Anyone else a Flitterer? (I need to copyright that word!)

I’ll be honest (aren’t I always!?), this is something I’ve always labelled myself with. My mum does it. My sister does it. And I? I’ve practically made it an Olympic sport. Flitting.

You know, jumping from one thing to another without really landing anywhere? For years I’ve shrugged and thought, “That’s just me.” But lately, I’ve been asking myself: does it have to be?

With the work I do, I know habits and patterns can be changed. Yet most of the time, I still catch myself doing it.

Is it because I’m taking on too much? Am I unfocused? Distracted? Or simply exhausted?

So, this week, as an alternative to flitting, I dug into the research to understand why we flit, and what’s really going on beneath the surface. Turns out, there’s more to it than just “not being disciplined.”

1. Fatigue Silently Hijacks Your Focus

When you're overtired, or carrying a mental load, your brain’s directed-attention system gets worn out (this is called directed attention fatigue). That means you struggle to filter out distractions. Everything becomes equally loud, and your ability to stay on one task dissolves.

2. We’re Wired for “Continuous Partial Attention”

Linda Stone called it that - ours is an age of constant scanning, not depth. She described it as an attempt to stay ‘live’ on every platform and not miss anything. The result? Stress, overwhelm, and worst of all, a feeling of never being fully present or satisfied.

3. Multitasking Isn’t Efficient - It’s Costly

Despite our best intentions, multitasking doesn’t save time. It fragments your focus and decreases productivity. Each time you switch, your brain has to restart, which costs time and energy. That’s why the to-do list never seems to shrink.

4. Stress, Sleep & Screens Speed the Drift

Recent surveys show the top culprits behind short attention spans are stress, anxiety, lack of sleep, and yes, digital devices. Couple that with emerging “popcorn brain” from endless scroll culture and shallow video feeds, and focus becomes almost unreachable.

What Works to Stop the Flitting

Reset Attention with Nature

Attention Restoration Theory tells us that natural environments, like mountains or forests, act as ‘soft fascination’, giving your brain a break and helping regenerate focus. Even a few quiet minutes outside can make a difference.

Schedule Smart Breaks

Try the “Take Five” method: every hour, take a tech break of 5 to 10 minutes to reset focus and reduce mental clutter.

Create Distraction-Free Zones

Time blocking tasks and putting your phone in another room can be a game-changer. Focus increases when notifications, tabs, and mental noise drop away

Be Gentle with Yourself

Your flitting is not a character flaw, it’s a sign your brain is overloaded. When you feel it happening, pause and ask: “Am I tired, overwhelmed, or avoiding discomfort?” That pause is part of mindful re-engagement.

Final Thought

We flit not because we lack discipline, but because our brains are taxed and overwhelmed. Especially as women juggling multiple roles, fatigue shows up in how we manage focus, and that’s OK.

Reset intentionally. Protect your focus. And remember: flitting is not failure - it’s feedback.