Slowing Down

Published On: 4/19/2025

Stepping away from keeping up with the internet. Focusing on what matters.

A Lot of Things Don’t Deserve Attention

I reach for my phone when I’m in bed, on the train, or even on the toilet—basically anytime I’m not actively doing something. The ease of access to a world of distractions has been chipping away at my focus and my time. Everything on the internet moves so fast, and I constantly feel the urge to keep up—the newest tech, the latest meme, or whatever’s trending on TikTok.

I’ve always known this was a problem, but recently it really sank in: knowing everything about everything is not important. That doesn’t mean I want to stop learning, but it does mean stopping myself from being consumed by things that don’t matter. Does it matter that Katy Perry caught heat for comments she made after going to space??? No, it doesn’t. It reminded me that the 1% are out of their minds and can no longer relate to everyday people—but I didn’t need to spend 30 minutes watching people roast her.

So I’m being more intentional with what I pay attention to. I still want to know about AI developments, but not so much the AI slop it’s been used for. I want to keep up with my favorite vloggers, but watching every upload really isn’t important.

Focusing on What Fascinates Me

Yesterday, I visited the MoMA for free (shoutout to Uniqlo) and put to use some of the new skills I picked up from Khan Academy’s Art History course. For the first time, I didn’t just glance at the art and move on—I felt more present and more curious.

One painting that really struck me was Collective Suicide by David Alfaro Siqueiros. I’d recently been reading about the brutal Spanish conquests, so the painting hit even harder. The sky is barely visible—shrouded in red and black, like smoke, fire, and despair—as the Spanish overpower the Chichimec Indians. It felt hopeless.

Art is one of many things I want to explore more deeply. It helps me connect with history, with people, and with myself. I’m hopeful that by staying focused on what truly fascinates me, I’ll feel like I spent my time well.