For most of my adult life I was a new junkie. Spent a lot of time watching CNN and other new shows, but was eventually disappointed with the lack of depth inherent in the television news format. So I started reading news on the CBC and BBC websites, and later Google News Canada, as my primary news sources. My appetite reached the point where I was squandering two or more hours per day on the news. There had to be more constructive things to do with my time than consume information of dubious value out of sheer boredom.
Several times I tried weaning myself from my habit, but kept going back for a fix. Finally went cold turkey six months ago and haven’t looked back. Although I have eliminated news media from my life I manage to stay sufficiently informed through other sources such as conversations with family, friends and co-workers.
What have I gained? Sanity, for one. By no longer exposing myself to the negative viewpoints rampant in mainstream news outlets I feel much more relaxed and less anxious overall. Have also gained a couple of hours per day which is put to much more constructive use like longer meditation sessions and writing. The trick, for me, was to turn away from consumption and toward more worthwhile activities.
February 21, 2009, 12:00am Link
