Is it Helpful Seeing Distractions as Either Good or Bad?

Some distractions are good while others get in the way.

Photo by Gigi on Unsplash

Today has not been a good writing day.

I’ve been distracted by a bad distraction — but one that’s wholly outside of my control. The loud tenants living in the apartment above us moved out.

Today, however, the management company for our complex has contractors tearing up and replacing the carpet above us.

This is not a quiet process. Today has been brought to you by the following sound effects: BANG! BAM! WHACK! KA-THACKA! Some with sufficient force to shake the whole building. Really.

Perhaps I could have switched over to my laptop and gone elsewhere. But other work needed to be done and it was more convenient to do it from my office during the loud work above me.

I got work done. But little of it has been direct for my writing practices.

But this has caused me to consider an important topic. Distractions.

While many distractions are bad — some are good. And recognizing this is important. Distractions are everywhere — and how they impact us is on us alone.

I have the power to control my thoughts, feelings, actions, and intentions. Mindfulness makes me…