FridayFocus #7: Manage Your Media Consumption

I’m excited for 2025 - well, for the things I can control, I’m excited. With the things I can control, I can expect some degree of manageable outcome from my hard work, focus, and overall kind nature. I cannot control much of the outside world. The world and its many facets and moving parts are becoming increasingly connected, automated, and fast-paced, creating a world of vast uncertainty and complexity. There’s nothing I can do about it; there’s no slowing it down, and in fact, there are ways I can participate in this phenomenon through my use of all the social and news media I choose to scroll through.

We are bombarded with millions of messages each minute telling us what to eat, what pills to take, who to love, where to vacation, how to parent, who to be angry at - fearful of - provide support for. It’s a lot. When I think about all that outside influence sitting on my mind unchecked, it’s enough to make me stop writing this post and go for a ride on my stationary bike, so my virtual coach can yell at me to go faster up a hill that doesn’t exist. In all seriousness, the amount of information and pain in what is publicly witnessed and socially shared can profoundly affect us.

I think it’s good to be informed, but too much can be too much. As we start 2025, I want to encourage you to:

• To prevent endless scrolling, start by setting specific time limits for social media and news apps.

• Curate your feeds by following accounts that align with your values and goals and unfollowing sources that consistently drain your energy.

• To reconnect with your surroundings, schedule regular digital detoxes, such as no-phone hours during meals or before bedtime.

• Diversify your media sources to ensure a well-rounded perspective and avoid echo chambers.

• Prioritize offline activities like reading, exercising, or engaging in hobbies to balance your digital engagement with real-world experiences.

I hope this helps you manage your consumption, take care of your mental health and well-being, and start the new year well.

Peace.