By Rania Dawud

Reading the news so often is an awful habit to quit, but how can we not? It’s a strangely addictive soap opera, except the consequences result in real, inescapable suffering. With the world in endless chaos and the powerlessness that comes along with it, keeping up with the news feels like the least we can do. 

Being informed is a responsibility, and a well-intentioned one, but what happens when it feels far too overwhelming to keep up? When there are horrors happening countries away and sometimes even right outside our doors, it’s distressing to constantly be aware of it all. 

But when we are bombarded with crises as often as we are, one of two things inevitably happen: we become numb and passive towards catastrophe, or we become depressed and/or cynical. Then what?

It’s okay to unplug. And despite my righteousness streak, I’ve learnt to be okay with seeing a terrible headline and simply scrolling past it instead of opening the link and filling myself with dread over things I cannot help. 

Everything I’ve learnt about a certain orange man I’ve had to learn against my will, and I like it that way. Frankly, I don’t want to think about him or others like him at all if I can help it. Though every once in a while, I do feel guilty about being uninformed, but I’m learning to prioritize my own peace of mind instead. I can’t be of use to anyone or myself in both private and public spheres if I become too cynical. 

Limit how much of the news you consume every day

Since much of the news we consume now is through social media, feel free to unfollow news sites and to mute friends who post too much about politics. 

Don’t delve too much into discourse

Another bad habit branching from too much news intake is reading the dreaded comments section. Social media can be a double-edged sword in the way it allows just anyone to say what they want. This extends to news sources as well, don’t linger too long around untrustworthy publications. 

Look at good news 

Despite how messy the news cycle can be, remember that there are good things happening all around us. In fact, good things and bad things are always happening simultaneously, and with that in mind, it’s one step into finding peace within it all. 

And finally, accept your level of control and learn to carry on. This is difficult, however, when you can let go and accept your lack of power, it becomes easier to coexist alongside disasters.