Earlier today, I shared a thought-provoking video on the issue of distractions in our society. The constant interruptions people face have detrimental impacts on their work, driving, and relationships. This raises the pressing question: How can we effectively tune out distractions and cultivate deeper connections with God and others? For instance, in the video below, I talk about the coffee shop employee who forgot to make our drink because he got distracted on his phone. I also had a person drive head-on towards me while he was looking down at his phone, only looking up in enough time to swerve back into his lane. In this article, I will delve into this topic and provide practical suggestions for minimizing distractions.

Issues with the Rise of Social Media

The rise of social media has greatly influenced communication and how we allocate time and attention. While it allows us to connect with others and find like-minded communities, it can also negatively impact our thoughts and behavior, leading to addictive behaviors.

In the past, platforms like MySpace enabled me to reconnect with old friends and keep up with the latest music. Online communities also provided comfort, especially as a young mom. However, the process of going online was time-consuming, requiring slow dial-up connections and specific websites. It gradually became part of my routine.

Then, Facebook emerged. Initially, I resisted joining, but many friends started using smartphones. Stuck with a flip phone, I struggled to reply to text messages efficiently. I remember one incident when a friend stood in front of me, half-engaged in conversation while glancing at her smartphone. It felt strange back then, but it became more common. Eventually, I decided to join Facebook.

As I resumed work, I took on managing social media for my employer. Alongside Facebook, I incorporated Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. However, I soon felt overwhelmed by the multitude of platforms and the time spent online. A few years ago, I made the decision to deactivate all accounts except for Facebook. It played an indispensable role in event planning, coordinating with my homeschool co-op, staying connected with friends and family, and sharing photos. To maintain balance, I implemented time limits for Facebook usage.

Recently, I started Vintage Virtues as a blog site. I began developing its presence on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Each platform has unique requirements for word limits, picture sizes, and video capabilities. The blog specifically requires the ability to embed YouTube videos, but integration is not seamless. Each site is designed to engage users, encouraging endless scrolling for hours. Notably, YouTube favors 30 and 60-second shorts, and videos that leave viewers craving more content gain traction. This ultimately decreases their attention spans over time.

Studies indicate that distractions have negative effects on work productivity, driving safety, and relationship fulfillment. Research shows that reducing social media usage leads to increased focus, improved mental health, and stronger connections with others. For example, a study conducted by the University of Copenhagen found that individuals who reduced their Facebook usage reported higher levels of life satisfaction and increased social interaction. Another study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology demonstrated that multitasking and constant interruptions have a significant negative impact on cognitive performance.

Combating the Issues

By minimizing distractions and reducing social media usage, we can enhance our ability to fully engage in activities, deepen our connections with God and others, and experience greater overall well-being.

So here is my call-to-action: Review your social media usage. Reduce the number of accounts you follow, set time limits for yourself, and carefully curate the pages and accounts you follow. Remove any sources of distraction, as well as those that may lead your mind astray. I’m challenging myself as well.

How do we practically do that?

Think of your top 3 priorities and top 3 interests or hobbies. Start there.

Here’s what my list looks like:

• Faith in God
• Family
• Community
• Homeschooling
• Homesteading
• Homemaking

From just those six items, a lot of sub-categories flow! So, prioritize your time and attention on these areas. Eliminate anything that deviates from those priorities and hobbies.

Further, consider using productivity apps or, if you have an iPhone, use the features that allow time limits and scheduled downtime. Turn off social media notifications. Perhaps set aside scheduled time for online activities. Maybe you need to clean up your friends’ lists or, at least, hide their content from your feed if it causes you to stumble. May I encourage you to do one big thing – the best thing you can do! Create a routine that allows you to seek God each day through His word and prayer. Make this the daily habit!

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” Hebrews 12:1

At Vintage Virtues, our aim is to provide valuable and thought-provoking content that aligns with traditional Christian values. We prioritize inspiring our readers to reflect on the teachings of Philippians 4:8, focusing on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, or praiseworthy. Our topics cover homemaking, homesteading, and homeschooling, all with the goal of providing content that resonates with our readers and encourages them to embrace a wholesome and virtuous lifestyle.