The Hidden Costs Of Distraction - EP 1046

Today, we talk about the hidden cost of constant distraction, as well as cover all of our usual Monday segments.

Featured Event: June 29 Meetup and Rabbit Processing Event

https://www.livingfreeintennessee.com/2025/06/02/rabbit-processing/

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Tales from the Prepper Pantry

• Country Store Update
• Canning Season Is Started
• Dried Herbs For Sale – Packaging Ideas
• Broccoli Score and How to Freeze It

Weekly Shopping Report From Joe:

Food City: The pet food aisle was well-stocked. Then we hit the usual places, next stopping at Dollar Tree. The drink selection continues to change, although the shelves remain full. There’s not a lot of Monster left, and I’m seeing a distressing number of “zero sugar” alternatives. These typically contain liver toxins disguised as artificial sweeteners. Fortunately I’m seeing a few choices made with cane sugar. They don’t have caffeine, but I’m trying to cut down on that anyway.

The tag in the store has lately been missing, but the online price of a 2x4x8 stud at Home Depot is still $3.85.

Aldi was last. Other than my preferred chocolate (I had to choose the 85% alternate), we found everything else we wanted. There have been a few more price changes since the last report, with decreases bigger than increases. Staple prices were:

• Bread (20 oz. white): $1.39
• Eggs: $2.96 (-)
• Whole milk: $2.72 (+)
• Heavy cream: $5.29
• OJ: $4.25
• Butter: $3.75
• Bacon: $3.99
• Potatoes: $3.49 (-)
• Sugar: $3.29
• Flour: $2.35
• 80% ground beef: $4.69

Untainted regular gasoline at Weigels is still $3.59/gallon.

No frugality tip this week.

Operation Independence

Attempt to launch the glamper rental LOL

 Main Topic of the Day: The Hidden Cost of Constant Distractio

What happened when I deleted tiktok from my phone - it got me to observing.

• Every major mistake I have made involved an interruption
• Slow progress

 

So I did a test - I became hardcore about interruptions, including leaving my phone away from me completely for hours at a time, setting alarms for benchmark tasks, and setting better boundaries.

• Better sleep, better health, better focus
• I pissed off some folks and hurt a feeling or two

Why do people resist stillness so hard?

• Fear of rejection
• They never learned to be alone
• Not following their purpose and they know it
• Using distraction to avoid processing trauma or other things

Then it hit me - distractions aren’t just digital—boundary violators are distractions too. We all have encountered people who don’t care a whit about your boundaries because what they need is more important to them. Who push beyond what is reasonable. And who seek to manipulate you when they realize that you are not going to play along.

 

What happens next is:

• Character assault
• Temper tantrums
• Manufactured crisis
• So much more

 

But what about being available to your true friends and your family?

The delio is this - If you need space to accomplish things, then your true friends and family will not only understand when you create that space, but they will help you do it. And if they won’t one of two things is true:

1. You are not honoring your commitments to relationships (We’ve all done this)
2. They arent a true friend or nontoxic family member

 

Because you are building YOUR life on YOUR terms to fulfill YOUR purpose

 

And that NEED to be constantly available and responsive? Is it truly a need because your Mom is in the hospital? Or is it a way to feel important? And what price are you paying by letting the distractions happen without end?

 

Just some food for thought.

 

REMEMBER

The Holler Roast Prebuy is live! Support the shack, get coffee credit, and score digital goodies. HollerRoast.com

 

Self-Reliance Festival tickets—Only a few left at the $95 price point. Don’t miss it before the next price jump.

 

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Make it a great week.

 

Song:

 

GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. 

 

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