Recently I used the term the “Chaos Bubble.” It happened during a conversation in which I was describing how some people whose time is in such high demand actually become immune to the whirlwind of chaos surrounding them. So to properly define this new concept, a Chaos Bubble occurs when the heavy demands of your work and hectic lifestyle create a protective layer to the outside world and insulate you from the chaos.
I’m of course basing this off of several people I have met who have the “luxury” of experiencing this Chaos Bubble phenomenon. These people are in such high demand that their email and voice mail are consistently filled to capacity. Not a single new message can be received. Their phone rings but almost always results in a missed call due to a dead phone battery or because they’re in and out of meetings all day. Their secretaries or personal assistants are the gatekeepers. If you need input or an approval, your best bet is to get the message to their #2 or risk it bouncing off this Chaos Bubble never to be seen, heard or so much as acknowledged.
To reach such a threshold where chaos becomes a protection and no longer a threat, first takes going through many uncomfortable, and at times unbearable, levels of chaos. It’s fairly comparable to being in the eye or a hurricane. Outside of this inner circle a fierce storm of mayhem is constantly brewing, but inside all you experience is an eerie silence and false sense of calm. To get inside this eye, you may spend years being whipped by the winds and swirled around to the point of not knowing which end is up, but once you make it to the inner circle, the chaos spins around you—not within you.
For the most part, chaos is an unwelcome and heavily avoided part of life. But when the dinging and ringing of emails, iPads, cell phones and calendar reminders reach a high enough volume, they have the ability to create a white noise that cancels out their sounds all together—leaving just you and your thoughts inside your own Chaos Bubble.
The Comm Entrepreneur 
Smart post, hopefully others will listen and simplify now!
Really well written!
So that’s where I am – in the chaos bubble! Very interesting post.
This is really interesting. So – from your perspective, is the chaos bubble a good thing? Is it the in between stages that are not so great? Another question I would have is how do people climb out of the bubble if they want to?
Great questions! I haven’t yet decided as to whether I think it’s a good thing or not. I guess it’s not something I would TRY to achieve, but if it were to happen on its own, it would be better than being in the midst of the chaos. As for climbing out? I think there’s one of two ends to the chaos bubble–it slowly loses cushion and you ease back into the chaos, taking more control of your emails and phone calls, etc. Or it one day bursts and all the chaos comes to a grand halt–maybe this would be retirement? 🙂
Over the rainbow? I have stepped away from the bubbles and live in the garden of tranquillity. I was proud when I gave up my mobile. But I haven’t been able to step away from the PC. I work for myself, renovating a house, but still struggle to write as much as I want. Or walk when I need the space. I think I am kicking bubbles about the place, looking for the right one.
Lifes good and I want more. 🙂
Jim
I’m so happy you share in the view that life is indeed good. I want as much of it as I can get! I think once we open our eyes to simple goodness of life around us, the whole world changes.
I’ve been in that bubble most of my adult life!
I really like this concept. I think we all get overwhelmed at times and it’s important to realize it’s an external thing. Dealing with it as ‘white noise’ and maintaining your inner silence/calm is an empowering way to approach these times.