Interference Window

Most stress isn’t caused by situations themselves.

It’s caused by the internal argument we have about how things should be, especially when something matters.

Stress increases when thoughts and personal identity are given too much authority.

As that authority softens and resistance drops, interference eases and clarity often returns.

The Interference Window is a simple way of seeing how thoughts and personal identity can get in the way of clarity, and how this model helps it naturally clear.

It exists to help us notice when our identity has gained too much authority, and when resistance to what’s happening is increasing that interference.

Here, “authority” simply means how much importance or control we give to a thought, and “personal identity” is the sense that “this says something about me”.

This isn’t about fixing yourself. It’s about removing interference so you can engage more cleanly with what’s already here.

This site isn’t designed to teach everything, just enough to use.

 
 

The Core Idea

When situations feel personal or pressured, two things tend to happen:

Identity gains authority
This says something about me.

Resistance appears
“This shouldn’t be happening.”

Together, they create interference in the form of mental noise, urgency, self-judgement, and reactivity.

As identity loosens and resistance drops, interference reduces.

When interference reduces, clarity tends to return and stress often falls away.

Nothing needs to be forced.

 
 

The Interference Window

The Window describes states, not traits. We move through them all at some point.

  • Suffering
    High interference from thoughts. Things feel personal and overwhelming.

  • Struggling
    Some awareness of thoughts and resistance, but effort and friction are high.

  • Engaging
    Interference has reduced. You’re aware of thoughts, but they’re not in control. Stress starts falling away.

  • Flowing
    Minimal interference. Action feels natural and unforced.

    The aim is just to notice what’s happening.

The Interference Window is a simple model showing how stress increases when internal interference is high and clarity returns as interference drops.

How it works

The Interference Window shows how experience shifts as noticing and internal interference change.

As interference increases, stress tends to rise and things feel more personal.

As noticing increases and interference drops, clarity and engagement often return.

Where you are in the Window reflects what’s happening right now.

What reduces interference

Interference drops when:

  • identity and thoughts have less authority

  • there is more openness to what’s actually happening

Openness doesn’t mean liking, agreeing, or giving up.
It simply means stopping the internal fight.

When that fight eases, clarity tends to return on its own.

How to use the model

You don’t need to practice anything.

When something feels personal or pressured, you can ask:

  • Where am I in the Window right now?

  • What’s adding interference: identity, resistance, or urgency?

Often, noticing this is enough to shift how much authority it has.

This is especially useful when:

  • the situation matters

  • you can’t step away

  • effort is high but clarity is low

What this is (and isn’t)

This is:

  • a way of seeing what’s happening

  • a reference you can return to

  • something you can test in real life

This isn’t:

  • therapy

  • mindset work

  • positive thinking

  • a promise of calm

  • a programme to complete

If this is useful, take it with you.
If it’s not, leave it here.

Using it with support (optional)

Some people find it helpful to talk this through in real situations.

For a small number of people, I offer Clarity Sessions. These are quiet, practical conversations using the Interference Window to reduce noise and restore perspective.

There’s no commitment and no expectation to continue.

A final note

This won’t resonate with everyone. It’s not meant to.

It’s here to be available when things feel personal.