How to “Stay Informed” While Protecting Your Peace

Photo By: Kaboompics.com

It’s been 6 years since I went on a news fast (AKA an information diet). When I tell people I don’t keep up with the news, they’re often shocked and sometimes disgusted. They assume I don’t know anything that’s going on in the world or that I don’t care, which couldn’t be further from the truth.

Despite what you might think about someone who doesn’t follow the news, I haven’t lost touch with political, world, or local events.

I still heard about the:

• COVID pandemic and lockdown

• war in Ukraine

• local and US-wide shootings

• fires in California- hurricanes

• who got electedand other current events in real time.

I even heard about Musk’s son wiping buggers on the President’s desk. Did I need to know that? No. But I heard about it.

Why Stay Off the News?

As a coach and psychology nerd, I know that when we’re afraid, our prefrontal cortex (AKA problem solving center) goes offline. We’re unable to think critically and we make rash decisions.

I also know that more isn’t always better, especially when it comes to information. Our brains can only handle so much data before we can’t process it and get decision fatigue when deciding the best actions to take.

By removing myself from the constant onslaught of news, I can think clearly and respond calmly (instead of react) to current events.

I’m able to be discerning about how I want to move forward instead of being overly influenced by the source I heard them from.

Even if you ultimately decide you want to keep listening to NPR or reading the headlines, the best news to cut out is through social media.

Unfortunately, misinformation travels faster on social media than the truth. Probably partially due to the fact that we’re hardwired to pay attention more to counterintuitive information — and sometimes it’s counterintuitive because it’s not true.

How Information Still Finds You

You might wonder how I stay informed without actively consuming news. The truth is, important information has a way of finding you through word of mouth:

• Conversations with friends and family

• Community discussions

• Overheard conversations in public

When something truly matters, you’ll hear about it — often multiple times.

The difference is you’ll encounter it organically, without the manufactured urgency and emotional manipulation that comes with traditional news cycles.

Filtering Signal from Noise

Recently, my husband and I were discussing the influx of information we’ve received about Trump’s second term despite not following news sources. He expressed frustration that we weren’t getting a break from the information.

I reminded him that we didn’t stop consuming news because we wanted to be out of the loop. We stopped consuming news because we wanted to focus on what we can control and hear about only relevant current events.

So by hearing more about Trump’s actions even when I haven’t changed my habits tells me that we need to pay attention.

And because we aren’t constantly spiraling in fear from sensationalized headlines, we can process this information calmly and take actions aligned with our values to positively impact our community.

This is the hidden benefit of a no-news diet — you develop better discernment about what truly matters. When everything is urgent (as in the traditional news cycle), nothing is. But when something consistently reaches you despite your filters, it’s worth investigating.

The Benefits of a News-Free Life

Since disconnecting from the 24/7 news cycle, I’ve experienced several profound changes:

Reduced anxiety & stress. Without the constant stream of crisis narratives, my baseline stress level has decreased dramatically. (Did you know TV ads during the news cost more because people buy more when they’re afraid?)

More mental bandwidth. The hours I once spent consuming news are now dedicated to reading books, learning new skills, and having meaningful conversations.

Clearer thinking. Without media outlets framing issues for me, I can approach topics with greater objectivity and curiosity to come to my own conclusions.

Higher quality information. When I do seek information, I go directly to primary sources and experts to get as much of the unfiltered truth as possible.

Better relationships. I’m present with the people around me instead of being distracted by the latest headline or notification.

What About Being an Informed Citizen?

The most common objection I hear is: “Don’t you have a responsibility to stay informed?”

Here’s the thing — being truly informed means understanding issues deeply, not collecting superficial headlines. When something requires my attention or action, I research it thoroughly rather than passively consuming whatever is pushed to me.

Since I don’t spend my time on social media or watch more than one episode of a TV show per night, I have the time to go to the original source.

For example, when I kept hearing about Project 2025, I decided to read it directly instead of reading about it. It’s over 700 pages long (I’m not finished with it), but it only took Page 5 to discover that the authors believe librarians who offer stories about Trans people should be labeled sex offenders.

I’ve found that I’m actually better informed about the issues I care about now that I’ve stepped off the news treadmill. I’ve gone to more protests, taken more aligned action, and had better conversations — especially with people I disagree with.

The way the internet is setup now, we’re just spending time in our echochambers instead of deciding what we think. It has meant that we’ve grown more alienated from our neighbors. Instead of finding common ground, we’ve given up on people as “too far gone,” but it doesn’t have to stay that way. We have the power to change the story and our own minds.

How to Create Your Own News Diet

If you’re interested in reducing your news consumption, start with a simple 7-day cleanse.

1. Delete news apps, unsubscribe & unfollow and turning off notifications.

2. Replace your morning news check with meditation, journaling, or reading.

3. Connect with community through conversations, events, or volunteering.

4. After a week, reflect on changes in your mood and focus.

5. Then create a sustainable plan that might include limited, intentional news consumption or continuing your cleanse for longer.

Remember, the goal isn’t ignorance — it’s mindful consumption that serves your wellbeing rather than undermining it.

The Freedom to Choose Your Information

In a world where attention is the most precious commodity, deciding what deserves yours is a radical act of self-protection. My no-news lifestyle isn’t about ignorance — it’s about information sovereignty.

I’ve traded the illusion of being informed about everything for the reality of understanding what truly matters.

Six years in, I don’t see myself going back. The clarity, peace, and perspective I’ve gained are too valuable to trade for the false ideal of staying “up to date.” If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the endless news cycle, I invite you to try a digital cleanse of your own. You might be surprised by how little you miss and how much you gain.

And if you want to take this work further, take the Digital Wellness Quiz to receive customized suggestions based on your results or sign up for my Digital Freedom Program, a one-on-one coaching experience to audit your digital life, unplug for 30 days, and then reflect to create lasting habits and boundaries.