part of personal development and can help individuals achieve their goals and aspirations. One of the key components of self-leadership is self-awareness. This involves being aware of one’s own strengths and weaknesses, as well as one’s values, beliefs, and priorities. By understanding yourself, you can make decisions that are aligned with your own values and goals. Self-awareness also allows individuals to identify areas for improvement and to develop a plan for personal growth.

RESPONSIBILITY

Because social overload can also have a physical impact, it’s important to learn to recognise your own limits. Avoiding social overload is also important for the community and the team. When individuals do not take care of their own wellbeing, their stress and exhaustion can spread to the surrounding community, leading to wider stress and exhaustion. This can undermine the resilience and ability of the entire community to function effectively.

It is also important to understand that the effects of social overload are individual and can vary from person to person. Some people may be able to handle a greater number of social situations than others. Each person needs to find their own way of managing social strain and recognizing when and how to deal with challenging situations. I believe that everyone has a responsibility to manage their own social overload, and this is based on taking care of themselves and their own wellbeing. This requires an awareness of one’s own needs and limitations, as well as the ability to say no and make changes to one’s behavior and life when necessary.

SOURCES

Ruukku, S. Salmimies, R.  2016. Itsensä johtaminen. Helsinki: Alma Talent. E-book. Referenced 30.4.2023. Requires a licence. https://verkkokirjahylly.almatalent.fi/teos/CABBBXXTBBAED#kohta:ITSENS((c4)((20)JOHTAMINEN((20)/piste:b0