Hey there, Reader!
Have you noticed how often conversations about unplugging, going analogue, or taking a break from our phones are popping up lately? Maybe it’s just the algorithm feeding me back what I’m already wrestling with, but I think a lot of us are feeling it.
I’ve been catching myself feeling more distracted than I’d like, and I realized I needed to get curious about where my attention was going.
I started asking myself two questions:
- What do I want to pay attention to?
- If my attention isn’t directed where I want, what am I actually paying attention to?
The answers were humbling. What I said mattered most and what I was actually doing didn’t quite match. I realized I had a whole set of stories about why I needed to keep checking my phone.
For example, I told myself I needed to keep my phone close in case I missed an important call about my mom’s health. The truth? Missing one call wouldn’t change anything, and we talk every day.
That gap between story and truth showed me how easily my phone was consuming me rather than connecting me. I knew something had to shift.
So I’ve been experimenting: removing apps from my phone, separating it from my workspace, and building in scheduled check-in times. I'm even considering no-phone days (inspired by Elizabeth Gilbert who practices No-Phone Thursdays). The more I reduce the reflex, the more connected I feel to myself, my creativity, my surroundings, and the people I love.
That’s what this week’s podcast episode is about. I’m sharing a reading of my Substack essay Consumed or Connected? It’s an honest look at how technology shapes our attention and energy, and what I’m trying in my own life to bring things back into alignment.
👉 Listen to Episode 109: Consumed or Connected?
If you’ve ever felt consumed by your phone instead of connected through it, I think you’ll see yourself in this one.
I’m curious, how’s your relationship with your phone and with technology as a whole? Are you doing anything to manage your screen time? What’s working (or not working) for you? Hit reply, and let me know!
With love,
Adrienne
✍️
Journal Prompt
|
|
Take a few minutes to journal on the questions that sparked this exploration:
What do I want to pay attention to?
If my attention isn’t directed where I want, what am I actually paying attention to?
|
🤖
CHATGPT PROMPT
|
|
Copy & paste into ChatGPT or your fave AI tool. The more context you provide about yourself and your situation, the more robust results you’ll receive.
“Act as a Digital Wellness Guide. I want to explore my relationship with my phone and devices. Right now, I notice that I [describe your current habits]. I want to pay more attention to [insert values: relationships, creativity, rest, etc], but my actions don’t always align. Help me uncover where my attention is being consumed instead of consciously chosen. Guide me through 3 reflective questions that reveal what’s underneath my habits, and suggest one small but meaningful change I can try this week to feel more connected and less consumed.”
|
Ready for what’s next?
