Reasons Behind My Decision to Stop News Consumption

The reason why Netflix is Better for Me

In the past, I took pride in being well-informed about current events, trends, and everything in between.

Somehow, it seems that people who are fond of news are considered intelligent individuals. Meanwhile, indulging in Netflix or other forms of entertainment was often seen as a waste of time.

The fact being in the know was not synonymous with being knowledgeable and intellectually superior.

However, as time went on, I began to notice the toll that constant news consumption was taking on my mental health. The endless barrage of negative stories, conflicts, and crises started to weigh heavily on my mind, leaving me feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and drained. I realized that my mental well-being was suffering, and something needed to change.

It seems that every trivial detail has the potential to be magnified and sensationalized as breaking news or headline-worthy material. The constant influx of information bombards us from various sources, including traditional news outlets, social media platforms, and online publications.

We are exposed to a vast array of information, not all of which holds significant importance or relevance.

Over time, I’ve come to recognize that this does more harm than good.

Reasons Behind My Constant Exhaustion

News has become a prevailing pollutant in our current times, marred by the abundance of hoaxes and clickbait. The Ministry of Information in my country declares there are there are 800,000 Hoax Spreading Sites in Indonesia.

Whether it’s stories of violence, political conflicts, or environmental disasters, continuous exposure to such distressing information.

Since COVID-19 came into the picture, I started realizing how news was getting to me. Especially during the worst of it in 2020, it felt like every day I was bombarded with news about people dying, and it really got me worried all the time.

Stopping to consume the news wasn’t as terrible as I imagined. I’ve observed that there aren’t significant changes, at least not within a week. Most news outlets seem to repeat the same things over and over again, regurgitating the same information repeatedly.

At times, I can even predict the contents of news articles simply by glancing at the headlines that appear on my phone screen. I tend to filter my sources and rely on trusted outlets, often skimming through the main points without delving into the finer details.

Even as things are getting better now, I still feel the negative impact of news consumption. The impact wasn’t felt right away, but it was like a compound loss that kept rolling.

I saw the news headlines when I was about to reply to messages. I was curious and clicked on the news. I skimmed the contents, and up to here, I have wasted my 5 minutes for nothing.

It’s not enough to stop there. Underneath there is usually similar news. Then I got curious and clicked on other news. Then I forgot what I had opened my phone for. News spoils my priorities.

Even worse, some news content triggers unnecessary debate.

Let’s say the case that recently went viral in my country is about a celebrity affair. Usually, many influencers begin to feel entitled to give their perspective. Somehow, I wonder what some of them think. Then I watched their opinion and saw a lot of blasphemous comments. Due to the conflicting opinions surrounding the topic, my curiosity got the best of me, and I couldn’t help but click for more to read additional comments.

Even just reading negative comments already makes my energy drain. Not to mention if I continue, check the netizen’s profile out of curiosity. I unconsciously commented on his life, which doesn’t look any better than the people he bullied. And I unknowingly became no different from netizens whose negative mouths even unconsciously became a part of them.

It wasn’t enough to stop there. Viral news became the talk of many people. When I met acquaintances or relatives, they told me about the news, and pros and cons started to arise between us. So we have unnecessary internal debates. Then realize that you have lost a lot of time and energy for useless things.

This pattern repeated itself over and over again, and before I knew it, I had lost track of how much time I had wasted on something that clearly drained my energy.

Why Netflix is Better than News

As I peruse through self-improvement posts, I frequently come across titles that imply there are better things to do than spending the whole day watching Netflix. These kinds of statements tend to make me feel guilty about indulging in movie marathons.

Contrary to popular belief, engaging with movies and TV shows provided me with a much-needed respite from the constant bombardment of news.

These allowed me to escape into different narratives, immerse myself in captivating stories, and temporarily disconnect from the real world. In doing so, I experienced a sense of relaxation, escapism, and a rejuvenation of my mental state.

A psychologist Dr. Gary Solomon declares watching movies can be a stress reliever therapy known as cinematherapy. Some benefits from cinema therapy, such as

• Form of stress released.
• Increase empathy.
• Evoke the emotion.
• Improve social relations.
• Help character development.

Some institutions use the cinema therapy approach as a trigger to hone group intervention and also develop the character for intellectual disabilities and mental disorders, groups. Research shows the themes in the movie resonate more deeply with people, allowing them to reflect on themselves and their circumstances.

Movies and TV shows provide a unique form of intellectual stimulation that goes beyond mere entertainment. They have the power to ignite discussions, promote critical thinking, and offer social commentary on various topics. From thought-provoking narratives to complex character arcs, these forms of media can challenge our perspectives, inspire introspection, and encourage us to delve deeper into societal issues.

Netflix serves as a gateway to a wide array of positive and diverse shows, ranging from reality series to thrilling competitions and everything in between. As I delve into these programs, I’ve discovered a treasure trove of knowledge and insights across various fields, providing me with a unique opportunity to expand my horizons in an enjoyable and accessible way.

From captivating documentaries that shed light on important social issues to informative series that delve into scientific discoveries, historical events, and cultural phenomena, Netflix offers an abundance of educational content.

Moreover, the platform embraces diversity, showcasing stories and perspectives from around the globe. It exposes me to different cultures, traditions, and ways of life, fostering empathy and understanding.

Movies, even though fictional, have their own merits. Behind the scenes, directors carefully incorporate real-life conflicts, locations, and time periods, offering a glimpse into different professions and simulating relatable situations we encounter in the real world.

After a Netflix binge, I find myself overflowing with new ideas, ready to explore and express them in my writing.

Navigating News Consumption

Even though I’ve stopped keeping up with the news, it’s crazy how information manages to find its way to me in so many ways. I don’t actively seek it out, but somehow it still finds me.

In this hyperconnected world, news is everywhere. It’s in the conversations I overhear at the coffee shop, the headlines I glimpse on billboards and the trending topics that flood my social media feeds. It’s like a sneaky ninja that creeps into my life when I least expect it.

It’s not all bad as long I take control not to consume them more. I may not know every little detail or breaking story, but that’s okay. I focus on what matters to me and let the rest slide. It’s all about finding that sweet spot between staying in the loop and keeping my sanity intact.

There was a time when I used to dig deep into the news, but now I’ve become a pro at filtering out the stuff that really matters to me. I give my attention to global disasters because we all need to be aware of what’s happening in the world. And since I’m all about mental health, I also keep an eye out for any juicy news in that area.

When it comes to local crime, politics, and what the heck is happening in the lives of celebrities, I really couldn’t give a damn. It’s just noise that doesn’t impact my life in any meaningful way. So, I ignore it and focus on the things that resonate with me.

By being selective about what I consume, I save myself time and energy. I get to prioritize what’s important to me and leave out the rest.