Many things can create distractions that take us away from what’s important, what we desire, and what we know we “should” focus on. One of the worst culprits we are all too familiar with is technology.
Distraction attraction occurs when we spend valuable time doing anything that creates stress in our lives. How do you feel when you realize you spent an hour scrolling Facebook and didn’t even accomplish what you went there for?
Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. ~ Romans 12:2 (MSG)
What happens when we fall into distraction attraction and neglect our boundaries?
We may get angry about that wasted hour on Facebook. If it happens frequently, chances are we get upset with ourselves and put ourselves down; we might even get depressed at our seeming inability to adhere to our boundaries.
For many of us, we’ve had our times of committing to “no more than 15 minutes a day on social media.” Some version of this boundary probably sounds familiar.
Social media is just one part of technology that can create stress when we don’t maintain boundaries.
Distraction attraction is a state of mindless numbing out that comes with choosing to neglect our boundaries. We always have a choice. Click To Tweet
Helpful steps to maintain boundaries with technology:
- Be aware of where and when you tend to give in to distraction attraction.
- Know your go-to distraction environment (Facebook, online shopping, or Netflix).
- Know what you will do when the temptation arises.
- Be aware of when life conditions are prime for a perfect storm.
Components of a distraction attraction perfect storm include:
– A deadline or big decision is looming
– A H.A.L.T. stressor exists: Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired
– You are in a wounded state and seeking comfort
– You do not have a specific reason for getting on social media, coupled with not giving yourself a boxed-in timeframe
– You have no accountability
Sometimes, we choose to set the world aside and use technology. A conscious choice that does not become a habit or take us away from what’s essential can be a good thing. It can help us relax and get refocused.
⏸ Pause to Pray, Ponder, & Journal
- Do an honest evaluation of your tendency to get caught up in distraction attraction. How much of a problem is this for you?
- Does your honest evaluation lead you to the need to maintain boundaries with technology, or are you doing a good job?
- What could you have accomplished if you had back the hours you lost to distraction attraction last week?
Take Action!
Need help setting or maintaining boundaries? Click here and learn more about my Healthy Boundaries Framework Coaching.
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➡️ Take the step to Discover and Explore the woman God created in you. Gospel-centered Enneagram Coaching.
➡️ Check out the Influence Multiplied Community – private, not on social media.
➡️ Check out the free resources available for you.
Coach Deb is a certified Christ-centered Enneagram Coach, Christian Leadership Coach, best-selling author, and women’s retreat leader.
A Personal Note:
As someone who has embraced long-term recovery, I’ve lived through a life without boundaries and understand the chaos it presents. The concept of boundaries extends beyond those in recovery; they are essential for me to embrace the woman God created me to be. These boundaries are crucial in enabling me to answer His call to serve and, even more significantly, to love as He directs me to love.
