It is common to talk about “distractions” these days. I think it was Leo Babauta who first introduced me to the idea. And ever since, I have tried to further the conversation:
- Finding Significance in an Age of Distraction
- Nine Ever-Present Distractions That Keep Us From Fully Living
- Ten Unconventional Habits to Live Distraction-Less
Distractions in life are not unique to our generation—but they are certainly more prevalent today than they’ve ever been.
The Internet, cell phones, television, and the speed at which technology advances and information flows has created an environment where distractions surround us every moment of the day—literally, from the moment we wake up to the moment we shut our eyes at night. It’s important to note this is by design.
I know this to be true because distractions, in my life, are as pervasive as anywhere else.
Distractions, for the sake of this article, refers to anything that keeps our attention and energy from things that matter in the long run. Video games, television shows, trivial information, all come to mind.
But there are other things in life that fit the definition above. Pursuits, that in the right context, are perfectly healthy, but can become distractions. Following the news is healthy, unless it keeps us from more important work. Answering work email is important, but not if it cuts into time we should be spending with our family. Spending time on social media can be a valuable opportunity to connect with friends and loved ones, but not if it consumes too many hours of our day.
This, then, is what I’ve been thinking about lately.
The greatest danger of entertaining distractions, it seems, is the temptation and likelihood of them becoming a lifestyle.
When a distraction becomes a lifestyle, we lose intentionality over the life we are living. (tweet that)
Of course, very few distractions begin as a lifestyle. At first, they are simply fun and unique and interesting. We enjoy the new game, the new television show, the new hobby, or the new website. We like the new phone, the new store, or the new idea that could become the new money-making opportunity in life.
Some things we are drawn to quicker than others. But for the most part, the new shiny object is just a welcome distraction from the hard task of living life.
Slowly, however, the new distraction begins to take more time and more energy from us. We get better at it, or more invested into it, or find increased enjoyment in it. We begin to make slight accommodations to partake in it even more.
Soon, we rationalize why it’s good to do even more of it. We steal a few extra minutes here or there to enjoy it. But the number of hours in the day never change. So eventually, we start to sacrifice the most important things in order to indulge ourselves even more into the distraction. Before we know, it has become a way of life, not a welcome detour from it.
The distraction has now become a lifestyle… and we have lost some sense of intentionality over the life we are living because of it.
Sometimes we recognize this right away and course correct. But other times, years are wasted, relationships are lost, and purpose is slowly, subtly frittered away.
This should be a greater concern to us than we usually consider it to be.
What do we do when this has become the case? How do we respond when distractions have become our masters rather than our servants?
First, we need to be vigilant in self-examination. We ought to frequently sit quietly with ourselves examining the trajectory of our life and the distractions that keep us from being the best version of ourselves.
Second, we need to verbally articulate what distractions are keeping us from our best work, keeping us from those we love the most, or keeping us from fulfilling our highest purpose. As I mentioned before, these distractions may not always be unhealthy on the surface—but if they have spilled into places they do not belong, they may become so.
Third, be vigilant and intentional in removing them. This can be difficult and requires moments of wrestling within ourselves. But learn to fight.
And lastly, it is important to remind ourselves of the value of the most important duties in front of us. Your most important work will never be the easiest—in fact, it will probably be the hardest thing you ever do. Being an intentional parent, loving spouse, faithful employee, good boss, or selfless member of a community is never the easiest road to travel. But in the long run, there is more joy and happiness to be found there than anywhere else.
Distractions don’t get to define you. You get to define you.
Craft a life focused on things that matter by keeping in check everything that doesn’t.
Lindsey says
This definitely resonated with me, particularly after a long weekend without cell service while I was out backpacking and enjoying nature. I really love getting out there and losing myself in the woods (fururatively, mostly!) and I had let distractions really eat into my time during the week, which made me have to cram a ton of chores into the weekend, which meant less time to go out and explore. Since I got back on Monday I’ve pulled up my Bucket List and added some fun outdoor things to it. It’s inspiring me to cut back on those distractions during the week so I can have time for the hikes and picnics I’ve been dreaming about on the weekends.
https://thismisscooks.wordpress.com/2017/06/21/summer-2017-bucket-list-the-minimalist-remix/
Annie says
I suffered from terrible anxiety attacks and had trouble sleeping for some time until I made an effort to spend more time meditating on what was affecting me. I realized that part of my problem was watching too many news programs, reading online, and checking my phone in the hours before bed. I cut all of that out and no longer check any devices within two hours of bedtime and I don’t watch news shows anymore, I only watch up to two hours of non-news TV per week, except for an occasional movie on Netflix. It has made a huge difference. My anxiety has declined and I sleep well most nights. I do have to be mindful of it though, it’s easy to get sucked into watching stuff since my husband still watches each night.
Reiner Knudsen says
Hi Annie,
I stopped watching news programs more than a year ago. Too much bad stuff happening. I felt like I was trying to avoid the truth for some time but I realised that I am protecting myself. I miss, what I miss. It led me to a much happier life and gave me back some control.
In psychology, we call it “input control” and it has become one of my most favourite topics since.
Well done, Annie!
Reiner
Dads Dollars Debts says
I found my cell phone and email to distract me from my family. So I removed it. Now when I come home, the phone goes down on the counter and is rarely picked up, Home life has improved exponentially.
Honestly, blogging and reading blogs is also a distraction. I have to do it on my own time and it was cutting into my family time. Now I am only working on it when my son is asleep.
Sandy says
Technology has evolved so many distraction and it is hindering the path of success for current generation. It has positive and negative aspects both. It is better to know what’s good and what’s bad.
Hannah Tasker says
Hi Joshua, We live in such a fast-paced culture and the number of distractions we have compared to previous generations is astounding really. I think the distractions that are the hardest are the ones that, like you say, see like healthy distractions at first, like hobbies or interests. I struggle with staying focused too, especially when I go to check an email and see all the other notifications on my mobile phone. I enjoyed this perspective, very interesting!
Pes says
I was really enjoying your article about distractions and suddenly Bam! distraction Nr. 1 (with instructions) right before I finish reading: “Get my book Simplify – free!”
That just ruined everything…
Emma - a simple living journey says
ohh….The irony of this post…..Its nearly 9pm, the kids are finally tucked up in bed and I SHOULD be here finishing off my last major theology assignment for the semester, but instead I’m reading your post on distractions…. -_- …..oops.
Off to study I go…..
LaughingLady says
Yeah, I agree. A rather ill-timed pop up ad…
Tony W says
Wow! I never gave distractions much thought. As I was reading the word addiction came to mind.
Living a Minimalist lifestyle has many advantages. One of them is naturally combating destructive distractions. With less clutter in life there is less opportunity for destructive forced to hide.
chlo says
Wow, what a thought provoking post. It’s mind blowing to actually think of all the distractions in life, they all add up don’t they? I feel like I’m not overly distracted by things, I rarely use my phone and I never take it out with me. However, I’ve just started watching Love Island (I know, I know) – It’s only an hour a night BUT in the bigger picture, it’s completely irrelevant to my life and my growing so it’s a full hour wasted of my day.
I can tell that I’m going to be thinking a lot about this today, thank you for sharing.
Chloe @ https://girllgonerogue.blogspot.co.uk/
Sharon says
This is so true, at the start of the month feeling overwhelmed by everything I had to do each day-I gave up social media. I now feel lighter, I hadnt realised how much I had invested in unhealthy relationships and constantly checking my phone.
I now feel lighter, more healthy and Im aware of the world around me-enjoying the moment.
Sharon
Kathy @ SMART Living 365.com says
Hi Joshua! So very true. And exactly why daily meditation is so very important. Leo Babauta is big on Meditation as a way to learn to focus on those things that really matter in our lives. Obviously, there are other ways to do it as well but the important thing is to remember as you say that the temptation to do otherwise exists and then take action to redirect it. Living by design is far more important than living by default. Thanks for the reminder. ~Kathy