Distractions
Distractions can be interpreted as either "a thing that prevents someone from giving full attention to something else" or "extreme agitation of the mind or emotions". These are both physical and mental distractions that can affect us very differently. Physical distractions can happen for a multitude of reasons that range from boredom to being unpassionate about something, so much like how writing blogs is for a lot of you. So instead of doing that task, you "distract" yourself with something shiny.
The same can be said with emotional distractions. Maybe you have a lot on your plate, so it is hard to focus. Maybe your parents are getting a divorce, so you have decided to marry your bed and shut the world out. Whatever the distraction and reason behind it might be, have you ever thought they were necessary? Have you ever thought how much strain it would be on your body to work 24/7? Probably not, because you would have committed suicide by now.
Dis- -Traction
Dis- is a negative prefix that means "not" or "none". To gain traction is to move, to push forward in life and towards a goal. *(you can see where I am going here)*. We all have goals, and in a capitalist society such as America, there will be a lot of obstacles. Furthermore, work is hard. So to go and push towards your goal is nearly impossible. However, that is what rich people tell us all the time.
Steve Harvey once tweeted that "rich people do not sleep eight hours a day." He is right… they probably sleep more. This whole notion that burnout is OK and working yourself constantly is toxic to the American people. We are taught that all distractions are terrible and that the only good way to be a citizen is to work. It is like we forgot the original meaning and the many uses of "distractions".
Distrahere
The word distraction comes from the Latin dis-, "apart," and trahere, "drag." A distraction is either when you are dragged away from your task or from your worries. Now let us focus on that second part. Your worries. Not too damaging if you ask me. It seems like earlier versions of the word held different connotations. After all, while work was necessary, these early civilizations were not capitalist and believed in leisure time. They believed you needed breaks from backbreaking work under tyrannical rule.
Delaware Psychological Services
The Delaware Psychological Services and their associates wrote a list of sixty excellent and helpful distractions. Their goal is to teach people that "distractions can also be a good thing when they are conscious and healthy." Of course, they cover how some can be bad, and others can be good. It is just about knowing what is what—texting while driving and substance abuse are terrible distractions. However, reading a book, going for a jog, or chatting with your mother can all be perfect distractions. Think about it this way: Let us say you are trying to lose weight. Now you have a craving for something sweet and high in calories. Are you going to give in? Probably not, but now you need a distraction, so you do not have food.
Our Author Mike Robbins states that *"The ultimate goal of this process is for us to be able to choose to 'distract' ourselves in a truly healthy way," "When our motivation is positive (we're not avoiding anything, but choosing consciously to take a break), the outcome and experience of our "distraction" is more likely to be healthy and beneficial."
"If we are going to live a life of growth, meaning, and fulfillment we need lots of healthy breaks and rest along the way, especially when things get hard," adds Robbins. "If we do not take these breaks, it is easy to let worry, fear, negativity, doubt and the daily pressures of life take over, almost without us even noticing."* What Robbins states is beautiful and authentic in so many facets.
Next Time
Take a look at this list next time you are feeling hopeless or as if the world is weighing down on your shoulder. Distractions can help you break the cycle of hopelessness that can consume you after you fail at something. They can take you out of your negative and unconscious thinking. From there, you can reduce the intensity of the emotion so it can be managed. Which essentially means take a time out but do not sit in the corner facing the wall. Do not deny or run away from the problem. Collect yourself, and later, you will return with a more leveled head to process and be in a better position to come up with a unique resolution.
I say all this to say our Authors in class and like 90% of Americans are wrong. Distractions can and should be seen as "simple and effective ways to make you feel better, rekindle your spark, and help you combat negative feelings and unhealthy habits." Distractions were never the problem. The problem is the competitive world we live in, where we constantly pit each other against one another. This mindset has made us spiteful and dull, and we are isolated in this behavior. Please go outside, smell the air, and stop working. It is OK. The work will be right where you left it when you come back.
Staff, D. P. S. (2020, November 6). 60 healthy and uplifting distractions. Del. Psych. Services. Retrieved April 8, 2023, from https://www.delawarepsychologicalservices.com/post/60-healthy-and-uplifting-distractions
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