The Practice of Attention: Cultivating Presence in a Distracted World - Paperback

by Cody Cook-Parrott (Author)

"When our attention splinters, so do we.... It is not an exaggeration to say this book will save your life. It saved mine." — Holly Whitaker, New York Times bestselling author of Quit Like a Woman

It's no secret that our attention is fractured. We look for distraction anytime we have a spare moment or feel bored or uncomfortable. We yearn to be fully immersed in the moment — whether for deep work or pleasure — but we have almost forgotten how.

In The Practice of Attention, beloved artist and teacher Cody Cook-Parrott offers a vulnerable exploration of how they overcame social media and technology addiction, sharing their "road map for reclaiming the most precious of resources: our time."

With a focus on the art of presence rather than the science of productivity, this book encourages you to:

• Investigate what you're avoiding and who benefits when you distract yourself
• Conduct an Attention Audit to understand where you place your focus throughout the day
• Implement a Digital Detox in ways that feel nourishing and meaningful
• Cultivate daily rituals rather than routines
• Nurture practices that bring fun, play, and spaciousness into your life
• Foster curiosity and devotion, and let go of perfectionism and people-pleasing

Shifting our attention has profound power on how we experience ourselves and those around us. Cody writes: "This is my wish: that you feel less pull toward your screen and more pull toward your life."

Author Biography
Cody Cook-Parrott is a writer, artist, and movement practitioner who builds simple structures that help artists make work. They write a weekly newsletter, host the podcast Common Shapes, and teach classes on quilting, writing, and creative business. Their work has been featured in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, Dance Magazine, and The Huffington Post.

• Number of Pages: 256
• Dimensions: 0.8 x 8.44 x 5.44 IN
• Publication Date: March 17, 2026