While reading the beginning chapters of Stolen Focus by Johann Hari, a quote stuck out to me. Hari wrote when discussing the motto for this constantly distracted generation that it could be surmised to “I tried to live, but I got distracted”(Hari, Pg.8). This quote struck me so deep when talking about this current generation to the point I literally wrote in my copy of the book “crazy..”. 

The premise of the book is how Hari went about researching the issue of attention and loss of focus in today’s digital age. Hari began this journey by personally removing himself from all forms of the internet. Even in the first few chapters of the book you can see the effects this had on his research from his personal antidotes on the changes from his thoughts to choices he makes in everyday life. Hari’s digital detox was inspiring to me to reflect on my own digital detoxes. While Hari points out his own privilege to be able to remove himself from the “wired” world, I have found similarities in my shorter digital detoxes. 

In complete honesty, much like Hari, I started these detoxes after being frustrated with how attached I had become to my own digital world. I typically try to go every once and while going a day without using social media or really being on my phone. I also notice I do this during times where the digital world I am in becomes too much and over stimulating with messages and content. And it typically comes with a cycle of the same emotions. First I am anxious and feeling like I am missing out on the world (ironic huh?), then I am able to drop into a present space and begin to focus on my external world and go about my day with the urge to check my phone or instagram few and fleeting during the day,then by the time night rolls around i wonder what i was so anxious about to begin with. 

Hari’s personal experience with his digital detox makes me want to reflect further on my own experience with digital spaces and distractions. While i may not be able to cut myself off completely from the world the same way he did, i can certainly reflect on my habits and bring them back to the drawing board to reevaluate healthy ways to function in this distracted generation and not let life pass me by while i am looking down at my phone.

Sources:

Hari, Johann. Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention–and How to Think Deeply Again. Crown, 2022.