Digital Detox: Will You Join Me?

There is something I have been learning, both as a social worker and as a man of faith.

My attention is not neutral. It is being shaped, pulled, and, if I am being honest, taken.

During my MSW at York University, I took a course with Dr. Renita Wong called Mindfulness and Just Relations. One of the practices that stayed with me the most was the digital detox. I came to understand it as a way of reclaiming my attention, my body, and my spirit.

If I am honest, I have often used social media and constant noise to avoid stillness and to move away from difficult thoughts.

I know I am not alone in this.

For the next week, I am committing to a digital detox.

For seven days, I will intentionally step back from social media. During this same week, I will avoid secular music and listen only to Gospel music.

This is a focused and intentional commitment.

It is a week to reset my attention. It is a week to become more present.

It is a week to draw closer to God.

From a psychological perspective, constant digital stimulation keeps the mind in cycles of distraction. It can lead to comparison, anxiety, and a focus on what is next rather than what is present. In my own experience, I have seen how easily my attention is captured, leaving me less grounded and more fatigued. And let's face it, our attention is something that capitalism has its eye on - ready to sell us something or someone at all times.

Mindfulness offers another way. It calls us back home, to the present moment. It invites awareness without judgment and helps us reclaim our attention.

Scripture speaks to this renewal:

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”Romans 12:2

If you are seeking a new beginning and you need therapy, guidance, and life coaching, speak to me today about starting a New Chapter in your life!

Kevin