bringing intention to your attention
In the field of digital wellness a concept I have always come back to is that of the attention economy. This concept reminds us that our attention is a valuable and scarce resource, and where we place it matters. There are only so many hours in a day and so many things in a 24-hour period we can focus our attention on. This becomes that much more complicated living in an age where newsfeeds run on a 24/7 model and information is just a click away. Because companies profit from our attention, they try to capture it as much as possible. Push notifications, autoplay, endless scroll feed, clickbait, and curated algorithms fragment our attention throughout the day. What’s ironic is that the original focus of social media was connection and collaboration, which has a primitive foundation (we are hardwired for connection and belonging). Once companies realized they could capitalize on our attention and make more money by keeping us online as much as possible, they quickly pivoted from a social networking and connection model to one of consuming content as much, and as long, as possible. What does this require? Attention.
In light of this, one question that is often posed is, “Does this mean that all digital distractions are bad?” The answer to this lies in the reality that distractions, like many things, exist on a continuum and not a binary. The importance in distinguishing between “good” and “bad” distractions lies in whether you are aligning your INTENTION with your ATTENTION. The first step here is reflecting on whether the distraction itself is lending itself to progress, personal growth or development, increasing human connection, helping you achieve flow, supporting pain management, or allowing you to still engage in deep work mode. Since our brains crave distraction, it is up to us to leave space so our mind can ‘riff’, be creative, reflect, recharge, mind wander, and be bored (a space where we, so often, generate our best ideas!) instead of doing what we usually do when we have a few minutes or even seconds on our hands: check our phones.
In an age where (digital) distractions are all around us, protecting our attention becomes a necessity.
So, today, this weekend, or maybe next week, can you engage in intentional mind wandering, or what Chris Bailey refers to as “scatterfocus”: allowing your mind the space and freedom to roam without any point of focus? How can you better manage distractions (internal and external)? Can you create a “focus ritual” (turning off notifications, setting a timer…)? And how might you bring INTENTION to your ATTENTION?
~Kate
The information provided by Rooted in Wellness Canada is solely for educational and informational purposes and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. If you are struggling, you are advised to consult with your physician or other medical professionals.
