Taking back my attention

I recently discovered that if I leave my iphone out where I can see it, it distracts me. It pulls my attention. It’s not ringing. No text has shown up. But a part of me is drawn to its presence. So I put it away in a drawer where I can’t see it. Once I do that, everything gets quieter.

The same goes if I leave my laptop computer open and out when I’m not using it. If the screen is visible, or if it’s near me where I can see it, and I’m not using it, I feel the same draw as I do with my phone. So I close the laptop and I put it away.

I do these things because I don’t want my phone and computer to have primary importance in my life. When I use them, I use them. They have their value at times. And when they aren’t needed, I put them away

I do this because these products, and similar ones, are built to distract, they are designed to make us want to use and be involved with them. They were created and marketed to make us think they are an extension of ourselves.

It takes an effort to protect our attention. It’s worth it though. Where our attention goes determines our state of mind. If I give the majority of my attention over to the devices, I feel scattered, and amped up, and unsatisfied. When I take care of myself regarding the devices, I feel a sense of peace.