We cannot give our attention to everything. Every day, we face the challenge of deciding what deserves it and what does not. Sometimes it is a news story, an argument or a message from someone with whom we have a difficult relationship. If you know that responding to your sister will pull you into the same vicious circle of tension, anxiety and frustration, you do not have to engage. Not every message requires a response, and not every conflict deserves your energy. Recognising a familiar pattern and choosing not to repeat it is not avoidance. It is a conscious decision to protect your peace of mind.

Our attention is a limited resource, and how we use it shapes our daily experience. We cannot control what other people say, what happens around us or what demands our time. We can, however, decide what we allow into our minds and how much space we give it. This does not mean ignoring our responsibilities or pretending that problems do not exist. It means learning to distinguish between what needs our attention and what only demands it. A good day is not necessarily one in which everything goes well, but one in which we choose carefully what deserves a place in it.