Yes! I increasingly think that the calm and perspective we gain from a moderated intake of news (and just content broadly) is the single most important first step to take in being part of the resistance. I'm currently reading Nexus by Yuval Noah Harari and he makes the point that organisms (including us humans) cannot exist in a constant state of excitement. They collapse and die. Not only is tuning out not a moral failing, it is a critical component of self-preservation!
Love this insight. My job deals with monitoring news/working with media, and I have found myself going down the rabbit hole of comments and hatred, etc. and it's miserable. I have had to shut off the news, step away from my phone and just try to shake it off. Easier said than done but once I can garden (still too early in the Midwest) and play in the dirt all will be well!
I think it's so fun you've started a garden! Don't forget the manure! Makes the veggies grow like crazy and the tomatoes love it. I don't watch TV, I don't watch the news and Substack is my only social outlet. I get news on here from sources i trust and respect. I don't have the bandwidth for the b.s., if you'll pardon the expression. I watch their zoom chats that often include taking questions from the viewers. I may try zentangle and swear I have a book around here somewhere. If not I'll get another. I love Pigma pens and have a quite a few. I'm knee deep in a couple of really good book studies also with like minded people and find this a good focus point. There is the occasional political barb but that's not our focus. We stick the material and I like that. I have a few friends who have left major broadcasting, most more than a few years ago because of the work climate. Good for you. Life is too short for doing something that kills your soul and doesn't speak to your values and beliefs. Go fertilize and conquer!
Thank you, Katie. This is such an important post, and it’s relatable on so many levels. I needed this today (and I’m glad I now know the meaning of zentangle)!
I, too, have changed HOW I consume the news. All so I can continue to be engaged and informed, and *stay that way* (rather than drowning entirely in overwhelm and despair). It's an ethical responsibility.
But I really just wanted to celebrate your garden and the Jimmy Carter articles blessing it! I know you've shared that you've previously done work for the Carter Center, and so it's personal for you. For me, in my adult years, I've been so deeply inspired by both their marriage and their commitment to their small and simple life. It's what I aspire to.
Thank you for this! Regarding "Read the news, not reactions to it," I have been waiting a few days after news breaks to read a longer-form article that makes more useful meaning of what happened.
For example, I read the NYT's investigative piece with the full story on Musk's DOGE takeover, rather than trying to keep up with the firehose of DOGE-related stories throughout each day. It feels more productive and less stressful. I let the dust settle and then read the more analytical, contextualized articles that point to the systemic issues at play and potential areas for action on my part.
Yes! I increasingly think that the calm and perspective we gain from a moderated intake of news (and just content broadly) is the single most important first step to take in being part of the resistance. I'm currently reading Nexus by Yuval Noah Harari and he makes the point that organisms (including us humans) cannot exist in a constant state of excitement. They collapse and die. Not only is tuning out not a moral failing, it is a critical component of self-preservation!
Love this insight. My job deals with monitoring news/working with media, and I have found myself going down the rabbit hole of comments and hatred, etc. and it's miserable. I have had to shut off the news, step away from my phone and just try to shake it off. Easier said than done but once I can garden (still too early in the Midwest) and play in the dirt all will be well!
I needed this so much today.
I think it's so fun you've started a garden! Don't forget the manure! Makes the veggies grow like crazy and the tomatoes love it. I don't watch TV, I don't watch the news and Substack is my only social outlet. I get news on here from sources i trust and respect. I don't have the bandwidth for the b.s., if you'll pardon the expression. I watch their zoom chats that often include taking questions from the viewers. I may try zentangle and swear I have a book around here somewhere. If not I'll get another. I love Pigma pens and have a quite a few. I'm knee deep in a couple of really good book studies also with like minded people and find this a good focus point. There is the occasional political barb but that's not our focus. We stick the material and I like that. I have a few friends who have left major broadcasting, most more than a few years ago because of the work climate. Good for you. Life is too short for doing something that kills your soul and doesn't speak to your values and beliefs. Go fertilize and conquer!
Thank you, Katie. This is such an important post, and it’s relatable on so many levels. I needed this today (and I’m glad I now know the meaning of zentangle)!
I, too, have changed HOW I consume the news. All so I can continue to be engaged and informed, and *stay that way* (rather than drowning entirely in overwhelm and despair). It's an ethical responsibility.
But I really just wanted to celebrate your garden and the Jimmy Carter articles blessing it! I know you've shared that you've previously done work for the Carter Center, and so it's personal for you. For me, in my adult years, I've been so deeply inspired by both their marriage and their commitment to their small and simple life. It's what I aspire to.
I've also taken a break from consuming news all the time. I just can't keep up with it.
Thank you for this! Regarding "Read the news, not reactions to it," I have been waiting a few days after news breaks to read a longer-form article that makes more useful meaning of what happened.
For example, I read the NYT's investigative piece with the full story on Musk's DOGE takeover, rather than trying to keep up with the firehose of DOGE-related stories throughout each day. It feels more productive and less stressful. I let the dust settle and then read the more analytical, contextualized articles that point to the systemic issues at play and potential areas for action on my part.