Depth in a Distracted World
Uncover the Magic that Lies Beyond Your Mirror
Hello beautiful souls!
Welcome to our little corner of the written world where we learn a little, reflect a little, laugh a little, and embrace the multidimensional nature of our human experience - those things that lie within and around us, beyond the mirror. A little housekeeping:
I’ve added audio for each section if you’d rather listen.
In the web version of this newsletter, the topics are linked so you can jump right to the areas you want to read. Every article relates to the broader topic.
I’m trying to refine this each time. Comment which sections are your favorites, how many sections you’d like to see in each newsletter, or anything that got you thinking. I value your feedback.
Look for opportunities to connect in the chat in the week ahead.
This week we are getting your minds off the election. Instead we are talking about finding depth in a distracted world through these topics:
Surface-level thinking might be stealing away our happiness
(don’t miss the Instagram poem - “it was the damn phones”)
NASA used deep thinking to discover these little green guardians
An app to help you get your deep thinking time back on track
Your bodies central tuning system for a healthier body and mind
Let’s embrace the curiosities of our human experience and uncover the magic that lies beyond the mirror.
Thank you for joining me on this journey - let’s explore together!
Warmly, Sharon
“Every time we choose depth over distraction, we take back a little piece of ourselves.”
Not enough time to read - let me take care of that for you! Press play to listen to this section.
Lost in the Scroll: Beyond Surface-Level Thinking
It’s early morning, and you’ve finally carved out a pocket of time for yourself—a hot coffee, a cozy chair, a book you’ve been meaning to read for weeks. You take a sip, open the first page, and then… ping—a notification. "Just a quick check," you tell yourself. But one scroll leads to another, and before you know it, you’re down a rabbit hole, debating oat milk substitutes with strangers online and watching a raccoon steal someone’s pizza.
When you snap out of it, your peaceful morning has vanished, replaced by a weird sense of… fog. What just happened? It’s not just that you got distracted. It’s that, bit by bit, our ability to focus and really sink into life is being chipped away by technology and a world designed to keep us skimming the surface.
Turns out, there’s a term for this constant state of hovering above the depth of our own thoughts: surface-level thinking. And I believe too much of it keeps us—and society—in what psychologists call “languishing.” It’s that in-between space where you’re not exactly unhappy, but you’re not thriving either.
So in this week’s deep dive (dropping soon!), I’m exploring why many are drawn to reclaiming our capacity for focus and flow, and how rethinking our daily habits can help us create moments of presence and reclaim our ability to think deeply. Every time we choose depth over distraction, we take back a little piece of ourselves.
Reflect: What small change can you make this week to create a pocket of uninterrupted focus time, and what activity would you most like to dedicate it to?
Redefine: For the next week, set aside 15-30 minutes daily as “focus time.” Turn off notifications, put your phone on “do not disturb,” and dedicate yourself to one activity without interruptions. Afterward, note any changes in your focus or mood.
Thanks to NASA’s mission to keep astronauts breathing easy, we now know that our green, leafy friends are more than just decor.
Not enough time to read - let me take care of that for you! Press play to listen to this section.
Green Guardians: Houseplants that are NASA-Approved Air Purifiers
Did you know that your spider plant is a NASA-approved air purifier? Back in the 1980s, NASA had a problem that required that often elusive deep thinking we were just talking about. The problem? On a spacecraft, with no fresh air or open windows, the air would quickly fill up with chemicals from plastics, paints, and other materials that “off-gas” over time. With no natural atmosphere to filter it out, NASA scientists needed a solution to keep the air safe and breathable for astronauts on long-term missions.
Enter the Clean Air Study. NASA wanted to know if certain plants could be low-maintenance air filters, pulling toxins from the air and keeping oxygen levels just right. And the result? They found that many common houseplants can absorb and break down things like formaldehyde, benzene, and ammonia—those pesky VOCs that can build up in indoor spaces. Thanks to NASA’s mission to keep astronauts breathing easy, we now know that our green, leafy friends are more than just decor—they’re mini air-purifiers and oxygen providers, working away quietly, keeping our space (and us!) a bit healthier every day.
For example, the Snake plant releases oxygen which promotes better sleep, but it also plays a crucial role in brain function. The brain is highly dependent on oxygen to carry out all its essential processes, and even a slight drop in oxygen levels can impact mental clarity, focus, and overall brain health. So if you want to keep that brain pushing past the surface level, a little extra oxygen couldn’t hurt!
Reflect: Each plant has unique abilities - one excels at filtering toxins, another adds humidity. In my own life, what unique “purifying” role do I play within my family, work, or social circle?
Redefine: Think about small actions that help create positive energy in your relationships. For example, you might intentionally clear up misunderstandings, bring humor into stressful situations, or check in regularly with those who may need support.
The sound of “OM” is said to represent the entire universe, symbolizing a connection between all things.
Not enough time to read - let me take care of that for you! Press play to listen to this section.
The “OM” Zone: Why This Ancient Sound Just Hits Different
Spotify surprised me the other day, but in the best way. I was just looking for an audiobook to keep me company while making breakfast when this new song popped up: OM Zone Vol. 2, Pt. 1. Normally, I’d probably just skip over it, but for some reason, I felt like giving it a try and OM-ing along.
The second I matched the pitch of the audio, I could feel this deep vibration through my whole body. It was incredibly releasing. I’ve done meditation chants before, but this felt… different. Was it the frequency? Or maybe just the right moment? Whatever it was, it made a lasting impression. I only spent five minutes with it, but that feeling has stayed with me all week. Now I find myself craving the moment, looking for little pockets of time to tap back into that same sense of release and connection.
The simple sound of OM has been a go-to in Hindu, Buddhist, and yogic practices for centuries, helping people connect with inner calm and a sense of something bigger. Here’s why:
Vibration - When you chant OM, a deep, steady vibration resonates through your body—like a gentle hum for the soul. This vibration can even stimulate your vagus nerve, linked to stress reduction and relaxation. It’s like an internal massage releasing tension, grounding you, and giving your mind a quick refresh.
Natural Calm- The rhythm of chanting OM naturally syncs with your breath, creating a calming beat that slows down your heart rate and clears out mental clutter. It’s a chance to disconnect from the daily chaos, leaving you truly present.
The Whole Universe in One Sound - The sound of OM is said to represent the entire universe, symbolizing a connection between all things. Chanting it creates a moment of unity and presence—a reminder that we’re all in this together, connected by shared vibrations.
Third Eye Activation - In yogic traditions, OM is connected to the third eye chakra, the center of intuition and self-awareness. Chanting it is like giving your intuitive side a nudge, opening up space for reflection and insight and helping you feel more tuned into yourself.
Remove Distractions - With OM as your focus, distracting thoughts begin to fade. This is where mindfulness comes into play—letting go of the noise and simply being in the sound. It’s an easy anchor for staying in the moment and building mental resilience over time.
Next time you need a quick reset, give it a try. Find a place where it feels safe to fully lean into the experience. It’s a small sound with a big impact, blending physical, mental, and spiritual benefits to bring a sense of calm, clarity, and connection.
Reflect: If I could carry the sense of emotion I experience from OM into my day, how might it change the way I approach tasks, decisions, or even interactions?
Redefine: Use the calming effects of OM to set intentional, focused time for specific tasks that require deep thinking. Whether it’s for creative work, self-reflection, or problem-solving, start each focused session with a few minutes of OM meditation to ground yourself and reconnect with your inner focus. This ritual helps you transition from surface-level distractions to deeper, more meaningful engagement.
It gently reminded me to back away from my evening Instagram exploration that would inevitably lead me down the rabbit hole.
Not enough time to read - let me take care of that for you! Press play to listen to this section.
A Tool for Those Pesky Digital Distractions
We’ve been talking a lot about distractions and how easy it is to get pulled into the endless scroll. As I was prepping for this week’s content, I found an app that I wanted to share. It’s called Roots and it works by helping you manage your screen time. On my first night using Roots, it did it’s job. It gently reminded me to back away from my evening Instagram exploration that would inevitably lead me down the rabbit hole. I listened. I put down my phone, and instead talked to my husband and watched a show I wanted to catch up on.
You can create a free account, but you do have to make an effort to get to the “free” part. It’s there though, I promise. I’m not talking about the free trial, there is a free version once you select View All Plans. When you get started, it shows you how often you pick up your phone, the time you’re spending on apps and which ones you’re spending the most time on. Then, you select your desired downtimes and which apps should be blocked during them. I started with my evening wind down time between 9 pm and 11 pm nightly blocking Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
Instead of diving into quick dopamine hits every time I open my phone, Roots nudges me to set actual goals like reading more, using the time productively, spending time with family, and other areas I got to define as mattering more than my phone time. If you want to pay, it even tracks digital dopamine hits, helping you understand that not all phone apps are created equal. For example, let’s say that one hour on a podcast is only 10 dopamine hits and one hour on Instagram is 100. Instagram is my biggest with 1,235 dopamine hits over a 2 hour and 34 minute time period!
Reflect: What would my day look like if I fully chose presence over distraction, even in small moments, and how might that change how I feel or what I accomplish?
Redefine: Download the app and give it a try for 21 days (you know enough to make that new habit).
A well-tuned vagus nerve promotes resilience and balance, but when it’s off, we’re more likely to experience stress, digestive issues, mental fog, and even higher levels of inflammation, which can contribute to chronic health issues.
Fine Tuning Your Nervous System
Interesting little nugget: your vagus nerve is basically the body’s hidden DJ, fine-tuning the rhythm for everything from stress to digestion. Imagine it as a radio dial (yeah, a bit old-school), but instead of music, it’s adjusting the settings for your heart rate, mental clarity, and even how well you digest that last meal. This nerve starts up in your brain, threads down through the heart, lung, and gut areas, and acts like your own personal tuner for calm, focus, and balance.
The vagus nerve is the main player in your parasympathetic nervous system, aka “rest and digest” mode. When it’s doing its thing, your body chills out, your heart slows, and you’re able to focus and think more clearly. And if that wasn’t enough, the vagus nerve is also busy keeping inflammation in check, chatting with immune cells like it’s the ultimate peacemaker. When it’s running smoothly, you’re likely to feel resilient and balanced, ready to handle what life throws at you. But if it’s out of sync? Cue stress, digestive chaos, foggy thoughts, and even higher inflammation levels, which can spiral into health issues over time.
So, how do you keep this VIP nerve in top shape? Think of it like tuning up an instrument - it needs regular care and a few tried-and-true practices to keep the beat steady. Here’s how to give your vagus nerve some love:
Deep Breathing: Slow, deep breaths activate the vagus nerve, helping bring the body back into balance and reducing stress-induced inflammation for a clear, focused mind.
OM Chanting or Humming: Chanting or humming creates vibrations that engage the vagus nerve, promoting relaxation and focus. Think of it as a gentle way to “retune” your system.
Cold Water Splash or Shower: Cold exposure can reset the vagus nerve, reducing inflammation and bringing the body to a calm, alert state.
Gentle Movement: Activities like yoga or walking support vagus nerve health by boosting circulation, reducing inflammation, and keeping the body in tune.
Mindful Eating: Eating slowly and mindfully allows the vagus nerve to fully shift the body into rest and digest mode, enhancing digestion and reducing gut-related inflammation.
Laughter and Singing: Laughter and singing both engage the vagus nerve, lifting mood, releasing tension, and keeping the body tuned to a state of ease and balance.
Next time you feel off balance, try one of these practices. With each small adjustment, you’re helping to create the ideal conditions for calm, focus, deep thinking and overall well-being.
Reflect: When was the last time I felt truly calm and focused? What was I doing, and how did my body feel in that moment?
Redefine: A brief cold shower or spending a few moments in cool air (cue open freezer door during hot flashes) can activate the vagus nerve and enhance mental clarity. Start with just 30 seconds of cold water and gradually increase over time.
A Poem by Kori Janes via Instagram - “It was the Damn Phones”
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