{"id":5986,"date":"2024-05-13T07:00:40","date_gmt":"2024-05-13T11:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/omstars.com\/blog\/?p=5986"},"modified":"2024-05-08T10:35:46","modified_gmt":"2024-05-08T14:35:46","slug":"the-art-of-noticing-staying-present-while-living-in-an-information-tornado","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/omstars.com\/blog\/wellness\/the-art-of-noticing-staying-present-while-living-in-an-information-tornado\/","title":{"rendered":"The Art of Noticing: Staying Present While Living in an Information Tornado"},"content":{"rendered":"

When our phones \u201cconnect us\u201d to everything, but disconnect us from life itself, the simple act of <\/span>noticing<\/span><\/i> can change your life <\/span>\u2014<\/span> if you let it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I don\u2019t know about you but most days are entirely made up of staring at screens <\/span>\u2014<\/span> big screens, little screens, fun screens, work screens <\/span>\u2014<\/span> a day totally devoid of the magic of being alive. Just blue light pixels, parasocial relationships and infinite scrolling. There\u2019s certainly not enough <\/span>sweetness, goodness, <\/span><\/i>or<\/span> LIFE<\/span><\/i> in my day.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Screen time isn\u2019t life \u2013 yet, if an impartial species observed us like lab rats, they\u2019d conclude without a doubt that our existence is driven more by information consumption than by genuine connection.<\/span><\/p>\n

The average American spends <\/span>7 hours and 11 minutes<\/b> behind a screen, every single day. Which equals about <\/span>\u2153 of our lives.<\/b> (Another \u2153 is spent asleep, which is actually necessary for life.)\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In 1986, we processed 5 TIMES LESS information every day, than we do now. Where are we going to be by 2050?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This is why I\u2019ve committed to learning how to savor things and <\/span>notice <\/span><\/i>life around me. Because the wind blowing through my curtains at 3 pm on a Tuesday while the sunlight dances across linen fabric and a cardinal sings outside, is <\/span>so much<\/span><\/i> sweeter than scrolling depressing and anxiety-inducing headlines.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In a world that is anything but peaceful, acquainting yourself with the art of noticing becomes a form of nourishing, peaceful protest.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Art of Noticing & Mindfulness<\/b><\/h2>\n

When you notice the smaller things more, your days feel longer and richer, your creative wells regenerate and you approach problems more calmly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

These calming, meditative-like side effects occur because you <\/span>must slow down to notice<\/span><\/i>. You must ground yourself to notice. You can’t do this while moving at warp speed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So, yes this art of noticing is really, just <\/span>mindfulness<\/span><\/i> in a different outfit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But it\u2019s more approachable. It\u2019s action-oriented.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While I love mindfulness and the roots of the practice, the word is thrown around so often that it can start to lose its meaning. Almost like, \u201cYeah I meditated before, I get it.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But mindfulness, and the art of noticing is a <\/span>practice<\/span><\/i>, it\u2019s a verb, it’s something you <\/span>do<\/span><\/i>. For me, <\/span>noticing<\/span><\/i> is an easier on-ramp to handle than \u201cmindfulness\u201d <\/span>\u2014<\/span> for beginners, the <\/span>state of<\/span><\/i> mindfulness<\/span><\/i> can be way too abstract.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But noticing? Yeah, I can do that.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So, here are some ways you can put this art of noticing into action so that your days might be less defined by <\/span>big screen, little screen<\/span><\/i>, and more often bookended with the life and magic of being truly present.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

5 Ways to Practice the Art of Noticing For A More Pleasure-Filled Life<\/b><\/h2>\n

The act of “noticing” is both an active engagement and a sustained state of presence.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are a bunch of ways, besides meditation, to practice the art of noticing for a more pleasure-filled life.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Habit Stack It:<\/b><\/p>\n

A reliable way to incorporate new habits into your life is to \u201chabit stack\u201d. To add a new habit, like noticing, try to hitch it to a wagon already in use. In other words, smush together a habit you already do every day and a new habit, using the established habit as your touchstone.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are some ideas for using your daily routine as an invitation to begin noticing:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n