When I talk with people in their 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s, they say they have full plates. It’s common to hear, “There’s not enough time in the day,” and “What? I totally forgot to do …”
There’s just so much going on around us—so many distractions competing for our attention—that it’s hard to stay focused.
Despite having fewer responsibilities and commitments than I once did, I’m not immune to feeling scattered or distracted. I’ve noticed that if I don’t make a conscious effort to self-regulate, to choose what to focus on, I end up asking, “What?” because I was distracted by my phone, my thoughts, my … you name it.”
Why Our Attention Spans Are Shrinking
It turns out I’m not alone. According to the American Psychological Association, our attention spans are indeed shrinking, and it’s not just because of aging or forgetfulness.
The digital age has transformed the way we process information. We’re bombarded with stimuli—notifications, social media updates, endless content—that our brains have adapted by becoming more adept at shifting focus quickly. While this can be helpful in some situations, it also means we struggle with sustained attention.
Why It Matters
This trend isn’t just an inconvenience; it has implications for our well-being and relationships. When we lose the ability to focus, we miss out on deep conversations, creative thinking, and even our own thoughts. It’s all too easy to tune out during a conversation or skim through an article without truly absorbing the information. Over time, this can affect our ability to connect with others and with ourselves.
What We Can Do About It
The key is to own of our attention. Try limiting screen time and setting boundaries for when and where you use your devices – especially around family, coworkers and friends.
Mindfulness practices, like meditation or simply taking a few deep breaths, can also help train your brain to stay present. And when you’re in a conversation, make it a point to listen actively, putting away distractions and focusing fully on the other person – this is something I’m better at with work and friends than with family, and that’s not uncommon.
Our attention is one of the most valuable resources we have, and it’s worth protecting. The next time you find yourself feeling scattered or distracted, take a moment to pause and refocus. Being mindful helps direct our attention, so we can reclaim our ability to connect, create, and truly engage with the world around us.
Two Links Du Jour:
Why Our Attention Spans are Shrinking – American Psychological Association – https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/attention-spans
10 Reasons Why People Tune You Out – Boost Your Communications Influence and Be Heard – Inc. Magazine
Photo credit: My youngest son captured this photo on a nature walk with a friend. To me, it highlights the importance of finding serenity amid rapidly flowing thoughts and perceived barriers (i.e., you can’t stop the water, but you can pause in the center of it all and let it pass by, and the fallen trees don’t have to be roadblocks per se.)
Two Minutes Du Jour 
One response to “Attention, Please! Why Our Focus Is Fading and How to Get It Back”
[…] and search for snippets of information rather than dig deeply into stories or topics; no wonder our attention spans are stretched thin. We Google for quick answers, scroll through headlines, and maybe even scan a […]
LikeLike