Recently I asked myself why I'm not as interested in the news like millions of other people around the world - specifically in this country. My own husband routinely watches CNN every morning. Logically it makes sense to be "in the know," but nothing really pulls me toward the news these days. I'm not one of those people who choose to live under a rock, but I'm also not tuned into TV, apps or websites for news updates.
In my unpacking these thoughts it became clear that I've slowed down my news consumption over the last 2-3 years because I've seen some of the most egregiously violent news in my lifetime thus far. From police shootings to mass shootings to natural disasters.
When I was pregnant with my oldest daughter (who is now 2 years old), I purposefully stayed away from the news because I knew it made me very sad and that sadness could negatively affect my incubating my daughter. But honestly, pregnant or not, when I hear about violence or injustices I carry that news with me. It's a weight I'm not usually prepared to carry and most times I don't consciously feel it. The "weight" could show up as an unfounded despondency that force people to ask "are you ok?" or restlessness when I usually have ease and focus.
It took a while for me to figure that out, but I'm glad I eventually discovered what was happening because I figured out how to rectify it. I had/have news fatigue (that's a thing, right?!).
Now, with the news, I'm intentional about my consumption. I pick my spots and trusted sources. I avoid Internet rabbit holes as much as possible. I've also implemented methods to dump whatever things I may be carrying. I do this by writing, exercising, sewing, meditating, and/or all things #RadicalSelfLove. My phone notifications have even been curated to maximize my joy, my peace, my sanity. This works for me. I no longer feel like I'm at the whim of a horrible news story changing the course of my day.
Have you experienced news fatigue? What do you do about it?
