Welcome to Letters From Zen, a podcast about the stories, ideas, and practices that inspire and shape our daily lives. I’m Zenya—Zen for short—your host and fellow traveler on this journey to explore how we can make life a little easier, a little richer, and a lot more meaningful.

For my long-time listeners, I've rebranded a little to encompass more of the things I love engaging with. I hope you enjoy these changes as much as I do.

In this episode, I explore the impact of sensory overload, especially from digital devices, on our mental and physical well-being. Discover how sensory overload manifests, learn to recognize its signs, and get practical tips for managing it through boundaries, mindfulness, and self-care.

I would love to get acquainted, discuss self-care, or even collaborate on something: ⁠Click here to connect with me!⁠

Please Note!!! If you find yourself struggling with sensory overload and it's becoming too much, it might be a good idea to ask for help or reach out to a professional! Therapists, doctors, and counsellors will be better equipped to understand your needs than random people like me on the internet! I'm just here to support you on your journey <3

Timestamps

00:00 Are You Feeling Overstimulated Too?

01:05 Introduction

02:09 Sensory Overload

05:15 3 Easy Tips

12:07 Media Consumption and Sensory Overload

14:55 Embracing Imperfection and Practicing Self Compassion

16:30 Conclusion

Are you lost about what to do next with your life? Are you feeling stuck or have you been feeling anxious about the future?

In this episode I discuss how we can use the act of returning to familiar activities, interests, places and things as a way to navigate uncertainty. I share my experiences with returning to my personal interests of reading and writing right now in my life as I navigate the post-university fear of the future.

I would love to hear from you: [email protected]

Connect with me here: https://linktr.ee/zenyasiyad

Are you trying to stay informed about the Israel-Palestine war? Are you completely out of the loop and feel like you don't know where to start?

This episode is not going to be telling you why you should fight for Palestine. I am tired of trying to explain to people why Palestine deserves our attention, our compassion, and our action right now. I am tired of trying to explain why Palestine is at the risk of genocide at the hands of settler colonialism.

Instead, this episode will encourage you to stay informed so that you may decide for yourself what is humane and just. Knowledge begets compassion, and compassion begets action.

For those of you who want to support Palestine but do not know where to start, this episode will also suggest a few ways you can do your part.

Donate here:

UNRWA

Save The Children

PRCS

ANERA

The poem at the episode is by Mahmoud Darwish. Not sure what it is called, but here are its words:

The war will end and

the leaders will shake hands,

and that old woman will remain

waiting for her martyred son,

and that girl will wait

for her beloved husband,

and the children will wait

for their heroic father.

I do not know who sold the homeland,

But I know who paid the price.

In this episode, I delve into the practical side of holistic self-care. We're talking about habits and rituals, how they're different, and why they matter. Whether it's starting your day mindfully or moving your body, small steps lead to big changes. I share simple tips and how to stay consistent, even when life gets hectic. Plus, I'll share a personal story of how I used to try be mindful back when I was in highschool. Let's make self-care a routine, not a rarity. Tune in, and let's find magic in the mundane together.

Connect with me on my social media: https://linktr.ee/zenyasiyad

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction

00:54 Habits And Rituals

03:03 Practical Habit 1: Mindfulness

06:34 Practical Habit 2: Exercise

08:13 Intentionality and its Importance

09:41 How To Stay Consistent

14:32 Summary

17:13 Conclusion