I will fully admit that I'm a news junkie. I need to know what's going on in the world, even when the news is horrible. I'm frankly more troubled by what I don't know than what I do. But there is news and then there is commentary, particularly on social media. And thanks to recent events, a lot of that commentary has turned into hate. As we marked five years since the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history, it's been particularly hurtful to see an increase in antisemitic rhetoric online. So this month I have embraced the ability to curate what I see and to mute or unfollow accounts that are sharing hurtful content. there's a lot of power in controlling your feed, and for me, it means that even as I follow the news, I can also go online to find joy.
Thank you to Carolyn for hosting our monthly link-ups!
Sometimes the best thing to do for your mental health is to step away. Good for you for embracing controlling your feed!
ReplyDeleteI think you have made a wise choice. It is a fine line between being informed and being overloaded.
ReplyDeleteSmart move for sure! I have not watched the news in years (I find it biased and repetitive). Fletch on the other hand watches it a lot...I trust him to keep me informed when I need to be. And I don't do much social media at all (IG for food and that's about it!).
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree more. I too have been appalled by the reaction to these events. Those poor people being held hostage.
ReplyDeleteWhat I don't want to see are the posts where all of the blame is on one side. I think we all know that there is suffering and culpability on both sides, but somehow only one side seems to be getting the most of the blame.
DeleteI agree with you on silencing hurtful voices... I have tried to stand in the gap and to be supportive of those being targeted. Your neighborhood has been much in my thoughts this week...
ReplyDeleteI feel you. So much "leftist discourse" is straight up antisemitic and I have unfollowed several people over the past days. I just can't.
ReplyDeleteIt's so wise of your to curate your online experience right now, keep it up! I hope it doesn't get too you too bad.
I am not a news junkie but my husband is and he keeps me up to date. I try to read the newspaper most days but I haven’t really found a place to get news that doesn’t feel slanted. It is hard to watch and hear about all the antisemitism. I am grateful to have such a diverse group of friends in -person and online to help me stay grounded.
ReplyDeleteI agree that October went by even more quickly than September.
ReplyDeleteThe reasons you wrote about are exactly why I can't be on social media. All of the "hot takes" on every little thing can whip me up into a frenzy and that doesn't help anyone. I'm glad that you're taking care of yourself and narrowing what shows up in your feeds. ❤️
I used to be a news junkie. Now, I find it too disturbing. So I've set up some really clear boundaries for myself about how and when I dip my toe into the news. (Which I do every day -- just very cautiously.) I wish more people would do what you're doing -- and curate. It's a sesspool out there in news-world these days . . .
ReplyDeleteI started extremely curating my social media and news feeds right before the attack and was so grateful that I didn't have to do too much more muting—just staying informed on what's happening is distressing enough
ReplyDeleteI don't understand why anyone thinks posting hurtful content is helpful. I have stayed away from any political comment on IG and tightly regulate the news that I read. It's a balancing act to stay informed but not overwhelmed. Take good care friend and embrace what is good.
ReplyDeleteWhat's happened on Instagram since October 7 has been awful (disappointing, terrifying, annoying, frustrating, sad, ...) and ugh that curating the feed is now an ongoing thing. Do you think of taking a break?
ReplyDeleteSarah, this is such a powerful post. I'm glad you've culled and curated and found a way to interact online in a healthy way. This is a dark time -- and hate born of ignorance and one-sidedness is more of what this world doesn't need. xo
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