From Frazzled to Focused: The Transformational Power of Living with Intention
There’s a subtle hum that accompanies a distracted life - a constant buzz of open tabs, (both literal and mental), notifications pinging and the vague sense that you’re always doing something but finishing nothing. My mornings would blur into afternoons, my tasks half-done or half-started, my thoughts darting between groceries, email, deadlines, and the elusive notion of “something more.”
A shift to living with more focus doesn’t happen overnight, there was no magical “aha” moment. Instead, it began with a quiet craving for clarity. I wanted to look back on a day and remember being in it, not just floating through it. So, I experimented. I silenced distractions, redesigned routines, and got intentional about what deserved my energy.
Living life with focus feels helps you slowly but surely find yourself. Your thoughts settle. You notice textures, colors, patterns - the warmth of your coffee cup, the rhythm of your stride, the sparkle in someone’s eyes when you’re really listening. Instead of chasing time, you collaborate with it. You make conscious choices instead of defaulting to autopilot.
The focused life isn’t about rigid productivity or becoming a machine. It’s about choosing the present moment. It’s an act of creative defiance in a world that rewards frenzy.
And once you’ve tasted it, distraction starts to feel like fast food after a season of garden-grown meals.
If you’re somewhere between the two, distracted but yearning for more, start small. One mindful moment and one clear intention at a time.
Something I started doing to set up my next day for success is to journal before bedtime.
Yes! Journaling before bed is one of those deceptively simple habits that can sharpen your focus. Here’s why it works and how to make the most of it:
1. It clears the mental clutter.
You know those thoughts that swirl around as you're trying to fall asleep? Putting them on paper gets them out of your head so your brain can wind down.
2. It helps you process the day.
Taking a few minutes to jot down what happened, what stood out, or what made you feel something allows you to process the day and step into tomorrow with more intention.
3. It sets you up for tomorrow.
You can jot down list of priorities for the next day so you wake up with a plan.
Distractions will show up, they always do. But each time you choose to pause and return to what matters, you’re quietly reclaiming your focus. It’s not about perfection, it’s about intention. And the more you lean into presence, the more your life starts to feel uniquely yours - unhurried, meaningful, and rooted in what lights you up.
Here is an evening journal prompt to get you started:
What nudged me off course today and how did I bring myself back?
Where did I feel most present?
What’s one or two things that deserve my full attention tomorrow?
A journal with my artwork on it! The view out of my studio window.
