Are You Escaping Stillness?

I remember, as a teenager, spending hours alone in my room—reading, journaling, or simply staring at the ceiling, lost in daydreams.

Only thirty years ago, life was very, very different. We all had more time with our own thoughts, free from constant interruptions.

Today, that kind of stillness is rare; it doesn't matter if you are an adult, teenager, or?kid.

We have less and less time just to sit and think.?

We say that with technology,?distractions follow us everywhere—an?endless ?demand for our?attention, from?our phones and?emails?to social media and world news.

But what if "technology" is not the only one to blame?when it comes to?distractions?

Not All Distractions Come from the Outside—The Sneaky Ones Come from Within

What if one reason we are so addicted to distractions is that we’ve meanwhile also lost our tolerance for being alone with ourselves?

When we pause, unresolved emotions, worries, or insecurities can rise to the surface.

Sitting in silence with our own thoughts can feel uncomfortable, even painful.

Instead of facing them, we instinctively seek the already-available escape—reaching for our phones, switching tasks, or finding something to occupy our minds.

In this way, distractions become a way to numb discomfort, offering quick relief from what feels unsettling.

The Vicious Cycle of Distraction

From nature, we are programmed to seek pleasure and avoid pain. Distractions often serve one of these two purposes—either they provide a small hit of pleasure, like checking social media, or they help us escape discomfort, like avoiding a difficult task.

Over time, this creates a habit: whenever something feels boring, frustrating, or even slightly challenging, we turn to distractions without even realizing it.

Studies show that the brain releases dopamine—a pleasure chemical—when we check our phones, scroll social media, or switch tasks. Over time, our brains crave this constant stimulation. The more distracted we are, the harder it becomes to focus deeply.

This is a problem because often, the things that truly matter—solving complex problems, creating something valuable, mastering a skill—require deep, uninterrupted work.

Deep work can only happen when working without distractions, and often, in practice, most likely, it will happen while working alone.

How to Break The Cycle?

The next time you find yourself distracted, try pausing when you regain focus.

Ask yourself:

What exactly happened in the moments before I got distracted?

What was I feeling?

What was happening in my inner and outer world?

This simple awareness can help you recognize patterns and take control of your attention instead of letting distractions control you.

Strengthening Your Focus Muscle

Focus is like a muscle.

The more we practice, the stronger it gets.

But if we are always switching between tasks or reaching for distractions, that muscle atrophies and weakens.

So how do we rebuild it?

1. Train your brain to tolerate stillness. Spend time without distractions—go for a walk, meditate, sit quietly, or simply let your mind wander.
2. Find comfort in being with yourself. In these times of stillness, pay attention to what rises (thoughts, emotions etc.) to the surface, and be conscious about how you choose to deal with those.
3. Reduce unnecessary interruptions. Turn off notifications, set boundaries, and create an environment that supports concentration.
4. Practice deep work. Set blocks of time for focused, distraction-free work.
5. Be patient. Like any muscle, focus takes time to strengthen.

If we want to create real results in our work and lives, we need to relearn the lost art of focus.

It starts with making peace with stillness, understanding why we seek distractions, and taking back control of our attention.

Me? I am a dedicated meditation practitioner. Minimum once a day 20 minutes is my routine.

What about you? How do you train your focus muscle?

Please let me know in the comments.

Greetings from The Hague!

Zeyda

About the Author

Zeyda Erol is a holistic success coach with extensive experience in helping individuals achieve their personal and professional goals.

Zeyda offers tailored coaching programs designed to meet the unique needs of each client, focusing on empowerment, unlocking potential, and enhancing productivity.

#TheMindfulBlueprint

.

P.S.: Considering being coached and supported in 2025? Check my calendar here to book a free discovery call with me!

.

.

.

#PersonalGrowth

#MindsetShift #GrowthMindset #WorkSmarterNotHarder #LeadershipDevelopment #ProductivityTips #CoachingMatters #BreakthroughThinking #PersonalDevelopment #OvercomingObstacles #SuccessMindset #BurnOutPrevention #HolisticSuccess #ProductivityCoach #ProcrastinationCoach