In a world that never stops scrolling, pinging, or demanding our focus, this episode of The Sieve asks a simple but essential question ... where is your attention going, and what’s it costing you?

In this Sifting Session, Karen explores the quiet power of attention: what it reveals about our values, how it shapes the way we live, and why reclaiming it might be one of the kindest things we can do for ourselves.

She reflects on the pull of distraction ... the endless dopamine loops of modern life and contrasts that with the calm satisfaction that comes from directing our attention deliberately, toward what actually nourishes us.

Because while we talk often about time as our most precious resource, it’s really our attention that determines the quality of our days.

This is an invitation to notice what’s been stealing yours and to gently begin taking it back.

In this episode:

🌿 The hidden cost of constant distraction

🌿 Why attention is an act of love and the foundation of a values-led life

🌿 How to reclaim your focus through small, daily shifts

🌿 A reflection prompt to help you notice where your attention naturally feels at home

Mentioned or inspired by:

• The concept of the “attention economy” and the neuroscience of dopamine loops
• Writers and thinkers like Oliver Burkeman (Four Thousand Weeks) and Jenny Odell (How to Do Nothing), who explore the value of slowing down and choosing where we look
• The beauty of boredom, daydreaming, and deliberate stillness

Reflection prompt:

Where does your attention feel most alive? And what might shift if you started treating it as something sacred?

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. And join the growing conversation over on Instagram @thesievepod ... a quieter corner of the internet where we can all exhale a little and sift through the good stuff together. 🌾