Attention

I learned to snowboard in college. Everyone around me said the same thing: “Look where you want to go.” And they warned, “If you look down, you’ll go down.” Naturally, your body follows your attention. Wherever you look, that’s where you go.

Our culture works the same way. Attention is the most valuable currency, and where it goes shows what we truly value. The question is: who or what has your attention? Because if you’re not choosing, someone else is choosing for you.

Maybe it’s TikTok. Instagram. Facebook.

If there is one thing I can promise you about them: it’s they don’t have your best interest in mind. They are concerned with making money from you. They see you as a data set to profit from. 

Scrolling seems harmless and entertaining, but it’s more powerful than most people realize. It changes your dopamine, fuels anxiety, facilitates isolation and loneliness, and feeds depression. It shapes how you see yourself, how you live, and even the culture around you.

And that’s by design. The founders of these apps want one thing: to keep you addicted. More time on your phone means more profit for them and more isolation for you. This is especially true for people living in apartments or renting. Fewer friends over, less connection with neighbors, and more time in front of a screen.

Owning a home changes the equation. It builds equity, forces saving, and invests in your future. Beyond that, it reshapes your attention, what you value. When you own a home, you notice who lives next to you. You care about crime, schools, and the well-being of your community. Owning a home is a way of taking ownership of your life.

Humans were never meant to care about the world beyond their immediate community. Dunbar’s number tells us we can only meaningfully relate to about 150 people. Beyond that, connection fades.

When you rent, everything becomes disposable. Your space. Your time. Your attention. Your mental well being. Your peace.

So, put your phone down. Step outside. Talk to someone in person. Invest in your community.

The value of that attention is immeasurable. The real question is: what’s holding yours?