Here’s the thing, can it really be helped?.. Im not overly convinced!

I have decided that, well providing that I can stay on task.., that I am going to explore the concepts behind “distractions” and the management of them in a modern world.

The fact that I have currently set this time out to be researching for an upcoming paper—yet i find myself uploading a video on the Stack may just highlight how even the more aware, are prone to allowing distractions to sneak in.

I mean its easy to see how susceptible we all are to this phenomena by simply looking at the description offered,

Like on the grand schemes of things I feel the key word here is “prevents”, as it implies a level of capture somewhat, and I personally I am of the position of belief that if we engage with “distractions” with enough willing, it in-turn becomes intentional, thus entering the realms of negative behaviour instead of attention capture—an action that requires a level of accountability.

What I am starting to realise is that its tricky to mitigate, and i’m not convinced that we are in complete control of what plays impact to our attention, leading me to re-think the utilisation to the term “Sorry, I paying attention”… You see its quite possible that I am offering my complete attention in these moments—just to something that my current exposed conditions have prioritised—even if this does sit within the sub-conscious.

Sorry what was I saying???

This is a powerful little realisation I had just before getting in the shower yesterday.

For those familiar with the idea of imposed conditions—whether self-imposed or placed on us by others—this may not come as too much of a shock. For those who aren’t, I’d suggest taking a little time to read around these concepts. It’s amazing how much control they can end up having over our lives.

Standing there, I noticed how easily tension appears when reality doesn’t line up with an internal “should.” From a Perceptual Control Theory (PCT) point of view, these shoulds are internal reference points—conditions we carry about how we expect ourselves, others, or life itself to be. Without ever consciously choosing them, we act to control our experience so it matches these references.

What struck me was that the discomfort I was feeling wasn’t coming from the moment itself, but from an old condition quietly running in the background. The moment I saw it as just a reference—something learned rather than something true—it loosened its grip. Nothing outside changed, yet the sense of pressure dropped almost immediately.

Simply highlighting how many of our struggles aren’t caused by circumstances, but by the conditions we’re unconsciously trying to satisfy.

I have finally decided what direction the “Diary of Joe Blogs” is going to take for the moment. What I am going to do is put a few more videos together to back up my ideas surrounding the H.E.R.D concepts — as I apply it to my own life. This will allow me to keep all the platforms connected, whilst ensuring that I can also maintain clarity with the other posts.

So this video starts things off with a little bit of congruence, and a massive failure from myself today. After reading an article on Substack yesterday, I came away with the idea that I would start my day with 500ml of water — this instead of my usual five cups of coffee…

I did.

It was a bloody struggle!

Following this, I made myself another 750ml bottle of my mammoth hydration, put it in the fridge to chill to the optimum temperature, and then proceeded to drink nothing but coffee for the rest of the day.

Started off so well, but this genuinely highlights how difficult it is to implement new habits. I actually consider it a massive failure, however, we start again tomorrow—and now I’m putting it into the ether.

I will be putting a post together on hydration for the main page. I would like to offer the idea that it plays a massive role in not only our physical well-being, but also that of our mental well-being.

Although I’m the short side of 40, and I’m already clearing the landing of any obstacles that may present a barrier to a 2am toilet dash!