A New Year's Resolution: Moving from Compulsive to Mindful Content Consumption
Overcoming Over-Consumption of Information to Refocus Your Life
Happy New Year!
Whether your 2020 was horrible, surprisingly sublime, or somewhere in between, it was (almost certainly) not the year you envisioned when the clock struck midnight on December 31, 2019.
Many of us (me included!) found ourselves compulsively seeking and consuming information in 2020 as we sought to understand — or escape — the pandemic and its impact on our lives.
I don’t do diets when it comes to food. But following a year of gluttonous content consumption, I am considering an information diet in 2021.
If you also feel your content consumption was excessive in 2020, maybe you will join me in my New Year’s Resolution to be mindful of the content I consume, how it makes me feel and what value it is contributing to my life.
Constant & Compulsive Consumption of Content
To make an obvious statement: the Internet provides us with unprecedented access to information. As more and more people leverage the internet to build their own platforms (including yours truly), your choice of personas and platforms to follow increases daily.
In this information or content, you may find value, knowledge, community, connection and inspiration.
But you may also develop a compulsion to consume content. You may be devouring videos, images and words without taking the time to reflect on the resulting learning or feelings.
Even if you gravitate toward inspirational and instructional content, information is transformed from helpful to harmful when we indulge in constant consumption without application or reflection or even discussion with real people.
When imbalanced, the consumption of information becomes an addiction to stimulation from external sources.
If this imbalanced relationship with content resonates with you, check out this article for examples of how overconsumption of internet content may affect you negatively and tactics for harnessing the benefits of information while being mindful of (and avoiding) the pitfalls.
INFORMATION IMPACT AREA: Your Ability to Form & Express Ideas
Obviously I love blogs! And podcasts! And audiobooks! And in 2020, expanding (and consuming) my library of audiobooks, podcasts and Instagram accounts was a daily pursuit.
Abundant access to ideas & knowledge is awesome - until it starts to interfere with our ability to sit with and reflect on our own ideas.
What does this interference look life?
Being unable to embark on a simple chore without a podcast in your ears.
Interrupting a task upon seeing your phone to scroll through the SAME SET OF INSTAGRAM IMAGES you already viewed twice that day.
Continuing to watch YouTube videos that you are not enjoying or appreciating.
Even when information is valuable, if you consume it at a pace that doesn’t allow for absorption or application, it becomes a distraction.
You do not have to give up your favourite inspirational blog or YouTube channel. But the following are some practices you can put in place to ensure you are processing and cultivating your own understanding and experiences.
TACTICS
Journalling – I know not everyone loves writing, but there is something magical about setting out your thoughts and concerns ON PAPER WITH A PEN – no typing! (If you are more of a science person, then you may be motivated to learn that research demonstrates the impact of putting ink to page).
When you write, the flow of your words may surprise you. If a specific situation/person/challenge is bothering you, by writing about that challenge, you can often write yourself to a better understanding of what is *really* at stake and reach a calmer perspective on the problem. In some cases, you will even articulate a plan. You may also find that lessons from your podcasts, books and other information sources arise here and can be applied to your own situation.
Journalling deserves its own article (stay tuned for that!) but if you want some structure, schedule a specific time of day to journal or google some journaling prompts to get you started.
Discussing with Others – Create space to discuss your ideas with other people! This could be a book club, a podcast club, a cookbook club or a crafting club. You can also register for a class or training. Having the chance to articulate your ideas aloud or hear how others respond to an idea will help you approach content with greater attention and consideration.
Also, connecting with other people helps off-set the potentially isolating effects of solo content consumption.
INFORMATION IMPACT AREA: Your Shopping & Spending
As someone who came of age in the dawn of the Internet, I remember when the Web was a quirky and curious place full of random webpages and e-card generators (*cue misty-eye nostalgia*).
Today’s Internet is a frickin’ shopping mall. You may have carefully curated your Instagram to be a positive space, but there is no doubt your desires are being deliberately manipulated when every fifth image is an advertisement targeted based on your unique interests and passions.
This can result in sudden and urgent ‘needs’ to acquire a certain item. It may be a sensible item, it may be an item you genuinely do not need, but your desire to purchase the item is a response to external stimulus – not an internal and carefully considered choice.
You don’t have to be a die-hard minimalist or a financial advisor to know that too many spontaneous online purchases are harmful for your bank account and your living environment. Over-consumption leads to clutter and feelings of overwhelm. It can even cue a vicious cycle where you feel a ‘need’ to buy more things to store and manage your existing possessions.
This is a tough area because temptation is ever-present, in overt ways and embedded into the content of your trusted and admired social media influencers. Learning to pause in the moment of temptation, take your time, save up for things you really want or use what you already have will contribute to better decisions based on what is best for you instead of marketers’ influence and tricks.
TACTICS
Ban Impulse Buys – Make a list of items you want to purchase when the urge strikes. But do not immediately indulge that urge (I don’t care if there’s a sale! There will always be another sale!) Date each entry on your list. Then cool your jets for 5 days… a week… or longer. Re-visit the item once your allotted period of time has passed. You will be surprised the number of times the urgent ‘need’ has subsided and you no longer want the item. If you still want it, proceed to the next steps…
Take Stock of What you Already Have – Check your closet, your make-up drawer, your bookshelf. Do you already have a variant of what you want to buy that is lightly or rarely used? Chances are, yes, you absolutely do. This confirms this is a want, not a need.
Buy with Real Money – If you actually do not have an item and still want it after time has passed, then add it to your budget and save up. Stop borrowing from your future self to get what you want immediately. This includes credit card purchases that you do not have the funds to immediately pay off. If you have not saved up real money or you do not have the available funds in your bank account, do not get into debt for consumer goods (clothes, shoes, bags, shirts) that you truly do not need.
INFORMATION IMPACT AREA: Your Physical Wellbeing
Information is a mental game. It feeds our minds while our bodies often languish in uncomfortable postures and prolonged sedentary states.
While some forms of information consumption are compatible with mobility, often information consumption involves slouching over a smart phone or sitting in front of a computer for prolonged periods of time. These habits are altering the functioning and health of our bodies.
The good news here is there are very practical ways to counteract the unhealthy influences of too much time spent passively absorbing information.
TACTICS:
Walk Outside – Yes, outside. I know people struggle with stepping away from screens, and that this can be complicated during the workday or if you are caring for little ones, but even the briefest of walks – especially in the morning – will make a big difference. If you can fit 2 or even 3 mini walks in your day, you will notice positive benefits to your attention and physical comfort throughout the day.
Stand & Stretch – Take short stretch breaks. You can look for guided stretches on YouTube, etc. Otherwise, stand, reach, roll, step on the spot, lift your knees, listen to your body and move however feels good. Keep it gentle. Keep it frequent to interrupt long periods of sitting or stillness.
Find Your Fitness – The tactics above are intended to be short bursts of activity to prevent prolonged inactivity. Finding an activity that gets you moving for longer periods of time and working that into your schedule is also important. Dancing, biking (stationary or other), weights, yoga, running, hiking, swimming, skating, skiing, circus training, trampolining – don’t be afraid to try new things if you haven’t found your fitness love yet! If you know that ballet or Crossfit gets you amped up, then schedule and protect your time to get your fitness on.
INFORMATION IMPACT AREA: Your Experience of Your Life & Relationships
This one is deep, I know. But truly – your life consists of the present moment. Too often, content will transport our focus to the past or the future rather than encouraging us to appreciate the present.
You may see a photo on social media that makes you think on the past with over-idealized nostalgia, as in ‘I was so happy back then…’.
Or you might listen to a podcast that makes you too focused on what the future holds, as in ‘I will be happy when I have finally have / earn / reach…’.
Comparing ourselves to other stages of our lives – or to other people’s lives – takes us outside of the present moment. Friends, all we actually have in life is RIGHT NOW. And content that emphasizes future gains or evokes regret for bygone days is not helping you.
TACTICS:
Meditate – Get still and pay attention to your own mind and body. One of the benefits of our age of easy information access is a plethora of podcasts, apps and YouTube videos with guided meditations or super chill meditation music to get you started.
Practice slowing down your mind. Practice awareness of your body (clenching your jaw?) and your breath (did your breath get all shallow and rapid when you opened your email Inbox or read that depressing article cause the clickbait got you?).
By taking time to practice meditation, you will begin to incorporate its lessons and observations into other parts of your life, and take stock of how your mind and body are experiencing and acting in the present moment.
Appreciate – gratitude, yo. Science and religion agree, this is the way to be. Take time to register what is excellent in each day. Perhaps this can be part of your journaling practice? Or something you decide you want to communicate to people in your life, sharing words, voice messages, letters or phone calls to tell people you appreciate them.
Concentrate – Put your phone away during conversations, movies, work, exercise and outdoor time. Your phone should not be an ever present accessory within easy reach at all times. Allow your mind the gift of concentration. Engaging fully in the task in front of you will increase your success and enjoyment. Listening to the people in your life will strengthen your relationships.
Looking Inward & Forward…
That was a lot. But probably one of these impact areas spoke to you. As with all goals and resolutions, focus on the area that resonates most with you, where you feel that even small changes will contribute to a happier, more energized, more present life.
I believe in you! I believe that 2021 will hold marvellous things for you, and I hope that you can find inspiration from all the information available to us and harness its power to encourage, educate and expand your mind and life.
Happiest New Year to you all!
