A few weeks ago, I made a radical shift in terms of how I spend my time online. My husband and I don’t have a TV, but we do have cable internet, and our business depends on us being online frequently. But in addition to the actual work I needed to do on the computer, I used to frequent a couple of news sites and several sad blogs. I think I read the news out of habit, and a feeling that I needed to keep up with what was going on in the world. I can’t really say why I was drawn to the sad blogs. But whatever the reasons, I would estimate that I used to spend at least an hour each day reading news stories (and the news doesn’t tend to focus on happy events) and sad blogs. Some days I’m sure it was more than that.
I don’t know the exact day, but about two or three weeks ago, I just decided to stop reading depressing stuff. I have a wonderful, happy life, for which I am exceedingly thankful. Why was I seeking out stories online that cast shadows over my day? I realized that I did not, in fact, have to read the news everyday – or ever at all. The world will keep on spinning, regardless of whether I know all the details about the various tragedies that are occurring every day. I served two years in the Peace Corps in Africa, and I have friends who live all around the world. I’m well aware that we in the US are a very fortunate bunch, and I will continue to support organizations that are fighting against social injustice and poverty and disease around the globe. I don’t need to know about specific events in order to trigger my sympathetic side. And I don’t need to read about other families’ tragedies in order to be exceedingly grateful for my own family.
So just like that, I stopped visiting sites that didn’t make me feel good. I still have to do extensive online research for my job, but I stick to the topics at hand and no longer click on links that I later wish I hadn’t. I feel so much better. I am living under that proverbial rock, and it’s a wonderful, cozy place to be. I know that for some people it wouldn’t be, but for me, it’s perfect. I do still have plenty of online reading that I do for fun, but I would estimate that I’m saving about an hour a day that used to be spend reading things that made me less happy. Now I’m spending that hour playing with my son, hanging out with my husband, or working in the yard. For me, that’s a great trade.
Here are some of the sites that I’m still visiting. I find that they all inspire me, make me smile, give me ideas that I can use in my own life, and generally make my day better:
Choosing Raw (I am planning to make those awesome looking mint chocolate bars tomorrow. Dessert with spinach in it? Sign me up!!)
Craigslist (you never know what you’ll find…)
The Ultimate Money Blog (check out her article today about hemp. I’m a HUGE fan of hemp, and wish the stuff I buy didn’t have to be imported from Canada)
Notes From The Frugal Trenches
I don’t visit all of these sites every day, or even every week. But they’re all sites that I really enjoy, and that fit well with my own priorities and beliefs (can you tell I’m into nutrition and frugality and environmentalism?) There are lots of others that I enjoy too, but this list was what popped into my head when I tried to think of sites that I find inspiring and rewarding, and will thus continue to visit.
Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Related posts:
I hear you about the news being so depressing. I can be somewhat of a tv news junkie, but lately because the weather has warmed up and we are outside now so much through out the day, I haven’t really watched the news. I don’t really miss it.
I only go to websites that interest me and can’t say I visit sad ones, but I do shy away from any movies or tv shows that are violent, sad, depressing or destructive. If we watch tv or movies, it is usually a comedy. Isn’t laughter the best medicine?
Do you ever take suggestions for posts? I would love to hear your thoughts on hemp.
I am SO flattered you included me!! <3
I love this way of thinking- I avoid the news as well. I think it just creates depression. I used to check doomer blogs and after awhile I decided that it was driving me crazy, so I better stop!
My kids keep me away from the news – thats bath bottle story and bed time, but I spend way to much time on the computer. Granted its usually at nap or bed time but hubby needs attention too. Thanks for the reminder.
There was one downright depressing blog I read – it was about a social tragedy. I really feel sorry for the people affected, but I couldn’t take it anymore! There was nothing that I could do to help it. I just stopped reading it. So, I get what you are saying.
I just can’t read sad depressing stuff! Happy, dreamy, positive stuff – can do all day!
Hey Frugal Babe!
The funny thing is, I thought I’d miss it but I really don’t! The world keeps on spinning, and things will happen whether I know about them or not. Like you, I feel like we make pretty conscious choices, and don’t need media input for that. And if there’s something specific I want to know about, there’s always Google. 
I can totally relate. We’ve been making a conscious effort to reduce our media consumption around here. The kids haven’t watched any tv in months, which means the tv doesn’t come on at 6:00 news time any more, and the 11:00 news is past my bed time.
On another topic, I’d love to know where you import your Canadian hemp from!! I didn’t even know we had hemp up here.
See, I really am living under a rock!!!
Take care,
Alissa
I tend to keep my head well in the sand in terms of standard news, but you know what? I can fill in the blanks. Another car bombing in war-torn country X, no end in site, arguing about this, that and another bill.. . People were surprised when I didn’t watch the earthquake coverage from Haiti–hello, people. I know about earthquakes, I know about Haiti, hence, I can see, it’s a sad state of affairs, no need to see the bodies on TV after dinner (I think there are more bodies on TV here in France).
The important thing is to do what you can to make things better. Watching depressing and morbid news only makes you depressed, tired and cynical. Good for you.
bad news is timeless. . . there was bad news a thousand years ago. It will never end. You may as well live the way you want. . . happy and free.
Hi,
Wow it’s crazy how similar your list of favorite blogs is to mine! Health and frugality are my two favorite topics and I keep trying to figure out a way to make a living focusing on either of these. A couple of my other favorites you might like:
http://www.earlyretirementextreme.com
http://www.meghantelpnerblog.com
Cheers,
Kelly
Thx for the shout out!
My partners a journo so I’ve kinda got news fatigue, i’ve also notice how it’s her perception of the world getting sent information from the police every week on rapes and violent crime.