Clean Your F*cking House B*tch
Our minds are like houses. When they're new, they're empty. As we live our lives we acquire treasures that eventually turn into shit that creates clutter. Some of this stuff is useful, while some of it is simply junk which just creates obstacles for us. What if we could eliminate the nonsense we don't need, and create more room for useful things? Join us on this podcast where we discuss removing what we don't need, implementing beneficial changes to our minds, bodies and souls, to create a life of abundance and fulfillment.
Clean Your F*cking House B*tch
Ep. 108 - Clearing Mental Static: Finding Your True Signal
Every day, our minds are bombarded with information—some useful, much of it just noise. In this candid conversation about signal versus static, we explore how to cut through mental clutter to find what truly matters.
The mathematics of signal processing provides a fascinating parallel to our mental lives. Just as scientists work to extract meaningful data from background noise, we too must develop techniques to separate valuable insights from the constant stream of distractions bombarding our consciousness. Through personal examples—from treadmill sessions that clear mental space to the intentional interruption of negative thought patterns—we share practical approaches for achieving greater mental clarity.
Our discussion takes an honest look at today's heightened information environment. With social media algorithms designed to hijack attention and political discourse that often generates more heat than light, maintaining focus on what truly matters has become increasingly challenging. Yet within this complexity lies opportunity: by recognizing these external influences, we can develop stronger filters and deeper self-awareness.
The most powerful insights often come not from adding more information but from creating space for presence. Simple practices like intentional breathing, brief physical activity during workday frustrations, or scheduled moments of reflection can dramatically shift our relationship with mental static. We explore both the immediate benefits of these practices and how to extend their effects throughout your day.
Ready to clean your mental house? Join us for a refreshingly honest conversation about finding clarity in a noisy world. Subscribe now and learn how to amplify your inner signal while turning down life's unnecessary static.
Hello and welcome to Clean your Fucking House, bitch, with Nancy, kevin and Lou. In our program we get real about the challenges of life and living. Your mind is the most powerful tool you have to ensure you are on your desired path for success and satisfaction. Yet from the day you are born, you gradually and subconsciously fill it with tons of useless shit that gets in your way. Why is that? How can you clean that mess up? We'll show you how. Get ready to clean your fucking house.
Speaker 2:Hi everybody. We are starting out today with we're just we're not pulling words out of the hat, but we are just dropping this topic on the table and starting with the fresh, and that is signal versus static Really thinking about what are the signals out there and are we receiving them? What comes to mind first, Lou, because you seemed super enthusiastic about the idea of the topic. So what?
Speaker 1:comes to mind. You know, I am very excited, and you know why, nancy? Because the numbers guy here is going to chime in with a little bit of numerical wisdom, or at least numerical insights, numerical story, whatever you want to call it, because signal versus static is actually, say, a branch of mathematics or otherwise a concept in the mathematical world.
Speaker 2:Yes, woohoo, I was going to say statistics.
Speaker 1:I did not.
Speaker 2:We're not on statistics, but keep going.
Speaker 1:No, but there's always parallels to other worlds and what's interesting is it sort of does have that parallel meaning. You have a bunch of data, you're trying to analyze something and you need to break through the noise because, more often than not, whenever you're dealing with data, there could be outliers, there could be anomalies, there could be things that are really masking the true message, and when you toss that out right out there, without us, kevin or I even knowing where this was going, I was like she's speaking my language. I love it. Thank you, love that.
Speaker 2:So how do you break through the noise then? Because if you're the guy who is more linear, because formulas lead the way, how do you get the hell out of your own?
Speaker 1:You know what? And that's a great question because, much like again, using a little bit of a parallel in the math world, there are formulas or approaches or things you can do to try to remove noise or otherwise reduce the noise, to bring forward the true message, the true trend, the true story, whatever you want to call it. Everything has a story, even numbers. Same goes with the static versus signal in our own brains and our own lives and our own experiences every day, where things are going on, and especially in terms of our journey, because what to me that's probably the best? There's many, I guess, but you know the best example of something where, as you're going through life, you encounter a lot of static and you're trying to get your true purpose in life and your true passion and whatnot, and there's always static or something that gets in the way. And just like again, there's ways, there's formulas, there's approaches, there's things you can do to help reduce that static.
Speaker 2:What do you do?
Speaker 1:Wow, great question Again with the great questions, and you're not asking Kevin, you're asking me.
Speaker 2:Oh, he'll get a turn yeah.
Speaker 1:He's, he's thinking of the answers right now or thinking of something to say, but you know, uh, I think for me it is a matter of taking a breath, taking a step back, taking a moment, which oftentimes is both you know my moments of clarity and of static reduction.
Speaker 1:I'll call it Really a curse during workout times on the treadmill, things like that, where I'm, where I'm away from my day to day, my routine. So for me, having literally just breaking free from the routine and doing something else is is works best for me, cause certainly when I'm in the routine, I'm thinking of more what I'm doing in the moment, being present. We always talk about being present. That's important in many things, and especially with our work and things like that. So when I'm in the moment, there, I'm already focused on a certain thing. But you know, behind me the larger picture is really my life and where things are going. And it's when I'm done with the routine where I can now take a moment to relax and think about things. And more often than not, my own brain just goes into overdrive when, when I'm in physical activity.
Speaker 2:Yeah, goes into overdrive, or it allows you to let go of all the stuff that takes you into overdrive.
Speaker 1:You know, it could be both, I think. When I'm there now I'm focused on what I'm doing, say, to make sure I don't hurt myself. I got to, you know, make sure I'm, I got the buttons right and all that stuff. So you kind of focus on something different. But it pretty much is now a different, could be considered routine as well, but a different routine at the same one and pretty much allows me to ignore everything else that's going on. So you know what? I know I still got a long to-do list and things going on at the office, but it's going to sit there until tomorrow. I still got a long to-do list and things going on at the office, but it's going to sit there until tomorrow. Now I can pretty much swipe left, swipe right, whatever, create a clean slate and now work on on me and reducing some of that static.
Speaker 2:Cool. So you're doing something different and you're shifting in the front of your mind to something else.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yep, effectively.
Speaker 2:Okay, and the treadmill does it.
Speaker 1:It does more so than other things. You know that could be. I mean literally could just sit on the couch and think about things. There's nothing wrong with that either, but I think it, and maybe they get more to your. To your question about overdrive is for me, when I am in doing physical activity versus just something more sedentary, I certainly my brain starts to go into overdrive so I guess that sounds like a conflict is the only word that comes to mind, which I don't like.
Speaker 2:But so overdrive makes me think of someone spiraling and overthinking and getting stuck in their own thoughts, but it means something different to you.
Speaker 1:Yeah, sorry, I think in this case I'm thinking more like fast and furious, where I am going super, you know, super fast, but in a very controlled manner, nothing out of control, where I'm spinning, spinning out, nothing like that at all, just staying in the guardrails of the treadmill. Staying in the guardrails and what's the one from I think it's two or three where you're doing the Tokyo Drift. Tokyo Drift. Yeah, I'm doing my Tokyo Drift. Hell yeah, dude.
Speaker 3:I also like to walk sideways on the treadmill.
Speaker 1:And you know what?
Speaker 3:And that's actually a great way to gain like a level of focus or a level of, because you literally got a boy, you got to make sure you're. I walk backwards on a slight incline because my knees crack. Melissa helps with like inflammation and and gait. It's like your walk as you age, keeping your walking healthy. Can I go now, please? Oh, yes, please. All right, I'm just gonna share what came to mind first. It just jumped out in my head and it is at the risk of losing every listener since we started with math, so probably about half the people are still listening. I'm gonna jump into something that we actively try not to talk about, but literally what came to mind for me was politics.
Speaker 2:Oh, jesus right, here goes the other half yeah, that's what I said.
Speaker 3:Like all right, bye everybody. But that like it's no, it's noise, and you guys know that. I think most of the shit that we get fed is bullshit anyways. Right, not saying there's not conflict and bad shit in the world, but I think the information that comes to us is manipulated for sure.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 3:Right so, and it doesn't serve a good purpose. I've really not witnessed a conversation about politics that was like peaceful and achieved anything. Most people are arguing their side, even on the same side. They might be arguing with the interpretation of like it's just holy fuck Right, and so to me that's static right Conflict and arguing over something where you know, lou, you mentioned truth earlier right, finding truth. I don't see truth in that. I don feel truth in any any of it right if it separates people. I don't think that's truth in my definition of truth, lou, what you mentioned about so that's all I was going to say is like, that's what came to mind. I don't want to dive into it as a topic because, again, we're here to help people and get along.
Speaker 2:Right, please come back. Well, I think you're totally right, though, because you do get stuck with whatever that information is and then become static because it's out of context To your point, it's manipulated, or it's Left without parts, right, and so there is no context around the full story, and so you could spin and spin and never really understand and that, and so people do get stuck in that.
Speaker 3:I think anything like on a fundamental level, anything that's created or made to divide people, I think is is negative in general, right, but going back, so jumping out of it, I don't want to get into it. That's just what came to mind for me, okay, but I totally have a question. Can I continue, nancy? Wow, I have a point that I need to make and it has to do with the treadmill. It does kind of right, so I just wanted to mention so keep your, keep your question. But I just wanted to mention so keep your, keep your question. But I just wanted to say that, like for me kind of, where I hear you being Lou, for me, step one to get out of that noise and that static was finding that thing that kind of pulls you into the present moment. And you mentioned, like you're able to think, but think clearly, right, and like kind of solve things or feel. Maybe it's endorphins making you feel better or putting things into perspective. Whatever you, you leave feeling good.
Speaker 3:I have a thing like that, lou, you do nancy, I'm sure you have a thing like that also.
Speaker 3:But then the next evolution of that, in my opinion, is how, what, how can you find what to pull out of that hour a day into everyday life when things are hectic, because when you're in a certain environment where you know it's going to be peaceful and you know you're going to excel and feel good, awesome Everyone needs that, I feel like. But then when you leave there, is there any residual effect or impact of what you're having in that hour and you bringing it into the remainder of your day? Right, are you bringing this, this awareness and equanimity, into the workplace and into your friend circles and stuff you know? So that just came to mind for me and like maybe talking about some of the things that we do pull out of our good habits or out of that time we give ourselves, and how we can apply that to everyday life, I thought could be like a practical thing to talk about that. Maybe other people could try. But, nancy, what was your question? Go ahead.
Speaker 2:You kind of answered it, so your mind was totally aligned. Your mind was totally aligned. I mean, I was thinking about how do you, how do you differentiate those things that are conditioning your mind to what those signals that we talked about signals from inside are that you need to be hearing and thinking about and considering like, and how do you so separating those? And so for you also having a thing that allows you to be present I love the way you said that allows you to put all that shit aside, if you will.
Speaker 3:That's really the challenge, isn't it? Because it takes breaking down your ego in order to look through a different lens, because we know life is perception. We all look at life like our whole experiences are completely different than one another.
Speaker 2:But then, like you said, how can you make it have a residual effect? Like, does it have a residual effect? Good question. But then how can we expand that effect and carry it further into the day?
Speaker 3:I mean, I think Lou, what he does is what works for me is taking a breath, like intentionally breathing, Like I was driving with Melissa, I think, over the weekend or something, and I'm just like, I do it just randomly, I just when I think about it, I breathe very deep and slow and she's like what are you doing, like breathing? Why stay alive? What do you mean? You know, like, but it's like intentional and I want to connect with that part of me and it does help me ground into myself, right. And so I do think that, uh, that chemically we do carry on the benefits of our things at least working out or whatever, right, like you're carrying that with you.
Speaker 3:But whatever, whatever your thing is like, whatever you feel about it, whatever you can tap into that shit awareness, I guess, would be a good word Like that awareness that you are able to achieve what gets you there. And then, how can you like I have reminders set on my phone and it like literally will pop up like take three deep breaths, like just to try to connect throughout the day, because it's so easy to become reactive to everything around us.
Speaker 1:Especially you mentioned, and not that I want to go back, to go back to politics at all, but just to the concept that what it is today is not what it was some 30, 40, 50 years ago, at least in one in some ways. In other words, what I was exposed to myself growing up was a much different kind of level of civility, even in that area, but all areas, not just that. I mean that's one idea that you tossed out, one topic that creates a certain, a lot of static, but it seems many things do you know, social media and just so many things create static. And it feels like even some of the things we talk about that are beneficial and very helpful and do work, it's like, do we need more or do we need to do more of them? Do we need to do them longer? Because Depends on the person, right? Yeah, Well, it almost feels like the noise around us is getting louder. Is kind of where I'm going.
Speaker 3:We have more access to information we're looking at like no one very few people would question things around them 30, 40, 50 years ago, right, and if you did, you were labeled this or that or you're crazy for thinking this and like. We have access to information so we can learn more. We have to search for truths, and each person's truth may be different from one another, which which is okay, but then the level of manipulation and bullshit also has increased. And social media what a great freaking example. Like it is mindless, I engage in it and I get stuck on fucking TikTok, looking at the same dumb shit and I'm just like this is fine, right, like the house is burning down around me and I'm not fucking making any progress in my life, but fucking keep scrolling, you know.
Speaker 3:But I do think it's like you do need balance and for me it's number one is if you don't go inward, how can you expect to identify the impact that these external things are having on your inner environment? Because it's just autopilot unless you make a change mentally to be able to tune in to the emotion part of it and the feelings part. Like feelings are energy, it's vibration, it's a state, right, if you can tune into how you're feeling deeply, then you can identify like this is bullshit. This doesn't resonate with me at all. And then, once you're there, what do you do about it? And that's the hard thing is that if you're not a lot like the three of us are very lucky to have each other, to be aligned and have a hobby like this podcast.
Speaker 3:We're growing so rapidly and have a place to talk about it yeah, you can feel so lonely for someone that's trying to make a change, and they feel it, and it's this state of like cognitive dissonance, because they're acting in a way that aligns with their current circles, but they're feeling in a different way.
Speaker 2:And you know what it's like. You were just talking about awareness to that. We have to listen to that, that go inward and really listen to whatever inside is telling us. And you were talking about, you know, doing a new thing, but initially maybe all we really have to do is interrupt that awareness, that negative thought or that doubt or that static. And if we have an interrupter, then we're off the train of spin. And you know my interrupter I do have a thing, guys, and my interrupter during the workday sits next to my desk on the floor and I've got my dumbbells and when I'm like I can't get a straight answer and I can't do this till I have that and no one's answering this, and then I then you know I could take five minutes and do sets of whatever and use the dumbbells, right. So the weekend is something different and I try to get outside, but I've interrupted the stupidness, I'll call it and then brought myself back to center with something physical and some breath work.
Speaker 3:So that works on so many levels and I love that for you and I. I myself will do push-ups or like body squats in my office at work, just something to interrupt it. Right, yeah, and it helps.
Speaker 1:Consider the best exercise, by the way, our squats really look at that. At least in some person's opinion I saw it online.
Speaker 2:Curl that's what and curl that's one of them is I'll squat and curl. Anyway, we've side-railed. So we're listening from within, though, and just being okay to interrupt the bullshit and allow ourselves to come back to whatever we have to do, but know that it's okay, if it's only a five minute thing that you get to, to interrupt the whatever. The troubling thing is because you'll find and create the new path along the road.
Speaker 3:Let me ask you guys a question. I'm sorry, lou, what are your thoughts on escapism, because I think that's been a challenge is, when things get uncomfortable, like the feeling part, it can be really difficult to kind of just go deeper into it for acceptance and try to let it kind of process through versus like I don't like that. Let me just go to this thing. That's not necessarily the treadmill or jujitsu or dumbbells, but something else. It could be a substance, like something that doesn't have a beneficial impact but it's easy, right, like it's harder to do some physical activity if you're not in the habit of it. Then have a drink or something which is okay, too right, but sure balance, like there's levels to it.
Speaker 2:It's weird because I'm thinking of valid responses to that in two different ways though. One escapism maybe you're not really listening inside, so you're escaping the reality instead of embracing awareness, so it's not helping. But on the other hand, escapism could be like that whole idea of stepping back and taking a breath, and you absolutely have to do it sometimes. So I guess you have to know how often are you choosing to escape and is it not helping or is it the right thing in the moment?
Speaker 1:And what you mentioned, kevin, escapism. It seems like the form you're talking about is almost like and maybe not completely, but um, where you don't want to deal with something. So then you turn to alcohol avoidance perfect turn to alcohol, drugs, whatever the case may be, and in my experience I I recall reading something that talked about when I don't know if it's when your beliefs and I don't want to say reality, but just like information you're getting, or what you're processing, what you're seeing, what you're experiencing, even, and what either you're told, or even a prior belief when that alignment gets wider and wider and wider and wider, is when the stress and the anxiety and the need to escape gets greater and greater and greater. It's almost like it's a uh, um correlation, anti-correlation, um, yeah, and it, it, it.
Speaker 1:For me, one way to deal with that is accept that you just don't know. You know what? I don't know the answer, I don't know the truth, I don't know what, you know what? I don't know the answer, I don't know the truth, I don't know what's going on and I may never know, and that's okay. It's just beyond any reach in today's world to get the information that will help me. So there's a bit of acceptance to at least say, well, it is what it is, but I'm not going to let that difference grow even further, to really knock me off my game and get to a point where who knows your OD or something you know in terms of the escapism?
Speaker 3:part. What's really interesting with that, though? You mentioned like not knowing, right, and I'm sure there are people out there that don't know that maybe need to find out what that is. But most clients like I'm sure you guys have worked with, most clients I've worked with they know the things. They bring it forward, right. I've been feeling kind of shitty, but I've been eating fast food. I haven't been bringing my lunch, I haven't been getting as much. It's like they will tell you the things they have identified. So a lot of the time it's just action, right, like figuring out how to fit these, these things, in your life, and we're all advocates for baby steps and slowly integrating changes into our lifestyle so that it's sustainable. But most people know.
Speaker 1:And I wasn't referring to say things in our own lives per se, Like I know exactly what you're referring to. Like we get stuck and we're not sure how to move forward, and oftentimes there's a reason for that, A great example being someone who is overweight and eating too much and wants to lose weight. Well, why do you want to lose weight? It's typically for reasons of I want to be able to run around with my children or my grandchildren rather than I want to fit in skinny clothes and look like the model that I see on TikTok or something like that.
Speaker 1:There's really a deeper meaning there, but I'm thinking about, say, in general, with even larger issues, and oftentimes that's where my brain goes. It's just, ever since I was a kid, it's just always wanting to learn as much as I could and know the truth as much as possible, and I mean about everything, and that's just. I think as a kid, you're naturally a sponge anyway, and some for some things that can just never happen. You know, literally and not for my own meaning because I struggle with something. It's just, I don't know the moon landing or JFK's assassination.
Speaker 1:You with something, it's just, I don't know the moon landing or jfk's fascination, you know, there's just some things that I'm like, damn, it would really be nice to know the truth you know what's interesting.
Speaker 3:Let me ask you this because I would. I would define myself the same way, like you know, always thinking, which most people do be like oh, I'm always thinking, I can't sleep because my brain doesn't shut off right, like we're always, always thinking. We know that every time I search deep for some truth on things, it always leaves more questions. Yeah, like every fucking time. It's like the more knowledge I obtain, the more questions I have and the more I feel like I don't know what the fuck is going on.
Speaker 1:Well, and you know why? Because a lot of what we're finding is static. You know, out there on the web, bam, on the interwebs, on the inter, out there, there's more and more static, and trying to cut through that and get to the signal and that's what I was kind of alluding to earlier where it's getting more and more difficult, it seems, and that's what I was kind of alluding to earlier where it's getting more and more difficult, it seems, because there's more noise, more static, there's more being pushed out there.
Speaker 3:What a great concept and way to pull it back around to the topic. Let me ask you this Whenever you go inward, do you ever find bullshit and static there, like emotions to process whatever right? Sure, but there's never lies going within, like there is always truth to be found internally.
Speaker 2:There's truth to be found internally, but many of us I am culprit tell ourself lies about what we're capable of, what we deserve, how we feel, what would be right. We, we tell ourselves lies all the time within, and we have to shut that voice up too so identifying the liar with saying stop that shit.
Speaker 1:But yeah well, even what you were talking about earlier growing up and what we learn, you know. And what we learn isn't just in school, it's from family, it's from friends, it's from relatives. There's a lot of learning that goes on around us and, of course, a kid. You think it's all true. You don't ever question, especially adults, people in authority, and you know. All this time later we're realizing that you know perhaps not all. Some things that we may have learned in school and in various places either was bullshit, and this is again an area where I grapple. Okay, signal versus static. Was it just not known then? And now they know more and know better because of developments over time, with whatever, and now it was just a bad thing then because we didn't like Pluto. Back then people thought it was a planet, Now they don't. It's just more science.
Speaker 3:These are static thoughts, lou, static thoughts. Same shit happens to me and then I'm like it doesn't fucking matter.
Speaker 1:There you go.
Speaker 3:I'm being a good person. I'm going to focus on trying to be happy.
Speaker 1:So then there's somewhere in the signal and the static is who the fuck cares?
Speaker 3:100%. I try to get to that point.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 3:Yeah, and that's it. We're kind of nearing the end here, lou, you can wrap us up. I just wanted to mention that we do have some awesome guests coming up in August, so we'll be posting those episodes once we record. So we're super excited.
Speaker 1:We hope everybody tunes into those and you know, all I can say is thanks for being here and see you next time, and I'm having a brain freeze.
Speaker 3:Bye for now.
Speaker 1:Oh my goodness, how can I forget? See all that static getting in the way. Bye for now.