Lately I’ve noticed that I’m wasting far too much time on social media and other distractions, and it’s beginning to affect important areas of my life. There are endless interruptions these days, and I want to change how I spend my time so I can be more present.
For example, I started this post around 10 a.m. one day, and it wasn’t until 6:30 p.m. the next day that I finally got into a real rhythm and started making progress. That delay wasn’t because I didn’t have things to say—it was because I let a thousand small distractions pull me away.
I’ve been so distracted by little things that I’m missing out on living in the moment. Thoughts keep piling up and I often find myself mentally elsewhere during moments I’d rather enjoy. I feel impatient and rushed, and that speed through life keeps me from appreciating what’s happening now.
I even posted a quick poll on Twitter to see if I should remove Facebook from my phone:
Should I delete Facebook off my phone?
— Michelle Schroeder-Gardner (@SenseofCents) November 8, 2018
Two hundred people responded and nearly 90% advised me to delete Facebook from my phone. I was surprised by how many people suggested that, but it made me reflect on other sources of wasted time and how I could reclaim my attention and enjoy life more.
Time flies—before you know it the year has changed and life feels like it’s speeding by. Children grow up, milestones arrive, and the days slip away. I want to experience more of this beautiful world, rather than being preoccupied with things that hold me back.
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Here are the changes I’m making to live in the present.
1. I deleted Facebook from my phone.
I followed the poll advice and removed Facebook from my phone. I checked it far too often, and those frequent interruptions kept me from fully experiencing moments. Years ago I removed Pinterest and Twitter from my phone and it made a big difference, so doing the same with Facebook felt like the next logical step.
The average person spends many hours a week on multiple social platforms. If social media prevents you from living in the moment, consider deleting apps from your phone, temporarily deactivating accounts, or using time blocks that restrict access during certain hours.
2. I’m unsubscribing from unnecessary emails.
Over time I accumulated dozens of subscriptions, and now hundreds of promotional emails flood my inbox each day alongside personal messages. Filtering through them wastes time and sometimes causes important emails to get lost.
I’m unsubscribing from almost everything except the blogs and newsletters I genuinely enjoy and truly need. If your daily routine is consumed by checking, sorting, and deleting emails, unsubscribe from what’s not meaningful.
3. I stopped checking email constantly.
I used to reload my inbox obsessively—sometimes over a hundred times a day. That habit chews up time and focus. While running a business means there are times you need to be reachable, constant checking is rarely productive and fragments attention.
Instead, set specific times to read and respond to email. You might check only a few times a day—or even once daily if your situation allows. Turning off notifications and batching email into dedicated slots will protect your focus and make it easier to live in the moment.
4. I’m batch working.
I enjoy writing, but I don’t force creativity into every day. When I’m in a writing mood, I batch-produce posts—sometimes several in a day—then take breaks. Organizing work into focused blocks by task reduces context-switching and helps you be more present with whatever you’re doing.
5. I cut back significantly on TV.
We haven’t turned on our TV since around August 2018, and it’s been freeing. Television easily consumes many hours each week—time you could reclaim for a side project, spending time with family, exploring, or simply being present. Removing Netflix when we moved into an RV gave me space to focus on the blog and the places we were visiting.
6. I’m outsourcing more work.
I’ve gradually delegated work to an editor and a virtual assistant. For years I handled nearly everything myself, but as the blog grew, getting help made a big difference. Delegating tasks that don’t require your specific attention frees up time and energy for more meaningful activities.
Even if you’re not a business owner, you can outsource chores—lawn care, cleaning, auto repairs—that eat into your time. When deciding what to delegate, consider if outsourcing will help you earn or save time, whether someone else can do it better, and if it helps you reach your goals.
7. I’m focusing on being organized.
I’m not naturally tidy—I’m an “organized mess”—but disorganization costs time. Statistics show people spend days each year searching for lost items and many would save minutes daily if they were more organized. Becoming more organized reduces stress, late fees, and wasted time.
Practical habits that help include putting things away after use, keeping a schedule, writing tasks down, tidying regularly, and embracing minimalism. Those small changes add up and clear both physical and mental clutter, helping you stay present.
Posts related to minimalist living:
- How A Minimalist Lifestyle Can Bring You Happiness
- Less Is More: Guide To Becoming A Minimalist
8. I’m not wasting time on negativity.
I’ve spent too many hours worrying about negative possibilities and dwelling on small dramas. Negativity steals time and attention from the good moments that outnumber the bad. If you find yourself ruminating on regrets or gossip, you’re essentially wasting precious time.
Choosing a more positive outlook doesn’t mean ignoring real problems, but it does free up energy for actions that matter and helps you simplify life and live more fully in the present.
Do you find yourself too distracted? What steps are you taking to enjoy life more?