Let’s talk about something that’s been on my mind—our modern digital lives and how they’re affecting our connection to nature. We’re living in a world where smartphones have become almost like an extra limb, and social media algorithms constantly vie for our attention. It’s easy to lose track of time scrolling through feeds and clicking on content that’s pushed our way.
Why Rewild your attention?
But here’s the thing—I’ve been feeling that this constant digital buzz is pulling us away from the beauty of the natural world. Our screens, the blue lights, and the streetlights—they all disconnect us from nature and mess with our sleep and natural rhythms.
Recently I read an amazing book by Nir Eyal call Indistractable (highly recommend reading) – And it got me thinking about rewilding our attention in this digital age.
We all know our attention spans have taken a hit because of our digital habits. How many times have you mindlessly picked up your phone and suddenly 20 minutes have vanished into thin air? I am guilty as charged! But as Nir Eyal says in his book – it’s not that we should ditch our phones entirely, but what if we spent a little less time glued to our screens and more time truly noticing the world around us?
The idea is to be intentional with what we do, especially online. We’re all into technology, but being intentional means we can choose not to be constantly driven by the stuff big-tech algorithms throw at us.
Next time you find yourself in a scroll-hole, ask yourself these questions:
- Does this content resonate with who I am?
- Does it make me feel good about myself?
- Am I genuinely interested in what I’m seeing?
- Did I choose this content, or was it pushed to me?
- Can I find peace away from the screen?
- What truly interests me, and where can I find that?
- Can I find inspiring information and imagery offline?
Think of alternatives that might benefit you more:
- Could reading a book before bed help me sleep better?
- Could a walk be more refreshing for my thoughts than what I’m currently doing?
- Am I using technology to distract from my thoughts? Maybe meditation can help.
Spending time with ourselves is a beautiful way to rewild. It nurtures our imagination, attention, and emotional intelligence. Just being present in the natural world, even if it’s just looking out the window during a journey, is a rebellion against the tech culture. It brings us closer to who we truly are and helps us connect with the abundance of life around us.
So, let’s give it a try—let’s rewild our attention and find that balance between the digital world and the beauty of the real world. It’s about making conscious choices and appreciating the simple joys that life, and nature, have to offer. 🌿✨ #RewildYourAttention #DigitalBalance