Girl, my mental health skyrocketed when I shut down all my social accounts - including my 6k follower LinkedIn - and stopped reading news. I know not everyone has the privilege of getting off socials - it’s the professional lifeblood for so many. My point is that leaving it has made me feel in my body how toxic it was to me.
I no longer digest news daily. I read Heather Cox Richardson maybe once a week. I listen to Ezra Klein episodes maybe once every two weeks.
I know my community will tell me when there’s a protest I need to attend or when something major happens.
Phoebe tells me she can’t put her head in the sand like that (a not-so-subtle chastisement of her mom), but I say fuck it. I still know the world is on fire. I still know that congress fucked us the that cruel bill. But I’m not eating and drinking the diet of shit served up by socials and news anymore and wow! It actually makes me feel like a human connected to the physical world and people around me. My nervous system is so much happier.
yes, it’s maddening how the news gets in. I closed my Meta accounts, gave up my MSNBC habit, and stopped listening to NPR every morning. And still the horrific news, so toxic, keeps seeping in. I’m going to think about letting it roll off. Thanks for that tip.
I stopped drinking booze four years ago after a four day hangover. Then all the reasons I was drinking came out and did Riverdance in my brain until I began to face and unpack them. Little by little.
Saying no is a biggie, asking friends to slow their pace when we're out walking together, sounds small but everyone turns everything into 'their steps' for progress, progress.
Like many, for me now it's all about mornings. Replace the scroll with meditation, stretch and walk. I always take care with my breakfast, even if it's just a boiled egg and toast, a nice coffee pot, the right cup, sitting outside, journalling. The days take care of themselves. Not needing to be the loudest person in the group, or in my head. 🙏
I stopped watching the news during Covid. I didn’t like starting or ending my day with tears. I will read a few articles in the Washington Post now and then but hate to be dragged into sorrow (the missing campers). I had a good cry on that one. My life is happier, calmer and more productive without the news. If it’s important enough, I’ll hear about it eventually.
I love the idea of choosing pleasure when the world (or me) feels like it’s crumbling. Like planting tiny joy flags in defiance. I’m officially adopting your 2 questions: “Does this support my well-being?” + “What might be more pleasurable?” Brain upgrade accepted! 😉
What do I do to keep your mind above water and your creative heart beating? I look back at the past. I recall the good times personally. If I don't relate personally to what I get from looking at history, I can often get some consolation by realizing that whatever times we are living through, it's probably not the first time so I know and can hope that we can do that again.
I, too, love giving the finger to the Death Star crowd. But alas, even that has become exhausting. I am pulling back, meditating consistently, and trying to read books. I am also trying to concentrate on having hope and nurturing my empathy, my wounded heart, and my tired tired body. I still show up for protests...but I must admit, a part of me still feels a tiny bit guilty about pulling back so much. I am trying to accept that part of me, too, instead of flogging myself into anxiety over the fact.
And WOW...8 days way off the grid to decompress, and then the hives came right back? Sigh. I feel like that every time I come out of meditation. Like WTF is this, and do I have to come back? The American Dream...really?
The first and most important thing I am doing for myself is to let everything be slow. My art, the lessons I'm doing, putting together a journal that is simple enough for me to work with well, the things I aspire to. Everything slow.
Otherwise, I am in the middle of putting together ideas I think can help. Nothing earth-shattering (I mean, one is about simplifying but it's rather soul-baring) but just how to ease into things that quiet rather than excite the mind. I was very good at this and then lost it when a tragedy of sorts happened and am just now figuring this out, remembering it, and reintroducing what I'd lost with that loss.
I'm an artist and working on art as well, which will basically lift me out of time. That's helpful.
So this is all something I'm thinking about.
And I do not watch the news. I learned with 9/11 that I would know what was going on without looking. It's still happening. I know what's happened. And I may follow a story I want to know what happened with. But then I let myself sit with that. I have yet to miss a major news story since 2001. I think I'd need a mountain top to be able to do that.
Slow… I have been exploring that too. Over and over just slowing the roll. The pace I digest life at. I am a naturally fast moving person so it’s a stretch but a good one. Thank you! Look forward to your ideas when you share. ❤️
Wow. Did I need to hear this Jen, thanks! After I take a Quick Look at news/social media, I close it down for the day. Here’s what I do instead: take my walk with my doggy and husband. Spend time making something with paint or clay. Get out my yarn and make another Christmas stocking(I’m doing them for a local women/children center cause they asked). Get on Substack instead of the other social media platforms. If I’m really feeling it all, I go out and pull weeds with a slight vengeance. Bake muffins.
Every morning since leaving the 9-5 grind: affirmations, spiritual reading and/or meditation/breathwork and prayer. Then, I prepare breakfast and coffee, get into writing mode and take off - nothing negative outside of the sometimes woeful brain chatter in my way.
Self-care really is everything. My new morning has changed my life.
Jen, I now have neon green post its with your questions strategically placed in my house, too. Thanks for that -- and for reminding us that some patterns--including many we create for ourselves--are not always supportive, helpful or pleasurable. Here's to pivoting back to those that are.
I have been dealing with the most severe depression of my life. It’s become a habit to listen to YouTube videos like Heather Cox Richardson and Marc Elias and for a moment I feel better knowing that I’m not alone. But I think the overall toll that news and phone scrolling is taking on my life is negative and adding to my depression. I wish I were in that meadow. Maybe I’ll go to Yosemite today, I have a reservation. Living close to the park has it’s advantages
Oh Wendy, wishing you a lovely day in a magical place. Such glorious meadows in Yosemite!!! And please know you are NOT alone. I and millions of others feel the same. Take care please and I will too!
I love this Jen! I hit my wall in terms of my nervous being able to handle the outside world during Trump's first presidency. I have to ration the news severely. But reading your piece also reminded me that there is so much clutter in everyday life. I'm off to meditate!
I'm always trying to focus on gratitude and small pleasures. I have a routine that starts my morning and keeps me relatively sane: meditation, journaling, a walk, reading a bit of something uplifting... yes, I have to get up earlier, but it's worth it to me to start the day grounded in activities I enjoy.
Girl, my mental health skyrocketed when I shut down all my social accounts - including my 6k follower LinkedIn - and stopped reading news. I know not everyone has the privilege of getting off socials - it’s the professional lifeblood for so many. My point is that leaving it has made me feel in my body how toxic it was to me.
I no longer digest news daily. I read Heather Cox Richardson maybe once a week. I listen to Ezra Klein episodes maybe once every two weeks.
I know my community will tell me when there’s a protest I need to attend or when something major happens.
Phoebe tells me she can’t put her head in the sand like that (a not-so-subtle chastisement of her mom), but I say fuck it. I still know the world is on fire. I still know that congress fucked us the that cruel bill. But I’m not eating and drinking the diet of shit served up by socials and news anymore and wow! It actually makes me feel like a human connected to the physical world and people around me. My nervous system is so much happier.
I thought of you! I’ve cut waaay back and working in more. I love with Bob so I will always be well informed!!!
I love that for you, Lucy! I too don’t read the news but/and it’s like water! We swim in it. It gets in. The trick is to let it roll off. 🧡
yes, it’s maddening how the news gets in. I closed my Meta accounts, gave up my MSNBC habit, and stopped listening to NPR every morning. And still the horrific news, so toxic, keeps seeping in. I’m going to think about letting it roll off. Thanks for that tip.
I stopped drinking booze four years ago after a four day hangover. Then all the reasons I was drinking came out and did Riverdance in my brain until I began to face and unpack them. Little by little.
Saying no is a biggie, asking friends to slow their pace when we're out walking together, sounds small but everyone turns everything into 'their steps' for progress, progress.
Like many, for me now it's all about mornings. Replace the scroll with meditation, stretch and walk. I always take care with my breakfast, even if it's just a boiled egg and toast, a nice coffee pot, the right cup, sitting outside, journalling. The days take care of themselves. Not needing to be the loudest person in the group, or in my head. 🙏
Huge congrats on stopping drinking. And all that goes with that. I’m inspired by your morning too. ❤️❤️❤️
I stopped watching the news during Covid. I didn’t like starting or ending my day with tears. I will read a few articles in the Washington Post now and then but hate to be dragged into sorrow (the missing campers). I had a good cry on that one. My life is happier, calmer and more productive without the news. If it’s important enough, I’ll hear about it eventually.
thanks for reading Lesley and commenting!
I love the idea of choosing pleasure when the world (or me) feels like it’s crumbling. Like planting tiny joy flags in defiance. I’m officially adopting your 2 questions: “Does this support my well-being?” + “What might be more pleasurable?” Brain upgrade accepted! 😉
Im on day 3 and feeling better.
I'm looking forward to my day 3... 😉
What do I do to keep your mind above water and your creative heart beating? I look back at the past. I recall the good times personally. If I don't relate personally to what I get from looking at history, I can often get some consolation by realizing that whatever times we are living through, it's probably not the first time so I know and can hope that we can do that again.
I, too, love giving the finger to the Death Star crowd. But alas, even that has become exhausting. I am pulling back, meditating consistently, and trying to read books. I am also trying to concentrate on having hope and nurturing my empathy, my wounded heart, and my tired tired body. I still show up for protests...but I must admit, a part of me still feels a tiny bit guilty about pulling back so much. I am trying to accept that part of me, too, instead of flogging myself into anxiety over the fact.
And WOW...8 days way off the grid to decompress, and then the hives came right back? Sigh. I feel like that every time I come out of meditation. Like WTF is this, and do I have to come back? The American Dream...really?
The first and most important thing I am doing for myself is to let everything be slow. My art, the lessons I'm doing, putting together a journal that is simple enough for me to work with well, the things I aspire to. Everything slow.
Otherwise, I am in the middle of putting together ideas I think can help. Nothing earth-shattering (I mean, one is about simplifying but it's rather soul-baring) but just how to ease into things that quiet rather than excite the mind. I was very good at this and then lost it when a tragedy of sorts happened and am just now figuring this out, remembering it, and reintroducing what I'd lost with that loss.
I'm an artist and working on art as well, which will basically lift me out of time. That's helpful.
So this is all something I'm thinking about.
And I do not watch the news. I learned with 9/11 that I would know what was going on without looking. It's still happening. I know what's happened. And I may follow a story I want to know what happened with. But then I let myself sit with that. I have yet to miss a major news story since 2001. I think I'd need a mountain top to be able to do that.
Slow… I have been exploring that too. Over and over just slowing the roll. The pace I digest life at. I am a naturally fast moving person so it’s a stretch but a good one. Thank you! Look forward to your ideas when you share. ❤️
Wow. Did I need to hear this Jen, thanks! After I take a Quick Look at news/social media, I close it down for the day. Here’s what I do instead: take my walk with my doggy and husband. Spend time making something with paint or clay. Get out my yarn and make another Christmas stocking(I’m doing them for a local women/children center cause they asked). Get on Substack instead of the other social media platforms. If I’m really feeling it all, I go out and pull weeds with a slight vengeance. Bake muffins.
Those are all delightful and delicious! What kind of muffins?
Blueberries from our bushes.
yum!!!!
Zero social media since 2014.
Avoid news media.
Every morning since leaving the 9-5 grind: affirmations, spiritual reading and/or meditation/breathwork and prayer. Then, I prepare breakfast and coffee, get into writing mode and take off - nothing negative outside of the sometimes woeful brain chatter in my way.
Self-care really is everything. My new morning has changed my life.
I’m so so glad!!
Great story. Maybe your best.
Jen, I now have neon green post its with your questions strategically placed in my house, too. Thanks for that -- and for reminding us that some patterns--including many we create for ourselves--are not always supportive, helpful or pleasurable. Here's to pivoting back to those that are.
Gawd the patterns! Alway begin again… 🐒😘🥸
I focus daily on what I have in my life, not what's missing. It's called Attitude of Gratitude. I also limit my news intake every day.
I'm going to an amazing retreat in September in the Poconos to fill my well. It will be led by a brilliant woman named Jen Louden!
Can’t wait to hug you!!!
I have been dealing with the most severe depression of my life. It’s become a habit to listen to YouTube videos like Heather Cox Richardson and Marc Elias and for a moment I feel better knowing that I’m not alone. But I think the overall toll that news and phone scrolling is taking on my life is negative and adding to my depression. I wish I were in that meadow. Maybe I’ll go to Yosemite today, I have a reservation. Living close to the park has it’s advantages
Oh Wendy, wishing you a lovely day in a magical place. Such glorious meadows in Yosemite!!! And please know you are NOT alone. I and millions of others feel the same. Take care please and I will too!
I love this Jen! I hit my wall in terms of my nervous being able to handle the outside world during Trump's first presidency. I have to ration the news severely. But reading your piece also reminded me that there is so much clutter in everyday life. I'm off to meditate!
Thanks for reading Anne and here's to staying sane!
I'm always trying to focus on gratitude and small pleasures. I have a routine that starts my morning and keeps me relatively sane: meditation, journaling, a walk, reading a bit of something uplifting... yes, I have to get up earlier, but it's worth it to me to start the day grounded in activities I enjoy.
lovely!
Thank you so much. So identify!! Inso many levels. Living in Oregon's healing environment and growing spiritually in its fertile soil!!