How Much News Is Enough News?

Navigating the Fine Line Between Staying Informed and Staying Sane

I actively avoid reading the news. Shocking, right? I mean, it's practically a crime in some households (hello, mine!). But here’s the thing: I skim, I scroll, I dip my toes in just enough to not sound like an alien at dinner parties, and then I promptly peace out. My family? Oh, they think I’m committing the cardinal sin of our information age: "How can you not stay updated?! How else will you be prepared for… I don’t know, impending doom?"

But... what am I really preparing for here? A global alien invasion? Spontaneous government overthrows in five different countries? Am I supposed to assemble an apocalypse survival kit after reading a headline about today's disaster? Not buying it.

News Fatigue Is Real

Now, let’s set the scene: I’m at home with my family. We’re mid-dinner, and the news is playing in the background like it’s the soundtrack to our lives. Every. Single. Day. They’re going on about the latest political scandal, the state of the economy, and some asteroid that might hit us... in 3024. Meanwhile, I’m just here trying to enjoy my pasta without being pulled into this vortex of panic.

“How will you know what to do when something bad happens?” My family loves to ask this one. To which I say: if something’s so bad that I need to know, trust me, I’ll know. Whether it’s a panic-stricken group text, Instagram imploding, or a friends’ very dramatic Tiktok—the news will reach me. That’s the beauty of modern technology. It’s unavoidable.

Selective Ignorance = Sanity

Let’s talk about mental health for a second. We weren’t designed to process every disaster on the planet at the same time. We don’t need to know about every tragedy or impending global meltdown to function. In fact, forcing yourself to do that? That’s the fastest way to burn out.

It’s okay to check out. It’s okay to be selectively ignorant. If I want to read about sustainable fashion trends or binge-watch cat videos instead of world politics, that’s my prerogative. And honestly? It’s survival.

The Myth of Being “Informed”

Let me say it—being informed doesn’t always mean helpful. Knowing everything doesn't give you extra points in life. Sure, staying updated on topics that matter to you? Cool. But does reading about every single catastrophe make you a superhero? Not really.

It's like... okay, you know everything that’s wrong with the world. Now what? What are you actually going to do about it? Most of the time, being "informed" just means you’re more stressed about stuff you can’t fix. Tell me how that’s helping anyone.

Mental Health Trumps Chaos

When we overload our brains with stress and negativity, we burn out. Simple. So yeah, avoiding the news isn’t about “being ignorant.” It’s about preserving my sanity. I’m not here to absorb every global issue and carry it on my shoulders. That's not my job. Thank you, next.

So, no, I’m not unplugged from the world. I’m just strategically picking what I care about. I try to keep tabs on anything that is happening locally. I call it the Marie Kondo method of news—only keep what sparks joy. (Or at least what doesn’t make me want to throw my phone into the nearest lake.)

In conclusion? No, I’m not totally uninformed. I’m strategically informed. And yeah, maybe my family will always think I’m blissfully ignorant—but at least that way some of my sanity’s intact. And if the sky starts falling, I’ll hear about it, don’t worry.

Do you think selective ignorance is the key to maintaining mental health? 💭👇