Anonymous

Photography by Greer Diaz

If you’re reading this, be intentional with your attention.

Sometimes I feel exhausted by the constant fight against impulses to consume. It feels like part of the human experience is an endless denial of cravings. Cravings to buy, to eat, to drink, scroll, or any habit deemed “bad” by society, and push yourself to make healthier choices. Yes, these “healthier choices” build up to feeling better and a better life, but why is it built in us to desire so many things that are not “good” for us? I used to feel extremely alone in this battle and felt resentment towards the parts of myself I am always battling internally. That is, until I realized our world is constructed to play off these entirely normal, not inherently “bad,” desires to consume, experience pleasure, and avoid pain. Everything around you is designed to tug on this part of your nature, drag you to consume it, and create a dependency on it in order to make a profit off of you.

Speaking this out loud feels incredibly dystopian and hopeless. However, the simple act of becoming aware of this allows you to make two extremely important mental shifts. First, you can stop blaming yourself. There is nothing wrong with you, and it is not your fault you’re hooked on pleasure and terrified of discomfort. Once you release the self-blame, this becomes a much easier “problem” to tackle. It is not a part of yourself you must defeat, you may stop the internal battle. Second, you can take back the power by becoming intentional with where you give your attention.

Your life consists of what you direct your attention to. It is our most valuable asset, don’t let it be stolen from you without even noticing it is being taken. It is often not a conscious decision we are making to select what we are consuming. Still, every form of media, stimulation, and content we intake shapes our thoughts, nervous system, and experience. Be aware of how things shift your physical state. How it impacts what choices you make. What emotions come to the surface when you are doing one thing versus another. Be aware and be intentional. It is not your fault that everything around you is screaming for your attention, but it is your responsibility to decide where to spend it to create the life you would like to live.

The value of attention can be attributed to determining what receives your time and energy, but it also applies to how your perceptions are shaped by where your attention is directed. We see the external world through a filtered lens of our individual perspective, which is created by the content of our thoughts. All of these thoughts are derived from the content you consume, the words you speak, the people you spend your time with, and your actions. The self-deprecating jokes you make impact your perception of your own identity and affect how you show up in the world. The decision to stay in bed because it is raining reinforces the idea that weather can restrict your freedom and can exist as “bad” weather. The 5 minutes of scrolling while waiting in line drags you into an endless world of people you could be, things you could own, or experiences you “should” be doing that will remain in your head after you put the phone down. Be aware of how these things change your life.

I think a lot of life is lost when our attention is spread as thin as it is today with endless stimulation at our fingertips. There is a lot to be gained from decreasing the number of things holding your attention at any moment in time. When spending time with others, focus on the words they are saying and their body language. When you eat, notice each texture and flavor. When you exercise, feel which muscle is straining. This focus of attention can bring you into your body and allow for a much deeper connection between your mind and body, which in turn allows for a strengthened connection between you and the world around you. These shifts make it easier and easier to be aware and in control of where your energy and attention are placed and allow for a life rooted in presence and peace.

If you’re reading this, you deserve a life of presence and peace.

Anonymous, University of Wisconsin

Connect With Us

To follow IfYoureReadingThis at Wisco on Instagram, get in touch with our chapter, and learn about more resources available to Wisco students, visit our chapter’s homepage.

AUTHOR CONTACT

This author has opted to allow readers who resonate with their story to contact them. If you would like to speak to the author of this letter about their experience, please use the form below.