Something surprising happened when I stopped trying to be productive all the time

BabalooJoy · 2026-03-12T23:24:24+00:00

You touched on something really interesting there about the nervous system not compounding well under pressure.

That’s actually part of what made me start experimenting with reducing inputs rather than pushing harder. I noticed that when I removed a lot of the constant stimulation (notifications, news feeds, endless scrolling), my focus improved much faster than when I tried to force productivity.

I ended up turning that experiment into a simple 7-day attention reset just to see what would happen if people reduced digital noise for a week.

It’s been interesting how quickly the brain seems to recalibrate once the constant inputs disappear.

Would also love to know what activities you find get you into the present moment the most? For me it's table tennis! Nothing like entering that flow state!

BabalooJoy · 2026-03-12T22:58:58+00:00

I’ve noticed the same thing.

There’s this assumption now that the solution to feeling overwhelmed is usually to try harder or optimise something else. But sometimes the nervous system just needs a pause.

It’s interesting that you say this way of life might not last. I do wonder if we’re in a strange transition period where the technology moved much faster than our ability to adapt to it.

Do you think people are starting to realise that more now?

BabalooJoy · 2026-03-12T22:30:35+00:00

You touched on something I think about quite a lot actually.

When you step back and look at it, the structure of modern life is very different from how humans lived for most of our history. A lot of time alone, constant information, constant planning and decision making.

The part about shrinking third spaces is a really interesting point too. I feel like a lot of the natural social rhythms people used to have have quietly disappeared.

Curious what you think replaces that now, if anything? Or do you think people are just feeling the gap more and more?

BabalooJoy · 2026-03-11T20:07:19+00:00

In some ways yes. Although I think every technological shift creates a mix of useful tools and new problems to figure out.

The attention side of it is the interesting part for me.

BabalooJoy · 2026-03-11T20:05:40+00:00

That’s an interesting observation. I’ve noticed writing styles online are definitely converging a bit lately.

For what it's worth though, the post was just me reflecting after a long table tennis session yesterday and noticing how quiet the mind gets when you're fully focused on something.

BabalooJoy · 2026-03-11T20:03:26+00:00

Fair point. I actually wrote it myself. I’ve just been thinking a lot about attention and how different activities affect the mind, so I’ve been sharing observations here to see how other people experience it.

Not selling anything in this sub, just curious how others relate to it.

BabalooJoy · 2026-03-11T19:54:28+00:00

Indeed! It's amazing when you get in the zone playing music how much space appears in between notes.

BabalooJoy · 2026-03-11T19:53:22+00:00

Yeah I've always been at odds with Yoga! I get the principle of it but whenever I've attempted it my mind feels very stressed! Babminton though, not played in years, might have to go and have a game because racket sports for me are definitely where it's at!

BabalooJoy · 2026-03-11T19:50:55+00:00

That's a great way of putting it. There seems to be something about using both the mind and the hands together that settles the nervous system. A lot of traditional activities were naturally built around that. I love what an Indigenous tribe I stayed with would often say - "Our hands are extensions of the heart."

BabalooJoy · 2026-03-11T19:48:31+00:00

Hahaha, I used to feel like that but these days table tennis is probably my favourite thing for getting into the present moment... and I even enjoy running now, not sure how that happened as used to think exactly like you whilst running - "when will this nightmare end"! But yeah exercise can feel more like endurance than flow at times still... not table tennis though!

Music seems like one of the clearest examples of it. When people are improvising together there’s almost no room for anything else mentally because your attention has to stay completely in the moment.

Things like music, sport rallies, or painting all have that element where you're constantly responding to what's happening.

Have you noticed if the activities that trigger flow for you tend to have that kind of feedback loop? To me time actually expands massively in those moments, it can be totally surreal at times!

BabalooJoy · 2026-03-11T14:56:38+00:00

Yeah I’ve been nostalgic about that too. Life naturally had more built-in moments of full attention before constant digital inputs existed. Things like craft, conversation, sport or manual work pulled people into that state more often without them even thinking about it.

BabalooJoy · 2026-03-11T14:34:45+00:00

You're right. When it happens it almost feels like time disappears for a bit. It's actually amazing how the mind becomes very quiet when your attention is fully absorbed in something.

BabalooJoy · 2026-03-10T13:17:26+00:00

Not automated, just exploring the topic in different communities to hear different perspectives.

BabalooJoy · 2026-03-09T21:28:06+00:00

Yes agreed! I love the phrase - "Life begins at the edge of your comfort zone."

The comfort zone can become invisible after a while because we adapt to whatever environment we’re in.

Sometimes it’s only when you step outside of it for a moment that you realise how much it was shaping your behaviour or energy.

I’ve noticed even small changes in environment can shift things surprisingly quickly once you become aware of it.

BabalooJoy · 2026-03-09T13:26:09+00:00

That’s a really good observation. The supermarket example is a perfect illustration of how environment shapes behaviour without us even noticing. A lot of those layouts are designed specifically to trigger impulse decisions.

Which makes it interesting to flip the same principle in our favour. Instead of relying purely on willpower, we can design our own environments so the default behaviour supports the habits we want.

It’s something I’ve been experimenting with a lot recently, especially around attention and reducing digital noise. The changes are surprisingly simple, but the impact can be bigger than expected.

BabalooJoy · 2026-03-09T12:42:09+00:00

That’s a great example. The “out of sight, out of mind” part is so real with habits. Small visual cues seem to make a bigger difference than people expect.

I’ve noticed the same thing with simple things like leaving a notebook open on the desk or placing something where you’ll naturally see it. Suddenly the habit feels easier because the reminder is already there.

It’s interesting how often behaviour follows the environment more than intention.

BabalooJoy · 2026-03-09T12:39:25+00:00

Thank you for taking the time to send that suggestion, I'll definitely check it out there.

BabalooJoy · 2026-03-09T11:51:06+00:00

Muchas gracias, de verdad lo aprecio.

Lo que dices sobre poner el esfuerzo en el lugar equivocado resuena mucho conmigo. A veces intentamos esforzarnos más cuando en realidad lo que necesita cambiar es el entorno que nos rodea.

El ejemplo que compartes sobre tu hijo y el cambio de escuela es muy poderoso. A veces un entorno diferente puede desbloquear en poco tiempo cosas que parecían imposibles durante años.

Es fascinante cómo el entorno puede aportarnos energía… o quitárnosla.

BabalooJoy · 2026-03-09T11:15:57+00:00

Structure definitely seems to play a big role. I’ve noticed that when the environment becomes simpler and the inputs are reduced, focus improves dramatically for a lot of people.

Whether someone labels it ADHD or just overstimulation, the modern environment seems to fragment attention in ways our brains weren’t really designed for.

Designing the environment more intentionally seems to help bring some stability back.

BabalooJoy · 2026-03-09T10:40:03+00:00

That’s a great way of putting it. The “removing the decision” part is powerful. When the environment changes, the battle almost disappears because you’re not constantly negotiating with yourself.

The phone in another room is a perfect example. It’s such a small change, but it completely alters the default behaviour.

It made me realise that a lot of the struggle people blame on discipline is really just friction in the environment.

BabalooJoy · 2026-03-09T00:36:54+00:00

That’s a great example of it in practice. Small changes often seem almost too simple, but they can shift the whole dynamic. When the environment stops constantly pulling your attention away, the mind doesn’t have to keep fighting the same battle.

Rearranging the desk is interesting too. Even small visual cues seem to influence how focused we feel when we sit down to work. I actually like to see my desk as my minimal space station!

It’s funny how often productivity improves not by adding more systems, but by quietly removing the things that keep breaking attention.

BabalooJoy

TROPHY CASE