You know the feeling. If you see one more all red, all caps “Breaking News” flash, you’re gonna blow. There’s too much coming at us too often and it’s happening all the time. Where before there would be an interesting story once or twice a month, now they’re coming once or twice a day, sometimes more. Here are 4 signs you’re on cable news overload and what to do…
You’ve become a news junkie – Ahh… the good old days when I watched the news at my own discretion. Not anymore. The world has become a soap opera with more plot twists than Game of Thrones. I can’t turn away. Beyond that, I read 10 times as many publications – The New York Times, Guardian, HuffPost, Washington Post, Vox, Medium, Mad Magazine, the Farmer’s Almanac…anything and everything to stay caught up.
I read Op-Eds by the buckets – for understanding, commiseration, and sometimes a laugh. There’s nothing better than a writer who hits that sweet spot – saying all the right things at the right moment.
You’re glad you’re not a journalist – There must be triage units by now set up in broadcast centers. I picture reporters laying on gurneys with oxygen masks, taking deep breaths. As a small-town reporter, I learned you have to know about issues before you can report on them (for me, town septic systems and school building codes).
I can’t imagine having to decipher this daily torrent of international stories — Russian connections, nuclear war, hurricanes, terror attacks, senate hearings, elections, racial tension, marches, and protests. Some of them all on the same day… at the same time! It’s exhausting to listen to. I can’t imagine having to make it all understandable.
You wake up worrying – I’ve always been skittish in the mornings. These days, I find myself checking the news as soon as I get up. Is the world still spinning? Can I get breakfast or am I going to open my door to some nuclear winter that happened while I slumbered?
The strange thing is that many times something big did happen. Another tweet feud is brewing. Some world leader is majorly pissed at another. Yet another senseless bombing or shooting or stabbing or hammering took place. Half the time, I want to pull the covers back over my head.
You compare this news to your childhood news – I grew up during Vietnam, which was no garden party. But it feels different today. I don’t remember so much hatred – between races, religions, genders, and regions. It seems to be escalating. We need a red Easy Button to push and make everyone calm down.
I see how my children and grandchildren will grow up in a more volatile, unpredictable world. Yes, the 60’s were scary with their nightly military death toll, race riots, and political assassinations. But children today see this (and sometimes far worse) broadcast daily. I worry for them.
In the meantime… what do we do? How can we escape the constant litany of problems we can’t solve and events we have no control over?
Guess what? I found it. The solution was right outside my door, right before my eyes. I only had to look away from my television, computer, or cell phone for a few moments.
Yes…I found the answer in my back yard.
I found it in the eternal world, otherwise known as nature.
I feel this realm when I see a beautiful blue sky, or hear the wind, or run my hand along the rough bark of some old tree. I see it in insects, or the lush greenery of Connecticut. I see it when a red cardinal flutters by or fall leaves are at their most gorgeous or hear the lazy summer hum of a bumblebee.
Corny? Maybe. But this world was here long before us and will be here long after we’re gone.
Nature is indifferent, which I find strangely soothing. Generations from now all these urgent issues will be in history books – no doubt, many as cautionary tales. Others will be forgotten.
Somehow we’ll survive. It won’t be easy. But we’ll make it, as generations have before. And generations will after us.
Ahh… I think, taking another breath of fresh air. Thank you, Mother Nature for helping me turn away from yet another, urgent “Breaking News” story.
I needed that.
How do you escape the constant barrage? Comments are always welcome and if you like, please share. Thank you!
Jennifer
I barely watch the news. I can’t stand all the negatively slanted stories. Just having one good news segment that’s only 2 minutes is quite depressing. I try to find different places to get news and even like to read online newspapers from other countries to get their perspective.
Laurie Stone
Jennifer, Yes, the news is really hard to take these days. Sounds like you have a good system.
Lauren
I have finally turned it off and have even stuffed buying the paper! It has been life changing. I still know what’s going on because I glance online for about 15 minutes a day. That’s enough for me. Wish I could get my husband to do the same, but he also alerts me to stuff I might have missed.
Laurie Stone
Lauren, I think that’s smart. I’m trying to wean myself away as well.
Rena
I really have to limit myself these days. I get so angry that some people seem to get away with anything! As a country, we have lost our moral compass and I don’t know if we will ever get it back.
Laurie Stone
Rena, I so agree. Its easier (and probably healthier) not to fill our heads with this everyday.
Sandra
I quit television all together several years and don’t miss it one bit! The news can be incredibly depressing and anxiety-provoking for many people. I believe it needs to be taken in small doses, if at all!
Laurie Stone
Sandra, I aspire to be more like you. Small doses seem the only way. The news is way too depressing and anxiety-provoking, as you said. Totally agree.
Janet Givens
I stopped watching TV news many years ago now, right around the time Fox showed up. They all seemed to be vying to entertain rather than inform. I follow print media, a wide swath, and have expanded into magazines again: Vanity Fair especially. It’s too easy to get caught up in the frenzy of daily tweet storms. No thank you.
But then I live on 30 acres so there is always something nature can teach me. Thanks for the reminder.
Laurie Stone
Janet, Thirty acres sounds wonderful. Yes, you can lose yourself in that. You’re right about the daily tweetstorms. It all gets too much.
Shari
This is a huge problem. I can get sucked into the news cycle and lose my entire day. Good advice to simply take a step back and focus on more timeless things like the outdoors.
Laurie Stone
Thanks, Shari. More and more, we all need to take a deep breath and go into nature.
Danna Hobart
I have definitely been watching too much news since the 2016 election. And it is enough to infuriate you. I have stopped checking CNN just the past few days, and I feel a lot better. Thank you for posting this.
Laurie Stone
Danna, I’ve also been a CNN addict, but more and more, I try and stay away. Sometimes the national soap opera is too fascinating, but it can also be very depressing.
Candi Randolph
I get news alerts on my phone, and some days it seems like there is nothing but bad news. On one hand, I want to know what’s going on in the world, but on the other hand, it can be overwhelming. For me, my faith in the Lord keeps me grounded and prevents me from worrying about what’s going to happen tomorrow.
Laurie Stone
Candi, That’s lovely that you have that faith. I go back and forth, although I find staying away from the news for long stretches helps me to feel more hopeful.
Emily Gaffney
I watch very little news now because of you-know-who. But I do read “The Week” as it offers a little of everything and everyone… Each article encompasses snippets of other journals and periodicals. Plus, it’s got the best crossword puzzle around.
Laurie Stone
Emily, Laughing over “you-know-who” even though he makes me also want to cry. Will have to check into “The Week.”
Carla
I was so good for so long and didn’t watch. I have fallen back into old habits and needed to see this today.
Laurie Stone
Carla, I also go back and forth. Right now I’m in a “can’t look” mode. But that will change when something big happens…again. Sigh.
Diane
I’d take ‘corny’ and beautiful over ‘real’ and ugly any day! Great advice!
Laurie Stone
Diane, So very true.
Mary Rogers
I can so relate to this! Some days I fear that I’m becoming the cranky old woman on the porch shaking my fist at the world. Breathe, breathe.
Laurie Stone
Mary, Laughing. I also feel like the cranky old woman!
Rebecca Forstadt Olkowski
OMG! I am all of the above. I remember being addicted to Dallas and Falcon Crest but this soap opera makes that look tame. I walk and then am in nature in the morning. It’s so soothing to my soul. Then, I don’t turn the TV on until the afternoon. It used to be after 6 but now I can’t wait to see the latest disaster. Comedians are going on burn out and I can’t even imagine the newscasters. Hope it ends sooner than later. And thank you Bama!
Laurie Stone
Rebecca, I think we’re all getting “disaster fatigue.” Unfortunately I don’t think its going to end anytime soon.
Judy Freedman
I know I’m a news junkie too. At least today’s news about Alabama was good news.
Laurie Stone
Judy, All I can say is God Bless Alabama. We were all glued to the tv (of course) last night.
Lisa Ricard Claro
I’ve all but given up the news. It took forever to visit multiple sites just to be sure I was getting the whole and true story. *sigh* I skim to pick up the main bits, ignore the sensational stuff, seek out the positive, AND spend a lot of time at the beach. 🙂
Laurie Stone
Lisa, I think you’re on to something with the beach. Can the rest of us come with you?
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Laurie Stone
Something to think about, thank you!
shelley
Laurie, I really relate to this! I’m including it in a roundup post I’m publishing on my site later today. You’ve described perfectly a lot of the symptoms I’ve experienced the past few months.
Laurie Stone
Shelley, Thanks so much! I’m flattered and will look for it.
b+ (Retire in Style Blog)
I have been watching baseball…which is more like watching paint dry. Much better that watching Trump setting the world on fire!
Laurie Stone
Baseball would be a great refuge and I know many who love it. I agree, anything is better than watching our world go mad.
Jennifer Dunham
Starting your day off with the news can definitely set a negative tone for your entire day. Who can deny the cheerful sounds of natural is a great way to start.
Laurie Stone
Jennifer, I read novels in the morning (which can have their own brand of crazy-making). But at least its not a barrage of unsolvable problems. Glad you agree about the nature theory!
Diane
Brilliant solution! And one that everyone, regardless of socio-economic status can access. Immerse yourself in nature. It’s totally free.
And so peaceful!
Laurie Stone
Diane, I love the stillness of nature. I find that soothing. Glad you agree.
The Hellion
I don’t ever watch the news anymore. Its not like the old days with Walter! I can pick and choose what news I want to click on…on FB. My local news to see what is going on around my area and thats it. I was getting too upset about things I have no control over..and nature and walks are better than news.
Laurie Stone
I agree, Hellion. I also get upset over things I can’t control. The things I can control get me crazy enough, so why watch the others? Glad you agree about nature.
Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond
We are actually addicted to the news channel I think Laurie and sometimes I wonder why I’m even watching it. I rather like your idea of watching nature – much healthier and appealing. To me the news is so negative and appears to be one sided these days especially about politics. Living in Australia I used to think our reporters were very fair in their views but not these days unfortunately. It is becoming more difficult to have a calm debate on issues.
Laurie Stone
Sue, I think of Australia as one of those cool places to live, even politically. Oh well. Maybe there’s no such country. We’ll commiserate together.
Leanne | crestingthehill
I don’t watch the TV news any more – it just drags me down and reminds me of how out of control our world is. I get snippets off what’s trending on the side of Facebook and have a quick read if I really want to – otherwise I’ll stay in my bubble of avoidance!
Laurie Stone
Leanne, I think that’s very smart. You’re right about having no control and that’s what’s hardest about watching. Meanwhile, there’s a beautiful, natural world out there to escape to. It brings me peace.
candidkay
Oh yes. I am not a news junkie. Probably the opposite. Could be in better touch with what’s going on. But, I can’t stand the constant focus on all that is wrong–nothing that is right. When my sister comes to visit, she insists on watching morning and evening news. And it shows in her disposition:).
Laurie Stone
Kristine, I’m trying to stay away more. It never ends and does make us more fearful. Never good!
Haralee
Good Advise! I think I am coming under the cloud or news fatigue. It is getting more difficult for me to become outraged or even care. Time to stop watching for sure.
Laurie Stone
Haralee, I think that’s another symptom of news fatigue — you stop caring as much. After a while, it all becomes overwhelming. Good point.
Brenda
I definitely get fixated on the news stories. I sometimes have several twitter feeds open, and the news either streaming live on the internet, or watching it on tv. It’s a good idea to just stop and look outside and enjoy what God made for awhile instead.
Laurie Stone
Brenda, For me, nature puts everything in perspective. It shows that life goes on, no matter what happens in our human world.
Lynne
Good post! As a journalist, it caused some withdrawal symptoms when we cut the cable cord. But I find myself much less stressed by having less access to the news.
Laurie Stone
Lynne, That’s a great idea, just to have less access. Its too easy to be pulled into the abyss!
shelley
Oh my – I have definitely been on overload lately! I’ve watched more news the last six months than in the last six years! In fact, hubby and I don’t even watch as many movies as we used to because the news is like one big soap opera. Sometimes I have to just turn it off and walk away – but it’s hard because it’s riveting.
Laurie Stone
Shelley, So true! My husband and I watch CNN together, something we never used to do. I wasn’t that interested in cable news… until now. Sigh.
jena c. henry
Good post. I’m a big basketball fan so right now I’m in the throes of the NBA finals. That’s keeping me distracted for now. And I also tell myself that God’s in charge.
Laurie Stone
Jena, Great idea. I may take up basketball just to keep myself from constantly checking in!