Things continue to ramp up. The attention-grabbing-to-exhaustion design of U.S. politics right now is working as planned.
The record-breaking demonstrations, as powerful as they were in buoying our spirits and making solidarity visible, are so last weekend.
There are more worries daily that push the positive to the periphery. (Again: the plan.)
And this is how it will be.
We will continue to be bombarded by information that is upsetting.
That´s why it is more important than ever that we monitor our habits to ensure that they nurture rather than agitate us.
We are comfort-seeking creatures.
But when we are distressed about things we cannot control, we are more likely to seek information as a way to soothe through understanding.
The problem: it usually makes us feel worse.
What used to be our go-to comfort activities--scrolling mindlessly through TikTok or Instagram videos, listening to a podcast, watching Netflix, reading a book--are becoming acts of immersion in the scary stuff.
Getting your news about unsettling current events on a social media platform? Your personal algorithm will pump out more of the same.
Watching a series about dastardly politicians or a dystopian future? Your streaming app spills forth similar options.
Listening to an opinion podcast on the way to work? It may set you up for more doomscrolling during the day.
Laughing at political memes on X or BlueSky? Even the funny ones can fan the flames and spark your anger or fear.
And all this is likely to turn your nighty-night dreams into freaky news reels featuring you-know-who. (It´s a thing.)
When even our entertainment is trending toward crisis, our information-to-inspiration meter gets cranked to the danger zone.
We lose sight of line between what is giving us the information we need to know and what is infiltrating our mental space for imagination and limiting our capacity to cope.
THE GOOD NEWS: our innate distractability can be used as an advantage.
This isn´t about avoiding the news completely. It´s about leveraging our ability to switch before getting sucked in.
And we can train ourselves to pivot toward inspiration using the very same triggers that turn our attention toward seeking comfort.
The key is to NOTICE when we naturally shift away from our morning (or afternoon or evening) news to something else.
Instead of turning to news-adjacent activities (like checking social media that may be filled with related opinions), we can make a stealthy, healthy switch.
Example: after readingThe New York Times (or whatever), instead of clicking on links related to additional articles related to the headlines or checking to see what The Guardian (for example) says on the same topic,
STOP.
SWITCH.
Your mission: to disrupt despair before it sinks its teeth into your day/night.
After any news, take 10 minutes to write in your journal, read poetry, meditate, step outside to gaze around you, do some squats, or whip up a nutritious snack.
Instead of checking your socials or email, pick a couple of favorite songs and dance around your kitchen.
Rather than spending your commute scrolling through your news feed, listen to music or stand-up comedy, or call a friend.
Instead of an after-dinner news broadcast rehashing the day, go for a walk in your neighborhood. Stop and (literally) smell the roses.
You get the idea.
Pay attention to the natural transitions in your day, the in-between times, and pack them with the good stuff.
Wait. Shouldn´t we do everything we can to be informed during this wild time?
We need to ask ourselves this: how informed is enough?
Our need to news-gorge ourselves is isolating.
It is making us vulnerable to burnout, anxiety, and depression.
It is keeping us from tapping into our creativity or reaching out to others for meaningful news-free connection.
And that´s all part of the political plan.
Feeding your head? Good.
Feeding your whole self? Way better.
Choosing inspiration over information is an act of resistance.
Select your downtime and distract-me options wisely.
Give yourself permission to opt out of the extra.
Let go of the need to seek out additional sources that you hope will offer clarity but are more likely to add heaviness.
Stop absorbing opinions about what may happen next.
Conjecture is a waste of your precious energy.
Focus on creation, care, and connection instead.
Here´s the simple formula to make the shift:
-
recognize overload
-
disrupt despair
-
repeat
PROMPT:
Create a tantalizing menu of news alternatives - activities you enjoy that involve creating or engaging in something that makes you joyfully aware of the beauty of life.
Post it where you can see it.
Slot one in during those transition times between tasks, especially directly following any news intake.
And keep asking: ¨Is this info…or inspiration?¨
Maya Frost is a creative disruptor, imaginative futurist, and adaptation activist. She helps collapse-aware people turn their despairalysis into enlivened action...in 30 days. Learn more here