I must admit that I once was a news junkie.
I used to read several newspapers, watch the news on TV, not to mention the internet as a vast resource of news.
But it was probably the worst thing I could do, being someone who is rather sensitive. And who has a mind that sometimes goes like a roller-coaster. Adding so much useless information, my mind sometimes almost exploded!
Now I try to only rarely read the news. I still like new information, but I try to gather only new information about some focused areas. This way my mind stays relatively clean and focused.
Once I was reading the biggest German online news portal and was looking for some good news – I did not find a lot of it. Maybe some science stories, but that was it. The vast majority of the information was either something to potentially worry about or something unrelated to my life.
And this news portal wasn’t even a tabloid site – those sites tend to emphasize even more the dangers of our society, all the corruption that is going on, how the world is a bad and scary place, oh, and have you seen the new outfit of that celebrity?
If you know the saying “only bad news are good news”, then there would be almost only “good news” – and that’s why there is so much bad news. Fear based media is just something we draw attention to, even if there is no actual danger.
That doesn’t mean that you should live in a bubble where everything is just oh so fine, and you don’t wanna see how reality is. That’s not what I would suggest. But probably the news are not reality, either. They are just a very small, filtered part of reality.
Maybe you are one of the few people who live in an area with a high crime rate. But chances are much higher that you live somewhere where it is rather peaceful and quiet, and people are not always friendly to each other, but sure most of the time.
I’m reading a lot about the subconscious mind lately. Our unconscious mind is like a recording device, it records everything we experience, and everything is stored forever. Now, is it really good if you have stored a lot of bad news in your unconscious mind? Because it adds up.
If you still want to watch the news, ask yourself:
As tragic as it is to the people involved, I don’t see much value in reading about car accidents. When someone I care would have a car accident, I would know, and I probably wouldn’t find out about it in the news.
Maybe a short question to ask is just:
Is it just clutter?
I always joke around that when I don’t read the news, if there would be an apocalypse of some sort, my neighbours would tell me. What a relief, isn’t it? 😀
I really do recommend to do a media fast trial of some sort, be it for a week or a month, or even just a day. Normally a 30 day trial is a good idea, because it is enough time for a new habit to sink in, and at the same time it’s not too long (oh my, you don’t have to do it your WHOLE LIFE! 🙂 )
I just did a 30 day trial with no news, it ended today. The first days were strange, because I experienced withdrawal symptoms. Often I thought “Oh, it would be so interesting to read new stuff right now!” Then, after the first days, those thoughts vanished. Strangely, the first few days were rather tough, though.
Now my mind is more focused and I feel more clarity. I feel more free and my mind has more space to process other things.
I have less mental clutter, it’s really nice. I even have more time to do other things.
Try it out, you could still switch to your old behaviour after the trial has ended.
Do you still watch the news? What do you think about it? Is it useful for you?
Because sometimes it’s really nice not to know too much.
You know what happened to the spy who knew too much, right? 😉
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Hi Peter,
Nice you implemented a news-free lifestyle 😉
There are two types of news for me. The first group is the information about recent, usually negative, events broadcasted by mainstream media. The second groups is the noteworthy information about recent events which I consider important for my conscious living.
Concerning the mainstream media news, I stopped watching them many years ago. In the past I used to subscribe to fear being projected by news on TV. But I discovered that watching news had a much more negative effect on me than reading news, so I switched to reading news online. And I’ve become both calmer and happier person.
I don’t read news every day, though. I usually check them out occasionally if I become aware of some important events. In such circumstances, I may analyze multiple media streams to understand the issues. In general, I am aware of trends and important events but I am largely ignorant about other details. It doesn’t bother me because I choose to focus on empowering aspect of life.
On the other hand, there is information I look for and analyze on regular basis such as important changes in how the country is being led, scientific discoveries, practices of healthy living, etc. This supports me in making better choices in my life.
Thank you, Ela. 🙂
The type of news I meant was also the first group, the usually negative type of information.
I definitely agree. What you place your attention on makes a huge impact on your energetic body and emotions, so you have to filter that like your life depended on it! 🙂
Love
Andrew
Thanks for this! I’ve not watched or read the news for years. Oh, I may get some of it for a few minutes if something of real interest is going on. Get what is important and then leave alone what you term the ‘fear-based’. I used to receive an email of the ‘Good-News’, from around the world. It was great, put out by one individual and it covered just what it said; good things which were happening upon our planet. But it stopped many years ago and I haven’t found anything to replace it. So I just enjoy nature. Do check up on the weather, does that count? 😉
Leigha
Hi Leigha! I also almost religiously check up on the weather, so just let’s say it doesn’t count. 😉
A few weeks ago I stumbled upon this site: http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/ – maybe it’s similar to your old one. 🙂
Thank you for a great post – I really enjoyed it. One of the most unconventional ways for mind relaxation is barefoot walking. When I heard of it, it sounded strange, but after trying it, I was amazed. You have to look out for sharp rocks and thorns. As your mind is focused on walking, it is totally clear from any other negative thoughts. In addition, barefoot walking is also like a free foot massage. This is really one of the things I dear to suggest to people who need some relief from negative thoughts.
Best Regards
Mary