I was thinking the same thing today…what if you just stepped away from the news for like a month?….Complete blackout. It would be interesting to see what effect it could have on your mental health.
When I was in high school I did a 6 week long wilderness camp. We were out in the woods and away from civilization for a full month. One takeaway….if a teenage girl doesn’t have access to a mirror then the near constant self analysis and critique quiets. The voices were almost silent. I became acutely aware of the present nature of my contributions to the group and situations and not my outward appearance. It was enlightening.
I feel the same way about my wrinkles these days. If I just don’t stare at them then they sort of go away. They lose their power over my thoughts. I feel free.
The news is bad. The algorithm is fucked. Try to step away. It’s not serving you at this time.
Just for the record, I am in no way equating what is happening in the world to my face wrinkles.
The rage and lack of control and exhaustion that we all feel is real and valid. What we do have control over, however, is the quantity of breaking news and hostile imagery online the algorithm is feeding us. I just feel that if it is having a negative impact on our mental health and not serving us, we can choose to conserve our energy to fight another day. Choose to not let it have power over you but rather you have power over it.
I was thinking the same thing today…what if you just stepped away from the news for like a month?….Complete blackout. It would be interesting to see what effect it could have on your mental health.
Whoa! A month? I can barely go an hour.
That said, it's worth contemplating and seeing if it might be workable. I'm gonna have to think this one through!
Got any advice?
When I was in high school I did a 6 week long wilderness camp. We were out in the woods and away from civilization for a full month. One takeaway….if a teenage girl doesn’t have access to a mirror then the near constant self analysis and critique quiets. The voices were almost silent. I became acutely aware of the present nature of my contributions to the group and situations and not my outward appearance. It was enlightening.
I feel the same way about my wrinkles these days. If I just don’t stare at them then they sort of go away. They lose their power over my thoughts. I feel free.
The news is bad. The algorithm is fucked. Try to step away. It’s not serving you at this time.
Just for the record, I am in no way equating what is happening in the world to my face wrinkles.
The rage and lack of control and exhaustion that we all feel is real and valid. What we do have control over, however, is the quantity of breaking news and hostile imagery online the algorithm is feeding us. I just feel that if it is having a negative impact on our mental health and not serving us, we can choose to conserve our energy to fight another day. Choose to not let it have power over you but rather you have power over it.
I'm so happy to get these notes from you. You have no idea. Thank you.
Yes, please!! For your sanity and ours. It’s ok to enjoy our rainy day.