Over the last 9 days I’ve been easing into this year’s Attention Sovereignty experiment – an evolution from last year’s Digital Detox (pages now combined).
I’ve weeded the garden, so to speak: checked my Digital Wellness settings, turned off notifications, removed distractions, and written down the things I’ll need so I don’t have to unlock my phone to find them.
I’ve also prepped the soil—made a 10-day project list, pulled a few books off the shelf, prepped some meals so I remember to eat, planned a hike, and booked a massage and a haircut for my birthday.
Tomorrow, the social apps come off my phone – not just “paused” or notification off, but completely removing the app.
Not because I’m done with them forever.
Because I want to see what grows in the space they leave behind.
Because every notification is an invitation into someone else’s agenda.
Because this is an experiment in protecting my headspace.
Last year I discovered something unexpected: slowing down wasn’t something I did… it was something that happened naturally when my attention wasn’t constantly being pulled elsewhere. By the end of those 10 days, I knew I had more in me.
This year I’m stretching the experiment to 30 days.
The first 10 are about building awareness.
The middle 10 include stepping away from social media entirely—with three of those days completely offline.
The final 10 are about returning intentionally and creating new boundaries.
There was a time I didn’t think I could handle that. Yet I’ve heard so many friends go completely cold turkey. And today I feel not really much better at managing my attention with socials better than I was last year.
So this year, I’m entering into this experiment with utter curiosity because I’ve noticed lately:
- I’ve become more aware of ego’s desire for validation—and how easily social media feeds it.
- Going to my phone to text someone feels like having to walk through a casino of distraction first. I often don’t remember why I unlocked my phone.
- I’ve noticed I’m simply more present when my phone isn’t competing for my attention: Conversations are deeper. Silence is richer. Bird sounds are more distinctive. Thoughts are fluid and lengthier.
It begs me to ask:
Who am I without checking the numbers?
What do I notice when my first instinct isn’t to reach for a screen?
How much more of my own life can I actually experience?
If this resonates with you, take the challenge with me – whether for one day to start, 10 days, or 30 if you’re over zealous like I am lol.
Visit the Attention Sovereignty page to get this year’s checklist and print it – so you can fully let go of the screen.
I’ll be in the garden.
Reading.
Writing.
Making herbal medicine.
Celebrating another trip around the sun.
Listening to birds instead of notifications.
The garden will keep growing. And so will we.
I’ll see you on the other side. 🌿❤️
