The Attention Diet
What you feed your mind becomes your life.
Six steps on guarding what you take in.
The big idea
You are not just what you eat. You are what you keep looking at.
What does “The Attention Diet” walk through?
What To Dwell On
Philippians 4:8 · KJV
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
In plain English
Whatever is true, honourable, right, pure, lovely and admirable — think about these things.
A Filter, Not A Cage
Paul does not tell the Philippians to consume nothing. He gives them a filter — true, honourable, right, pure, lovely. The question was never whether you take things in. It is what you let stay.
You Become What You Rehearse
Proverbs 23:7 · KJV
For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
In plain English
As a person thinks in his heart, so he is.
“Nobody drifts into attention. You are always being formed by something — the only question is by what.”
Storing Something Better
Psalms 119:11 · KJV
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
In plain English
I have stored up your word in my heart, so that I might not sin against you.
Fill, Don't Just Empty
Deleting an app leaves a hole, and a hole does not stay empty for long. The psalm writer's plan was not less input. It was better input, stored deep enough to reach for.
Renewed, Not Squeezed
Romans 12:2 · KJV
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
In plain English
Don't be shaped by this world. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so you can discern what God's good and perfect will is.
Pray
God, I have been letting anything in and wondering why my mind is so loud. Teach me what to keep and what to close. Amen.
Write it down
What is one thing you take in daily that is quietly shaping you?
A cleaner input
You do not have to fix your whole feed today. Close one thing that was never feeding you.
Which passages does this journey use?
4 passages, drawn from Philippians 4:8, Proverbs 23:7, Psalms 119:11, Romans 12:2. Every verse appears here in the King James text with a plain-English line beside it, so you can read it without a commentary open. Allow about 7 minutes for the whole thing, or 8 short sittings.
- Philippians 4:8
- Proverbs 23:7
- Psalms 119:11
- Romans 12:2
Read any of these in full on the complete KJV, or look the wording up independently at Blue Letter Bible.
More in Your Phone and Your Soul
All Your Phone and Your Soul →What Scrolling Costs You
Counting the price of an ordinary hour.
Digital Sabbath
Practising a day that does not need you.
Your Phone And Your Prayer Life
The first thing you reach for.
The First Five Minutes Awake
How a day gets its direction.
Curating What You Consume
You are allowed to close things.
Being Present With People
Half-attention is its own kind of absence.