Connection Cafe Reflections: Are we reaching digital saturation?

“We do have the tools to take control, but we’re not trained. We have to learn to be intentional.”

During our pilot programme, some participants reported having to navigate more than 30 communication channels at work. Expectations around response times and urgency varied wildly, leading to frustration and bottlenecks.

Research by Loom suggests that 31% of people struggle to get their work done because of constant interruptions; 85% reported sending the same message multiple times in multiple places before receiving a response.

And with the lines between personal and professional communication continuing to blur and flexible working giving rise to wildly different working schedules, is it any wonder we feel distracted, fragmented and scattered?

At our recent Connection Café, we explored the sense of digital overwhelm many of us experience, and shared some strategies for regaining control. Here’s a round up of our key reflections.

Boundaries? What Boundaries?

We quickly established just how pervasive work communications have become, sharing stories of responding to messages in cinemas, during family time, and yes, even whilst dancing the night away. The traditional boundaries that once contained work communication have dissolved, leaving many feeling constantly “on call.”

This blurring extends beyond time to the tools themselves:

  • Work conversations spilling into personal platforms like WhatsApp
  • Multiple project groups across various platforms
  • The same message arriving via multiple channels
  • No clear expectations about response times

As one participant put it: “There used to be more of a delineation between work tools and social tools. [Now] it’s just a constant barrage.”

The Mental Cost

The impact is more than an inconvenience. Participants described feeling distracted even during dedicated family time:

“Just before school pick up, what I should be doing as a good parent is thinking ‘how’s my daughter’s day been?’ and getting my head ready for spending time with someone who’s important to me. But instead, in those fifteen minutes I get my phone out and it takes my head away from the person I’m with.”

This constant digital presence creates a cognitive burden that follows us everywhere:

  • Finding yourself mentally processing work issues during personal time
  • The anxiety of not knowing where an important message might be
  • The challenge of context-switching between platforms
  • The feeling of being perpetually behind

“I feel overwhelmed now. I used to feel more in control”.

Reclaiming Control

Despite these challenges, our participants shared thoughtful strategies for managing digital overwhelm:

Set Clear Boundaries: “I have two phones… for anything that is work-related, they get the other phone, which I keep on my browser. So I only see it when I have my laptop open, and I reply when I can.”

Communicate Your Triggers: Understanding each other’s preferences is important but it can be difficult to accommodate everyone. Instead, focus on the triggers that cause significant stress. “Once people know it, if they care and if they can remember, they will avoid it.”

Use Email Signatures to set expectations: Be clear about when you read and respond to emails and communicate what you expect so people don’t feel pressured. If you do need a response within a certain time, don’t leave it to chance – try leading with your request so everyone is clear.

Create Focus Time: One participant uses the Pomodoro technique, setting a timer for 25 minutes of deep work, and then taking a five-minute break. “When I put [the Pomodoro timer] on, I’m laser-focused,” they explained. “It’s a promise I make to myself.”

Action your thoughts immediately: “I’m an obsessive list maker… if something occurs to you, either action it or write it onto a to-do list within 20 seconds.”

Finding Joy in the Digital Noise

Interestingly, one participant described reclaiming LinkedIn by transforming how she uses it:

“I’ve started this thing where…I’ll just say something daft and random. We’ve started sharing the most boring, mundane things that we’re doing, and I love it. It’s actually made LinkedIn a little bit fun again.”

This creative approach reminds us that our relationship with digital tools doesn’t have to be entirely on their terms – we can shape these interactions to better serve our wellbeing.

The Path Forward

The challenge of digital overwhelm isn’t going away, but our conversation revealed that small, intentional changes can make a significant difference:

  • Be clear about your boundaries and triggers
  • Create physical separation where possible (separate devices, browser-only access)
  • Use visual reminders to stay focused
  • Find ways to make digital interactions more authentic and enjoyable

As workplaces continue to evolve, establishing and communicating clear norms around digital communications becomes increasingly important. Rather than accepting the constant barrage as inevitable, we can collectively create healthier ways of working.

Photo by Venti Views on Unsplash