Seems radical, doesn’t it?
When I was in college, one of my roommates never watched the news. She said it was too stressful and interfered with her sleep. That just didn’t make sense to me 30 years ago. How could you go about your life without knowing “what was going on? ” I couldn’t imagine myself being that ill informed. It makes sense now, though.
I started this blog in an effort to reduce the cynicism in my life. I realized it was a downward drag on my life, and made me a bad influence on those around me. During the 2012 election, the cynical, lying ads from all sides of the political spectrum made me sick. So I decided that I was going on a journey – away from cynicism.
One way to combat cynicism is to control what goes into your mind. So, I stopped watching all cable TV news (which is generally an advertisement for one side or the other). Now when I turn on Fox News or CNN, I feel assaulted by either the whining or the shouting and turn it off after five minutes. Ugh. I still watch the local news, especially in the morning when it is “lighter.”
My friend posted a blog about giving up all news for the summer – a sabbatical from the news, so to speak – http://trinkaj.blogspot.com/2014/05/a-news-free-summer.html.
Could I do it? Could you?
I am thinking about following my friend’s lead.
Sowing Mercy 
And enjoying some peace and quiet in my own head. 🙂
Thanks for your encouragement. Peace. Yes. That’s what I’d like. It’s been transient for a few years now, and I’d like to find it a more regular presence in my life.
I think I hear enough news on the radio (WCSG or other music station).
Great idea! I’ve really backed off on Facebook for similar reasons, but there are times in life to back off the news too. When my children were under a year old I had a no-news policy because I would get too upset. Also felt pretty disgusted with the whole lot after the last election and have cut back on watching news shows because of that.
We know things are happening out there. But so much of “news” is manufactured outrage. I am not taking the bait anymore. I just ignore the facebook posts that try to get me riled up….or hide them.
What a great way to say it… “manufactured outrage”. I really appreciate your perspective.
No news isn’t necessarily good news, but since I’ve been off Facebook and hardly watch T.V. At all, I feel more focused. In our big family there is enough “news” to make up for the network spinning heads. Local morning news seems to cover a balance of good and bad main stories. Peace.
I don’t know if I could swear off it completely (I like to read the paper). I do know that I feel refreshed when I go away for weekend and there is no news. Only fellowship, chick flicks, and quilting. Not sure what is doing the refreshing. My husband will call me to let me know if anything important is happening. Fox News is good enough for me in the morning. I do want to know the weather. Radio news at the top of the hour (five minute segments) is good, too.
I’m thankful for news on the internet, where I can pick and choose what to read or watch (and definitely turn off any whiners). The talking heads make me crazy. We simply want the news…not all the drama and self-aggrandizing. Thanks for the post and the one you linked to as well. I enjoyed knowing I’m not alone.
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