Swipe Right for Reality

Deep work bubble

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

"Mommy, why can't I make the puppy bigger?" My friend’s five-year-old was jabbing at a dog food ad in a magazine with increasing frustration. "It's not working!"

I watched, bemused, as he attempted to "pinch and zoom" the glossy page, his brow furrowed in concentration. Then it hit me: he was trying to swipe right. On a magazine.

We've all been there, right?

Kids glued to screens, their attention spans flickering faster than a TikTok trend. The constant barrage of notifications, the endless scroll, the dopamine hits of likes and shares – it's a digital symphony of distraction, and our kids are conducting it with the enthusiasm of a caffeinated orchestra.

But here's the thing: this isn't just a harmless quirk of the modern age. This is a full-blown assault on our brains, especially those still under construction.

Our kids' minds are being molded in the fires of the attention economy, a relentless system designed to capture and monetize our focus.

Consider each notification, ping, and auto-playing video as a tiny thief, robbing you of valuable attention moments. And those seconds add up.

They add up to fragmented focus, impaired learning, and a diminished capacity for deep thought. They add up to a generation growing up with the attention span of a goldfish on Red Bull.

But there is hope! It's called deep work, and it's not just about getting more done (though it definitely helps with that).

It's about reclaiming our focus, cultivating our inner lives, and forging genuine connections in a world that's constantly trying to pull us apart.

So, put down your phone (after you finish this, of course), grab a cup of coffee, and get ready to dive deep.

Your brain will thank you. Your kids will thank you. And who knows, you may even find yourself with sufficient concentration to read a magazine without attempting to swipe right on a golden retriever.

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Activity: The Distraction Detective

Objective: To visually represent the many distractions that compete for our attention in daily life.

Materials:

• Paper

• Colored pencils, crayons, or markers

Instructions:

1. The Scene: Have your child draw a picture of themselves engaged in an activity that requires focus (e.g., reading a book, doing homework, playing a game, having a conversation).

2. The Distractors: Now, ask them to think about all the things that might distract them from that activity. These could be external distractions (like a phone buzzing, a sibling yelling, a TV blaring) or internal distractions (like daydreaming, feeling hungry, or worrying about something).

3. Visualize the Chaos: Have them draw these distractions around the central figure in their picture. Encourage them to get creative with how they represent these distractions! Are they little monsters trying to grab their attention? Are they flashing lights and noisy symbols? The more visual and imaginative, the better.

4. Deep Work Bubble: Finally, have them draw a "deep work bubble" around their central figure. This could be a force field, a clear dome, or anything that represents a barrier against distractions. Ask them to think about what helps them create that bubble in real life (e.g., turning off their phone, finding a quiet space, taking deep breaths).

Discussion:

• After the drawing is complete, discuss the different distractions they identified. Which ones are the most powerful? How do those distractions make them feel?

• Talk about the "deep work bubble" and how it helps to block out distractions. Brainstorm strategies for creating that bubble in their everyday lives.

• This activity can be adapted for adults too! Have everyone in the family create their own "Distraction Detective" drawing and compare your experiences.

Why this works:

This activity helps children (and adults!) to visualize the invisible forces competing for their attention. By giving these distractions concrete form, they become easier to understand and manage. The act of drawing also engages a different part of the brain, encouraging creative thinking and problem-solving. And most importantly, it opens up a conversation about the importance of focus and the strategies we can use to cultivate it in a world of distractions.

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References: Newport, C. (2016). “Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World.”

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