“Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention—and How to Think Deeply Again”
by Johann Hari
Recommended by: Lois Baynham
My ADHD diagnosis came as a surprise. I wasn’t actively seeking a diagnosis; I simply wanted help for my restless mind, overactive focus, and relentless drive to master complexity. After receiving my diagnosis, I did what many people do — I bought numerous ADHD books. However, most of them felt unhelpful, often written by the same professionals who had misdiagnosed us for years. Frustrated, I picked up *Stolen Focus*, which was recommended by an ADHD creator online, thinking that a book about attention in a broader context might be beneficial.
It was the first book I finished in years. With each of its twelve chapters, I felt my focus gradually return. I noticed myself unsubscribing from endless marketing emails, reducing my doomscrolling, and improving my screen time reports. By the end of the book, I felt lighter, calmer, and more in control than I had in years.
More importantly, the book reminded me that the world is not designed to allow restless minds to find calm or turn ideas into action. Instead, it is structured to capture our attention and hold it hostage, leaving us feeling inadequate if we don’t keep up with every trend.
For me, Stolen Focus was more than just a book about distraction; it served as a permission slip to stop blaming myself and start reclaiming my focus in a world intent on stealing it.
Lois’s Top 3 Takeaways
1. It’s not just you — the world is stealing focus
Hari argues that our society is structured in ways that constantly fragment our attention, due to factors like social media, work pressures, and information overload. For someone newly diagnosed with ADHD, this perspective can be validating; it’s not merely a matter of personal “laziness” or “weak will,” but rather an interaction between neurobiology and environment.
2. The loss of deep focus and flow
The book highlights the rarity of entering deep, immersive states of focus today. People with ADHD already struggle to sustain attention, and the cultural decline of “flow states” makes things even more challenging. This insight encourages reflection on how to intentionally create environments and routines that support deep work, rather than placing all the blame on oneself.
3. Solutions require both personal strategies and systemic change
Hari doesn’t simply suggest, “Quit social media and you’ll be fine.” He argues that larger societal changes are necessary, such as how we design technology, work environments, and educational systems. For someone with ADHD, this perspective can help shift the focus: managing ADHD isn’t only about self-discipline; it’s also about advocating for structures, workplaces, and tools that accommodate your brain.