How I Slowly Got My Focus Back (with Salam)
Assalamu alaikum - I wanted to share something that’s helped me concentrate a lot better during the day. I’m not perfect (nothing is), I still have off days, but overall I can focus FAR more than before I started this practice. I’m way more productive and less scatterbrained than I used to be. In my late teens/early 20s I noticed my attention span getting worse and worse. It felt like my focus was broken. Whenever I tried to work on something boring, I just couldn’t stay with it. That annoyed me because I wasn’t always like that. I used to be able to read for hours and keep my attention even on tasks I didn’t enjoy, like essays or chores. I eventually realised why: too much time glued to screens - especially mindless phone scrolling. Most of us don’t notice how much it rewires the brain. Hours of flicking through stuff trains you to give up when things are dull. The moment your brain isn’t entertained, you swipe and there’s something new. Do that every day and your brain starts chasing cheap novelty instead of patient focus. If you’re still with me… I found an antidote. It’s basically the opposite of doomscrolling. It has no flashy novelty - you have to sit with boredom and steady your attention on one point. Over time that builds deeper focus. For me this practice has been a big help. It’s simple and takes about 10 minutes a day. What I do: 1. Light a candle and quietly gaze at the flame for a few minutes. 2. Close your eyes and observe the afterimage behind your lids. 3. When the afterimage fades, open your eyes and repeat. 4. Your mind will wander - whenever you notice it drifting, gently bring your attention back to the flame or the afterimage. That’s it. It’s calm, and it teaches patience and steadiness. If anyone wants to ask about this exercise or how I fit it into my daily routine, feel free to ask. JazakAllahu khairan!