My Major News Addiction and How I Cured It

Addiction comes in many forms. Whether it's the news or something more traditional like smoking, the effects are very much the same. The habits take up our time, hijack the wiring in our brains, and they cost a lot of money. But most importantly, they are avoidance devices - they help us avoid the here and now, and ourselves.
Whatever we're feeling goes away when we give into addiction. It's the easy out from spending quality time with ourselves. But over time, the addiction becomes a crutch that makes us miserable. With news, we skew our perception of the world to be more dangerous and scary than it really is. Most of it is negative, not useful, and forgotten about by the next day
In this KZbin video, I talk about my own experience as a news junky, what I did about it, and how we can all consume the news more mindfully so that it brings us more peace and purpose in our lives.
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[@ingebird3380]

I used to call myself a news junkie. I even wrote for a political blog. Interviewing people made me feel excited that I was contributing something for the greater good. Then 2020 happened. I questioned everything and the editor in chief of the political blog didn’t like it. My job was to follow the narrative and not stir up trouble. That didn’t work for me so I resigned. I now had more time to do my research and ask more questions. I no longer listen or read the news. I learned it’s all about ratings and the mighty dollar. Noam Chomsky talked about that in the 70s. I now focus on helping locally and helping others in need. I want to be one of the helpers that Mr Rogers talked about.

[@selah71]

I realized I'd invested a lot of emotions from watching the news a LOT. Outrage, sadness, heartbreak, etc. Now I limit the news I watch and remain detached. Like you, my heart breaks for the world. I pray, release with love, remind myself it is their stories and how more and more people are awaking. All is well. Love and light to you and thank you for your videos.

[@jvb7164]

I don’t have tv and stopped watching news about 10 years ago in my 20’s. I get the headlines just from all people talking about it, thats more than enough…

[@sidoughty428]

Thank you for your wise advice. I definitely have felt the additional weight created by exposure to excessive news. There now appears to be an unlimited amount of issues to be concerned about.

[@rileystein6195]

I had to do the same thing for my inner peace. I'm aware enough, but I know when to stop.

[@Duncansigurdsson]

Man, I really needed to hear someone else say it.

[@suzanneslaw2562]

Beautiful! I used to have the same addiction, then realized it was feeding my anxiety I had at the time. Since then, I've realized the news is on another Timeline than I am now. I, too, keep a quick pulse on the 2-3 big headlines out there, just to be aware. Yes yes, sooo much more wonderful things to focus our energy on. Namaste ❤🙏 ❤

[@user-tk3nm2ul1e]

Good advice! I agree!

[@malcolmnicoll1165]

"Here, let me fill your head with a bunch of negativity, opinionated bullshit and lies that are not actually news." - Every mainstream news outlet Thanks, Todd. Most grateful for all you do.

[@powerline530]

I tried to stop it but some hateful comments i put months ago from a political video revived the addiction, I'm struggling again.

[@sabinamock4799]

What you said is sooo true. I feel the same way. Thank you.

[@christelelang7250]

I was addicted to facebook!, eventually I asked to delete my account, it ll be next month and I ll be free! they are very clever, you have to wait one month lol

[@anteroserotes5846]

Excellent monologue on such an important topic. I've been dealing with this addiction and just recently made the same moves you have. It's been a work in progress but I've noticed the beautiful internal changes with the breaking of those impulses and urges. Thanks for speaking on this in your authentic ways and thank you for all you do!

[@PopularMomster]

I can't love this more. Keep your lense clean.

[@Mookiethedog]

Great advice. Even watching the news to be informed to decide who to vote for doesn’t help much as whoever wins basically perpetuates the status quo. (Also how biased is news when it’s sponsored by big corporations versus an unbiased narrative). Love your channel. I was also obsessed with news and current affairs etc! Peace

[@lindalundstrom4347]

I am a mother of six. Lost my youngest son almost 20 years ago. Had lunch with my second youngest yesterday. He is a police officer and I try to be there for him when he needs someone to talk to. He asked me if I had seen the news regarding a recent shooting and I said no. He looked surprised and said ” But mum, you always follow the news”. And I answered him: ”Not anymore son. Not since your graduation four months ago.” I had to choose in order to stay strong. I now only know what he tells me. And that is plenty enough.

[@wilhelmhesse1348]

Sorry for your loss...🙏💯

[@lindalundstrom4347]

@@wilhelmhesse1348 ❤️

[@ToddPerelmuter]

Sending love ❤️

[@LouveniaMusic]

Careful of going off headlines. They’re often misleading these days.

[@Cyber_Kriss]

I just can't believe YOU had that kind of addiction toward the (mostly stressful) news 🤨

[@bernardofitzpatrick5403]

Great advice 🙌🏽🤙🏽

[@GOD999MODE]

I'm addicted to News, "doom scrolling" on Reddit, and pornography. I've felt how they've been detrimental to my mental and intellectual health. I understand the mechanism of the dopamine loop and how it causes this addiction. Somehow, it is still as difficult as ever to be free of it. Career/work isn't satisfying enough (pay is also not great), and dating apps are proving to be demoralizing in trying to advance the romantic life.

[@ToddPerelmuter]

Try replacing those behaviors with meditation because those activities are an attempt at happiness but meditation is the real thing and makes quitting easier

[@440SPN]

More beauty than crisis. Thanks Todd.

[@osphranterrufus]

A good site blocker also helps.

[@fincarosa]

I feel sorry for ppl here in the US that there isnt a decent news service. It's all talking heads with opinions that seems to have a purpose of making people emotional rather than informed. There IS such a thing as fair and balanced reporting....I just have to go overseas to find it. I feel much calmer and more informed for doing so

[@sonjalillard114]

I have the same problem

[@mtnshelby7059]

I needed to hear this.

[@omaryousifkamal4290]

i live in middle east I dont need news my nighbour/dad/freind will talk about it anyway. jk i am addicted to it and it is useless.

[@Sajad-d1q]

Actually, addiction to news is not related to seek what one may choose to do in life. But, I think it originates from kind of anxiety. And, the problem is that with lots of nonsense or annoying news, the anxiety becomes even worse. The guidance offered here seems to prove very useful.

[@RobertBrown-mm3un]

Golden‼☮💜

[@conniemccoy5794]

I haven't watched TV since May 2020. I watch KZbin so I can find what I can relate to. I am glad I ran into your channel. I have one question. I meditate several times a day.. I am a Christian.. are you? It doesn't matter if you are or not, I was just wondering.

[@yakari7983]

Same here and because of my fkiiing adhd i just cant seam to stop this bs addiction to news and politics. Pray for me please.

[@elirien4264]

Thank you thank you thank you for posting,I needed to hear this!

[@haze1123]

Very useful. Thanks!

[@bestgrandma8302]

Thank you Todd.🎉🥰🥰🙏

[@wilhelmhesse1348]

I'm having this problem but the challenge here is keeping abreast with current affairs could be a matter of life and death, look at what is unfolding in the middle east, also with the very unpredictable weather we are having these days across the world, the unstable financial markets say for someone that has investments on the stock market or in crypto...it's either you do away with all that and become almost a hermit or you continue...it's hard to take the middle ground on this.

[@ToddPerelmuter]

​​Thanks for the question. I want to give it the time and thought it deserves. I will answer it in my newsletter so that others who have a similar question can hear as well

[@wilhelmhesse1348]

@@ToddPerelmuter many thanks Todd, your reply is highly appreciated and so to will be the response in your newsletter 💯👍

[@RawKnee1111]

Thank you ~

[@lizmichaels]

The best event to break away from the news was in psych class when for two weeks we had to watch the news and file each item into for categories: negative doesn't affect my life, negative affects my life, positive doesn't effect my life, positive affects my life. For two weeks all the news was the first category, negative doesn't affect my life. I haven't paid attention to the news ever since. If you look at your life, asking what am I missing right now, you realize you're not missing anything. You have everything to stay alive.