“Doomscrolling while weasels dance” was the title of a post I wrote a while ago (here). It described how news is presented to us in a way which is both addictive and terrifying. The result is that we become trapped in a doom-spiral of wanting to read the news… and being saddened by what we read.
One of my blogging friends, Richard (from RichardBist.com) left a comment explaining that one of the ways he overcomes news-anxiety is to avoid too much of the international news, and even limits his time reading the national news, concentrating instead on the local news.
I love this idea.
My suburb shares a weekly paper with half a dozen surrounding suburbs. I remember (with a little bit of guilt) that not that long ago I would take the rolled paper off the lawn-curb and put it straight on the cleaning shelf so that it could be used in the base of the bird cage, to wrap rubbish, or clean windows.
The few times that I had flipped through the local paper in the past, I saw information relating to the inclusion of a new cycle-way on one of the main roads, or the seating that was to be upgraded at the park. Very occasionally there was some ‘big’ news relating to a tragic car crash that had happened at a busy intersection and the neighbors all reiterated that they had long been clamoring for a roundabout or lights to make the location safer.
In the context of world wars and the global economy – it didn’t feel like news to me.
Now – I’m more of a Richardesqe person.
I like to read about what the police are trying to do to reduce the number of accidents involving e-bikes, or how the library is expanding its opening hours since more students utilize the space for study. Images of people enjoying the new off-lead dog-park are wholesome. And those sad stories (like the teenager who lost an arm when he fell off the back of his mate’s jet ski) are enough to remind me that bad things happen to good people.
It’s enough.
I can’t end world wars or change the global economy… but I can turn up to the mini-protest at the abandoned heritage building a few blocks away that was earmarked for privatization and demolition, and encourage the councillors to restore it instead… and I can walk through the new off-lead dog-park while I enjoy the feeling of sunshine on my shoulders.
Does that make me deliberately naive or evasive? Perhaps.
Negligent? Maybe.
Self-aware enough to know that now’s not my moment to save the world when I need to save myself a little longer? You bet.
“To everything there is a season” as the quote from Ecclesiastes 3:1 says.
For now – my season is local.
I’m going to focus on what I can do to clean up my own backyard and make a difference close to home… and then, with luck, as my health gets better, I can spread my wings and expand my efforts further afield.
There’s no shame in protecting your boundaries and recognizing what you can and can’t do (for now).
Take care taking care, right where you are, Linda xx
PS – in my recent travels through Blog-land, I came across a great post on Wynne Leon’s blog “Surprised by Joy” that is similar but different to my post today: How to Share Advocacy. It writes about how easy it is to feel cynical or defeated in the face of negative news, and how positivity can prevail if we “encourage optimism and action in our communities”. I’m with Wynne; even small, intentional, actions that assist others can help us reclaim our power and make the world a better place. Enough of those tiny ripples can create a new wave…
PPS – in case you’re wondering; I still use the local newspaper to clean the bird cage… but at least now I read it before it gets pooped on!
The Mindful Migraine 
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