Ever found yourself trapped in the endless loop of doom-scrolling, even after vowing to cut back? I recently embarked on a mission to adopt a “low-information diet,” aiming to reduce my news intake and reclaim my peace of mind. Spoiler alert: it didn’t go as planned.
It all began when I stumbled upon a thought-provoking video by Matt D’Avella, where he discussed how constant news exposure can heighten baseline anxiety- I wouldn’t call myself anxious, but it didn’t seem like a healthy habit to continue.
For the people in the past, staying informed meant purchasing a newspaper that remained unchanged throughout the day. Television introduced breaking news segments, but one still had to be actively watching to receive updates. Fast forward to today, and our digital platforms, initially designed for creativity and connection, are inundated with news clips, reactions, and commentary. The boundaries between staying informed, being entertained and being overwhelmed have all blurred.
This pervasive influx of information led me to question the true value of being perpetually updated. While being informed is essential, does knowing every tragic event across the globe in real-time serve us, or does it merely amplify our anxieties? Continuous exposure to unfolding tragedies, especially those beyond our control, can indeed elevate stress levels and foster a sense of helplessness.
So, I decided to go cold-turkey and limit my media consumption. However, I quickly encountered the formidable force of habitual behavior. Any moment of idleness saw me instinctively reaching for my phone, cycling through the same few news sites, social media feeds, and entertainment platforms. It was as if any spare moment needed to be filled with some irrelevant update that was seemingly “newsworthy”.
I began to think back to before the internet and smartphone revolution- what exactly did we all do when there was a bit of time with nothing clearly to do and no firehose of distractions an arm reach away? Delving into the past, several enriching activities emerged according to my reasearch (read: Googling):
- Outdoor Adventures: People frequently engaged in activities like riding bikes, exploring nature, visiting the beach, and participating in sports. I personally was a big fan of going on long walks
- Creative Pursuits: Time was devoted to reading, writing, crafting, and playing musical instruments, fostering creativity and personal growth. I was far less artistic and more nerdy, learning HTML and coding.
- Social Interactions: Gathering with friends and family was central, whether it was hanging out, going to the movies, or attending social events. This was basically my school years. Though the internet was available, it was in the dial-up era so riding to a friend’s house was the optimal option.
- Simple Pleasures: Activities like driving around town, listening to the radio, and playing board games were common ways to unwind and connect.
I thought back to the last time I TRULY disconnected for a long stretch of time and it must’ve been at the end of medical school. During a trip to Nepal, the frequent power outages and lack of connectivity meant that we just sat around by candlelight and played cards and chatted with friends. I used to think it was because it was a simpler time. Now I’m beginning to realise maybe it was because of the ability to disconnect…