Being Media Mindful
In 2018, I went three months without watching the news on TV. I couldn’t bear to watch it. Having recently left my corporate career behind, I was facing an ongoing battle with fear about my next steps, how it was all going to work, and generally a high degree of uncertainty. The last thing I needed at that time was, what I perceived to be negativity every time that I tuned in. And I loved not being hooked on the news. Of course, there were moments when I felt a little on edge in social surroundings – unable to join in as much as I would have liked to, on the latest in current affairs and politics. On reflection this was probably more about my people pleasing tendencies than anything else. I still knew what was going on, because you can’t avoid hearing about things or seeing a headline or two when you’re standing in the check-out queue at the supermarket.
Since then I’ve been experimenting with my media relationship. At times, I’ve definitely gone back to being “all-in“, but like others in the population, I also got sick to the back teeth of hearing the same old thing during the Brexit campaign. I stopped listening to a specific radio station, because I was waking up to doom and gloom every morning (delivered in a very un-inspiring monotone). Or worse, an interview where the presenter wasn’t actually listening to what the other person (usually an expert) had to say, and was angrily peppering them with inflammatory statements. I know that this kind of thing can really impact my mindset. I know that what I consume can have an impact on how I feel. So, I make choices as a result and try to be mindful about what I’m consuming. I’m not advocating that everyone needs to stop watching the news (reality check). But, I think that we ALL have a responsibility to consider what we consume and the impact it can have, not only on ourselves but on those around us - Brexit, Caroline Flack and Harry & Megan all being recent instances where the media has played a significant role. And now, Covid-19.
How do we become more mindful about our media consumption? Here are some ideas:
- What do you need to know? Especially in relation to Covid-19, we’re being bombarded with different sources of information. It’s really easy to get pulled in (been there), and watch endless reports, interviews and updates. But is this really necessary? Surely better to take the facts we need to be informed, and then leave the rest, especially if it’s going to make you feel anxious, scared or even terrified.
- And talking of facts, consider the media source you’re consuming and whether it might have a particular slant on things or tendency to sensationalise.
- Think about how something makes you feel. If you’re following a thread on social media that makes you feel heavy – then unfollow. This also goes for all those inspirational fitness accounts. If they really inspire you – great, but if they make you feel bad, get rid.
- Switch off the push notifications on your phone, that way you can decide when you want to log-in to the news. This also applies to social media updates, e-mail or anything else you find an unwelcome distraction.
- Gladiator and Roman Emperor, Marcus Aurelius said, “There is never any need to get worked up or to trouble your soul about things you can’t control. These things are not asking to be judged by you. Leave them alone.” We can’t control our external environment, but we can control how we react to it, what we read and listen to.
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Thanks for reading.