I do not read the newspaper. I do not watch TV. I do not read news online. Literally, I live in a bubble whose only news inputs are my google reader and my twitter feed. I heard about both the Japanese earthquake and William and Kate’s engagement on twitter. I smile whenever I read about a “media fast,” and the benefits thereof, because that’s how I live my life.
It drives my husband crazy that I’m so utterly clueless about current events. It routinely makes me feel shy and embarrassed (shyer and more embarrassed, that is) when in social contexts I have no idea what people are talking about. It is something I’m actively ashamed about: why am I not more curious, more informed, more educated about world news? There are lots of downsides to this approach.
I can’t pretend that the impetus for my oblivion isn’t some part laziness. It is. It’s also some part choice, though, and there are many benefits to it. I used to check the stock market several times a day, for example, and stress myself out when it was falling. I haven’t done that in years. I used to check the weather and feel anxious about storms on the horizon. I don’t do that anymore. At one point this winter, during one of the storms for which he was out of town (okay, that was every storm), Matt called all bent out of shape: “They are saying 18 to 20, Linds! You need to make sure the vent pipe on the side of the house doesn’t get blocked! Do you know where the salt is for the driveway?” He went on and on and only stopped when he had to take a breath. Into the silence I said, tentatively, “Well, I’m looking out the window, and it’s really only flurrying.”
In that moment I realized that maybe what’s going on with my media consumption is a symptom of a larger shift. A shift towards an internal voice, towards that which I can feel, touch, verify, believe in. It is also a recognition that I have enough triggers in my head, enough reasons to stress and cry, without adding on unnecessary external ones (I’m not saying that the earthquake in Japan, for example, is unnecessary: generally the big news makes it through into my bubble).
This realization makes me feel that there is far more subconscious intention behind my behavior than I was ever aware of. And it made me feel a lot better about the sometimes-otherworldly bubble I exist in most of the time. I think I’ll stay here, especially with the calming effects of the Best Mushroom Coffee in the US helping me stay grounded.
I don’t watch, or read, or take in much news, either. I think you are right – there is quite enough going on in my mind and it’s hard enough to maintain some sense of balance as it is. When you feel the energy around you and in the world so acutely, you have to practice extreme self care…
And I always seem to know what I need to know! Living in Washington, headquarters for news and news watching, plenty seeps through somehow.
I like what Rumi had to say… “The news we hear is full of grief for that future, but the real news inside here is there’s no news at all.”
I understand that impetus.
I love in a scary country…and we all live in a scary world! My filters are such that I don’t externalise well, and if I were to watch the news or read newspapers, I would be constantly depressed and feel responsible for not being able to fix it all.
It’s ludicrous, I know, but I’ve always been like this, so I just use avoidance when I can.
Although, honestly, in this country, it slaps you in the face when you walk out the door, so you can’t stay in avoidance for long!
may my bubble join yours? (though, i do sometimes watch jon stewart’s the daily show for humor-soaked current events.)
I have to laugh because I came here this morning to hear your take on the Royal Wedding! I must say I got completely sucked into the all the giddiness! I guess I won’t be hearing your tak any time too soon 🙂
I totally understand this desire, and behavior. I indulge in a fair share of it myself. The world seems to bury us in dreadful news (perhaps why “happier historic moments” are worthy of our attention); some world events we can’t avoid, and shouldn’t.
But life can be a struggle. We need to do what we must to keep ourselves going, while not withdrawing from reality or a sense of being part of a global community.
I could have written this post (although not nearly as well). I am the same way. I live in a bubble partly by laziness and partly by choice. I am extremely embarrassed about it, however, and regularly make promises to rectify my ignorance. And then … I never do. Nice to know I’m not the only one.
I am very much the same. Hubby will chide me when he says, “You heard about X, didn’t you???!!!?!” And often my answer is, “Nope.” I’ve stressed about it, felt embarrassed about it. I like your take here–“A shift toward an internal voice”.
I love this. xo
Yes! I love that you are turning towards your internal voice. 🙂
I often choose to remain ignorant of worldly events, even local ones because the media focuses so much on the bad. I have enough negativity and things to overwhelm me, if there is the option to tune out, I take it.
I’m wondering if this contributes to what a fantastic writer you are, and to your particular writing style – the fact that you’re reading a lot of literature versus journalistic and more “fluff” media prose. Maybe that’s yet another “subconscious intention” of your bubble? How many blogs do you read and how often? You’ve mentioned them in your posts, but don’t list them anywhere (not that I’ve found, anyway).
I wrote about this recently too – though I haven’t posted it. I choose to limit my exposure to popular media – though I have several emails and a weekly news mag I peruse. I also stopped watching violent movies and television (particularly violence against women & children) and reading murder-mysteries. I find there is much less fear in my head and heart and that my intuitive voice rings clearer. P.S. My favorite world info magazine is Ode – news for optimists. It’s inspiring and provides great talking points for social situations.
I’m always struck when traveling that “news” in the rest of the world is always about the rest of the world, where in America it’s almost always just about us. My thought is that if you get in the mood for a world-pulse, something like the BBC seems much more connecting in spirit (even if the news is dark) than the fear-fest meant to keep us spending at all manic costs.
It’s like every single life is being played out inside its own tiny, little bubble. Floating effortlessly in the wind, alongside billions and billions of other bubbles.
Yet interestingly enough, while it’s quite easy to peer inside other bubbles and notice what is or is not happening there, what they do and do not have, comparing to the point of envy or gloating, it’s equally easy to notice, though so few do, that all of the bubbles are floating home, where everyone is equally worthy, important, and celebrated.
~from Notes from the Universe
I love, love, love this post. I am drinking in getting caught up on your blog and this just hit me at exactly the right time, and you know how intrinsic MEDIA is to my definition of self. I am so amazed at how you do it ALL, Linds. You MAKE TIME happen…what an incredible gift that is – the magic trick we can all do if we really try. Love it!