The Attention Reclamation Project
A 109 day experiment to break free from constant media consumption
“You’ve always got something going in your ear,” my partner said. “It stops me from talking to you, and I just wonder if you ever get downtime in your brain.” He glanced at me, unsure of my reaction.
Valid. Because my insides were filling up with defensive warriors getting ready to tell him why I need the distraction as an off-switch for my brain, that I’m always learning something through the podcasts and audiobooks I’m listening to, and that he has some things he could think about changing too. (You know how it is in these human bodies and brains, ha.)
But the conversation planted a seed. My brain tumbled the idea around like a dryer for the next few days: Would I be happier if I surrendered my AirPods, reality TV shows, and podcasts?
The truth is, I’ve been grappling with media consumption since my childhood when TV helped me survive years of crisis in my family. Since then, I’ve turned to it faithfully anytime life feels like too much. However, in the advent of booming tech, it’s become even more pervasive in my life: infinite amounts of podcasts, television shows, youtube, audiobooks, phone games, and social media, all delivered to a handheld device that’s more like an appendage than a tool, and Bluetooth headphones that make constant consumption hard for me to avoid.
So, I made a decision. I would spend three months consuming no solo tv, youtube, or video-based social media. I would allow myself one hour each day of podcasts or audiobooks if I wanted. I could watch movies, tv, or youtube with others as a social event. I could use social media on my laptop, but only for a defined reason or task. And, I’d collect data along the way to document how my mood, energy, creativity, productivity, relationships, and habits were impacted.
Once I’d decided, it felt ridiculous to wait 18 more days to begin, so I changed my start date and the experiment became 109 days instead of three months. (Coincidentally—or not?—I learned later that the timing fell right at the full moon and lunar eclipse.)
I announced my intentions to my family, handed my partner my AirPods, deleted all tempting apps off my phone, and made a list of alternative actions when urges came up.
Dread filled me like hot concrete as I anticipated giving up my constant companion. But, underneath the discomfort, I knew it was time to break free.
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