Understanding Attention

Find a therapist to help with ADHD

Smartphones themselves aren't the problem, but our relationship with them can be problematic.

Train your attention. Practice noticing things without capturing them.

When you feel restless, keep your phone in the drawer and ask yourself: What do I feel drawn to today?

I've given this summer a nickname: The Summer Experiment. It's not about disappearing into a silent retreat, renouncing modern technology, or embracing the latest wellness trend. Instead, it's simply an experiment in limiting my time on screens so I can become more intentional about where my attention goes each day.

A few weeks ago, I realised I was spending more time online than I wanted to. I would pick up my phone to do one thing, and twenty minutes later, I was left wondering where the time had gone. A quick message check easily became a tour through social media, email, and whatever else the internet threw my way.

At the same time, I had noticed some new patterns. My eyes often felt tired. My attention felt fragmented. Moments that had once held a pause, like waiting, boredom, or daydreaming, were increasingly filled with scrolling. On top of it all, I felt as though I was constantly being pulled in different directions.

The truth is, none of this felt catastrophic. I wasn't unhappy or anxious, and I wasn't planning to renounce technology. But I did begin to notice a quiet unease about how easily my attention was being captured.

I'm interested in attention because it shapes experience. What we notice becomes our reality. What we focus on tends to grow. Attention influences our relationships, creativity, and overall sense of well-being. In many ways, the quality of our lives reflects........

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