I read the news today, it was a mistake.
The feeling I received as I read about today’s events was unpleasant. My jaw was on the floor and my heart kept on pounding. I almost forgot how to breathe. I was halfway through the article and I should’ve stopped then. How much did I really need to know about tariffs? How much did I really need to know about the status of America’s allies? How much did I really need to know about Columbia college losing millions because they refused to comply with the new DEI initiatives? I am just trying to survive college. I didn’t really need to know this.
That’s how I tried to convince myself and it was a failed attempt. I kept on reading until my eyes hurt and I got to the last line. New information circled in my brain and my heart was still pounding. I was panicking: the state of our world is being gambled on. What could I do to make it stop? To improve it? What power could I use? My brain was filled with questions that could not be answered. The truth was that while I may have some power, the power that I have is nothing compared to the power of others. All I can do is watch as the world continues to be gambled on like it is nothing.
More questions popped into my mind. Was reading that article really worth it? Why do I keep doing this to myself? Should I keep on doing this? All of these questions left me sitting in silence for quite some time. None of them really received any definitive answers. It was frustrating not being able to answer any of my own questions. I am a person who does not let things go easily. That is why it was unfortunate that my mind was not done with questions. One last question popped into my head and it made my breath stop short: Can I separate myself from the news?
I had no idea how possible it was. Could I do that? Can people separate themselves from the news, especially in this day and age? Technology makes the news so accessible that people can find out about it even if they are not searching. Yet, that does not stop some people from trying. I had conversations with people about the news and saw them try to change the subject. I see people online argue that the news is not that important. I see people not talking about the news at all. Some people just live their lives as if the world will be turning forever. They are actively choosing to separate themselves from the news. So, yes, it can be possible. However, it is not worth it.
It should not matter what feelings reading the news elicit from you. The only thing that truly matters is that you are infomed. I might be a college student, but I am also a human being and that comes first. As human beings, it is important to know who you are and the power you hold. It is also important to know who people think you are. Lastly, it is important to understand that our world is constantly advancing and the different ways it is changing. Reading the news helps us understand all of this. That is why it is worth it, despite the pain and misery it may bring you.
While it is worth it and you should read the news, it is also important to make sure you prioritize your mental health. Reading the news, as a regular citizen, can sometimes make you feel like the world is ending and it kills us to know that we do not have the power needed to fix it. So, we try our best to go on about our day and act like there is not a sharp knife in our back. But, we both know very well that we are going to need stitches. It is the sad truth and all of it is unhealthy. That is why it’s important to prioritize your mental health, and there are a couple of ways you can do this.
When you feel like the world is ending, you can make yourself your favorite drink. We all have a favorite drink, whether it is juice, coffee, tea, or alcohol. The drink of choice does not matter as long as it is your choice and it is your favorite choice. When we can not fix a problem that requires a lot of power, it is important to focus on a task that requires extremely less power and brings you enjoyment. That’s why you should take a moment and make yourself your favorite drink. It is something that does not have a lot of brain power and makes you happy.
When you feel like the world is ending, you can make sure you always have something to look forward to. That something does not have to be anything extravagant, nor does it have to happen often. It could be hanging out with a friend every month, or making yourself your favorite coffee every morning. Maybe there’s a book that you wanted and it is finally being released. Perhaps your favorite team is on television again. It does not matter what it is as long as it is something that you look forward to.
Make sure whatever life you live is a balanced one. There are endless reasons why it’s essential to stay informed, but there are also endless reasons why taking care of your mental health is critical. Take care of yourself, always.
Featured Image by Allison Schmidt via Canva
