It’s been a long 4 years of really bad news. Man it was bad. And I’m sick of it.
I’m sick of reading the news each morning even though everything seems to be improving now (compared to the last 4 years)
So I’m thinking of going cold turkey. This is like a sick rollercoaster ride and I’m ready to exit and see what life is like without news. Any tips?
I know individuals in my Men’s Bible Study Group who are a lot like you. They consume the news to the point of almost becoming physically ill.
When our Parents were growing up, the news was something that you read while eating breakfast or for an hour on the radio/television in the evening.
I know a guy who worked for a Catholic Media company, reporting on all the bad news in the Church, day in and day out. It started off as a passion for him, but over time, his faith began to wilt. He no longer believes in God. It is very sad.
I think taking a media fast is important to not only one’s mental health, but also one’s faith.
One of my favorite Scripture verses is Matthew 6:34, which says, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
These things that we allow to upset us are often things that are out of our control.
I check the weather forecast and Philadelphia news online each morning. I also get the really thin Delaware County Town Talk at a supermarket once a week. I don’t see how it would benefit me to skip local news for 40 days.
I want to stay apprised by what is happening in our country, but catch myself getting full of WRATH which during our season of Lent, I am trying to tame. I pray for the hate and insanity that has beset our country and try to funnel that anger into righteous anger.
Now social media is another matter. I made the mistake of going to Hallow’s FB page because I have read an incredibly beautiful book in conjunction to Hallow’s Lent podcast. I thought I would find other Catholics commenting on the book, BUT instead, found trolls (forgive me Lord) slamming Catholics and commentators making ugly and derisive comments. The old “worshipping Mary” and the “praying to the Pope” just hit me in the face. Of course, I JUST HAD to light in on one guy, to let him know that no Christian worships Mary. It just ruined my beautiful God glow from praying and praising Him. I’m pretty much done with FB. It’s poison.
I don’t use Facebook or other social media and never have, and I don’t ordinarily argue with people online except on Catholic Talk. 
I’m really enjoying Catholic talk. I love sharing ideas with other people ! What was so bad about that bad experience was that I wanted to talk about that particular book with other Catholics and the Lent podcast on the Hallow FB page. I was so shocked when what I found was people that had never even been on the app and the catholic bashers, who were so rude to get on a FB page about a catholic app. And claiming to be Christian! I have more or less stayed away from FB because I need to stay away from distractions during Lent. I think that did it for me. Catholic talk for me too.
During Lent, I started off trying to avoid reading/watching news on the internet that was not relevant to my ministry. It was actually really great. I’m glad I stopped watching videos of people commenting of current events. However, an election was called here in Canada so now I feel I should be paying attention to things.
I guess the summary of my thoughts is: it’s really hard to avoid news and commentary, but it’s probably a good idea for most of us to set limits for ourselves.