We live in a world that is constantly vying for our attention. Even now, as you take the time to read this article, a decision has been made that the next couple minutes in your life will be invested in learning something that might be helpful. If not, you just wasted it, or did you?
We get that online and offline marketers are clamoring for real estate in our brain. But so are our colleagues, friends, and family. According to a survey conducted by Gallup in 2019, American adults send and receive an average of 94 text messages per day. Ok, that’s crazy. And what about all the other social media platforms we check in on every other minute?
Americans spend an average of 4 hours and 37 minutes per day looking at their phones. This figure does not include time spent using computers, tablets, or watching television. In 2023, the average American spent slightly over three hours watching TV per day.
How is any work getting done?
The noise that surrounds us is deafening. Some of it we engage in as an elective but much of it is foisted upon us through our mere existence on this planet. I remember when you had to dial a phone with a short cord on it to talk to someone not in your own household, but had to look up their number in a rolodex first. I also remember when TV was in black and white with only 3 channels to choose from and the only computer on the planet was in NASA’s headquarters.
Silencing the deafening noise of modern life requires a deliberate effort to reduce sensory overload and create a quieter, more peaceful environment. Here are several practical ways to achieve this:
- Limit Screen Time: Reduce the time spent on electronic devices, including television, smartphones, and computers, which are common sources of noise and mental clutter.
- Nature Retreats: Spend time in nature, such as parks, forests, or beaches, where natural sounds can provide a soothing backdrop, away from urban noise.
- Mindfulness and Meditation: Engage in practices like meditation, deep breathing, getting in God’s Word, which can help center your thoughts and reduce the perception of noise.
- Selective Listening: Choose what you listen to carefully. Opt for soothing music or sounds of nature instead of the constant barrage of news and social media. Listen to a digital book or the Bible on an app rather than scrolling endlessly through Reels, Shorts, or Tik-Tok videos.
- Digital Detox: Periodically disconnect from digital devices and social media to avoid information overload, which can contribute to stress and a sense of chaos. Maybe all day on Sunday.
- Structured Daily Routine: Having a routine can reduce chaos and provide a sense of calm. Include quiet time or “sound breaks” as part of your daily schedule.
By implementing these strategies, you can create a more tranquil environment that shields you from the constant, deafening noise of modern life.
And that’s the mid-week memo.
Steve
