Time Thieves: Protecting Your Mental Space in a Demanding World | Ep. 309

Have you ever received an invitation that immediately transported you back to a time and place you'd rather not revisit? That's exactly what happened when Justin Alan Hayes, founder of Voices for VoicesⓇ, received notice of his 25-year high school reunion.
In this deeply personal episode, Justin takes us on a journey through time, contrasting life in the year 2000 with our current reality. He reflects on a world before iPhones and Facebook dominated our attention, when screen time occupied a much smaller percentage of our daily lives. But beyond the technological evolution, Justin bravely shares how receiving his reunion invitation triggered involuntary mental flashbacks to difficult high school experiences—his grandfather's passing, struggles with self-confidence, and early substance use that shaped his relationship with social situations.
The heart of this conversation centers on recognizing when your mind reaches capacity. Justin describes recent panic attacks at group events that mirrored symptoms from his 2017 mental health crash, signaling his mind needed space to reset. He introduces the powerful concept of "time stealers"—people who appear interested in your life but ultimately drain your energy without contributing positively to your wellbeing. These insights prompt us to examine our own lives, identifying what might be stealing our time and mental bandwidth, and granting ourselves permission to set necessary boundaries. When depression deepens, sometimes returning to basics—food, water, shelter, security—provides the foundation needed for healing.
Whether you're navigating social obligations, processing past experiences, or simply feeling overwhelmed, this episode offers validation and practical wisdom. Listen now, and remember that protecting your mental health isn't selfish—it's essential for showing up as your best self in the spaces and relationships that truly matter.

Chapter Markers

0:00 Welcome to Voices for VoicesⓇ

2:11 Reflecting on Year 2000

4:24 Why I Skipped My Reunion

12:57 Recent Panic Attacks

19:32 Dealing With Time Stealers

27:03 Setting Healthy Boundaries

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