In our hyper-connected world, many of us wrestle with the question: How much news and information should I really consume to stay informed without losing myself? The relentless stream of headlines, podcasts, influencers, and streaming content promises that if we miss out, we won’t belong or stay relevant. Yet beneath this bombardment lies a powerful force engineered to capture and hold our attention—often at the expense of our well-being.
The truth is, rules alone won’t save us. Deleting apps or enforcing digital detoxes may help temporarily, but these measures often fall short against technology designed to weaponize our focus. The battle for our attention is fiercer than any personal willpower or best intention. But—and this is a crucial but—this power only dominates if we let it.
Discovering You Already Belong
A profound question we seldom ask ourselves is: Where do I go for my answers? How often do we look outside ourselves to not just find information, but to be told what to think and how to feel? This external reliance is far from what we truly need.
To live well amid this information overload demands a radical reclaiming of sovereignty over our own lives—deciding when, where, and how much information serves us best. Cultivating this kind of self-awareness and self-trust is no small feat. It means granting ourselves permission and the inner strength to step away from what drains us.
This might mean quietly pruning your social feeds, or more dramatically, stepping away from entire platforms. The key is that these choices come from you, not from imposed rules or cultural pressures.
Ask yourself daily: “Is this helping or hurting?”
Answering this simple question is transformative. It shifts you from a passive consumer of content to an active steward of your own mental space. Recognizing that constant overwhelm harms both yourself and those around you empowers you to choose wisely what enters your mind. This makes you a sovereign, sane, and trustworthy voice—not only in your own life but in the wider world.
The Hidden Cost of Constant Connection
Many believe that staying glued to the news is essential to understand the world. But the irony is that in trying to keep up, we often lose touch with what’s happening inside ourselves. Disconnection from our inner world dulls our ability to process external information wisely. This detachment can perpetuate cycles of anxiety, fear, and overwhelm—not only within us but spreading through our communities.
So, how does the relentless flow of news and information really affect us?
Activate Your “Amoeba Intelligence”
Here’s a simple way to tune into your own needs: imagine yourself as a single-celled amoeba—moving toward what nourishes and away from what harms. Ask:
- After watching or reading, do I feel more empathic or more numb?
- Does this content inspire me to act or leave me feeling paralyzed?
- Am I gaining clarity or just adding to my mental clutter?
Your answers will guide you. Move towards what helps you live a meaningful, healing life aligned with your deepest values. Step away from what diminishes you, fractures your focus, or divides you from others.
It’s that simple.
Taking Responsibility for Our Information Diet
Choosing what to consume is more than a personal preference; it’s an act of responsibility—toward ourselves and the people we care about. Overwhelm is contagious. When we stay informed but emotionally depleted, our ability to respond constructively diminishes. When we reclaim control over our information intake, we become more grounded and able to offer presence, compassion, and insight.
Reclaiming Balance in Technological Times
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to the challenge of technology’s pull. But by cultivating self-trust and practicing mindful consumption, we can create healthier boundaries. These boundaries allow us to stay informed without being consumed.
The power lies in choosing consciously—embracing what uplifts and serves your well-being, and releasing what harms or overwhelms. This journey toward sovereignty over your attention is deeply personal but has ripple effects far beyond the individual.
Final Thoughts
In an era where technology’s influence is inescapable, the question is not whether we engage with it, but how we do so. By asking ourselves “Is this helping or hurting?” we empower our inner wisdom to lead. This simple practice can transform overwhelm into clarity, distraction into focus, and passivity into active participation in our own lives.
In reclaiming our mental and emotional space, we become not only survivors of the digital age but architects of a life rich in meaning, connection, and peace.
Susan McNamara, M.A., CHHC, is a thoughtful guide in exploring what humans truly need to thrive in the digital era. Her work invites us all to stand courageously for balance and well-being in our tech-driven world.