I don’t watch the news. I just don’t. Yes, that might surprise and even upset some people. And, that’s a risk I’m going to have to take in order to talk about this controversial but also pretty prevalent topic. I say prevalent because, as usual, I find myself writing about this here after talking with HSP women all over the world who feel the same way. And, I’ve noticed a pattern in our feelings and experiences around the daily and 24/7 news cycle.
This topic is in my “Things That Scare Us” blog post series because it’s important to recognize and validate that the constant, 24/7 news cycle our world has shifted two in recent decades is overwhelming. It’s often extremely scary. Not just for sensitive introverts and HSPs, but for the general public. I’ve heard countless friends, family members, colleagues, clients, and acquaintances say that they can’t stand to watch the news anymore. Or, they can only stomach news reports in small doses.
So, while this is not a unique experience for HSP and introverted women, I think you will find my take to be relevant to you.
As we’ve discussed recently, highly sensitive, introverted women throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and beyond experience the world in a more heightened way than others often do. I truly do not believe that this is inherently good or bad. But, it does need to be examined and understood in order for us to thrive and live the life we truly deserve. Throughout this “Things That Scare Us” series, we’ve discussed being easily startled, scary movies, and haunted houses…lots of spooky season experiences. While I don’t think it’s necessary for all HSPs or introverts to avoid the Halloween festivities altogether, I do think it is important to name what you want. As a sensitive, introverted woman in the world, you do not need to apologize for or reject your inherent nature.
So, along those lines, being a sensitive introverted woman in today’s society may also mean avoiding the 24/7 or even daily news. No shade to the incredible journalists out there. I don’t think it is any secret that headlines, sound bites, and many modern media sources are intentionally sensationalized. The intent is to hook. To grab. A way to pull in the reader. It keeps us wanting and needing to learn more. While this is not inherently negative, it is also important to always consider intent and impact.
The news is in the written word, broadcasting, and social media…Everywhere.
Especially, if we are to operate from a trauma-informed, sensitive lens. This is not to say that all HSPs have experienced trauma. Of course not. I simply mean that the way our media is presented is not always the most HSP-conscious. Media is certainly not generally trauma-informed. Basically, living in today’s world is not for the faint of heart. And, as HSP women in the world, we have to protect our space. To protect what gets through at any given point.
Protecting your space as a sensitive, introverted woman in the world may require some adjustments. Now, don’t get me wrong, if you’ve been reading my blog or listening to my audio training you know that I am very much a person who believes that we shouldn’t have to change who we are in order to conform to the world around us. And, if you are a news lover who absolutely loves staying plugged in and connecting to the news the way it is currently presented, carry on my dear! This post probably isn’t for you.
Sensitive, introverts and HSP women deserve the quality of life that the 24/7 news cycle doesn’t give.
If you are a person who simply feels like you “should” be more plugged in but find that staying connected to daily events increases your anxiety, heightens your senses of dread and fear, or interferes with your overall enjoyment of life, this post is absolutely for you. Just like when I spoke about being easily startled, having this intense reaction to current events does not mean there is something wrong with you. Of course, if there are specific trauma triggers and issues coming up more suddenly or as a result of a particular event, please get help and support from a trauma-informed therapist. You deserve to reclaim your previous enjoyment of the news media. Reclaim your quality of life.
If this is simply how you are wired, let me reiterate that there is nothing wrong with you. It is not a requirement of being human that you must stay plugged into current events. To all that is going on in the world. It’s simply not. And, I’m so sorry to anyone who has been made to feel that way. For those who need it, here is your permission to unplug. To ignore and only consume media that feels good to you. If you are genuinely interested in staying informed but need a more HSP-friendly way to digest the news, I have some tips.
There are ways to listen to the news without hearing it 24/7
Consider a short podcast, app, or email roundup of the top headlines from an unbiased source. Some of the resources I encourage you to look into are “The Skimm” and “The Newsworthy”. If you want more good news in your life, there are more and more social media accounts, podcasts, and short roundups of good news stories popping up every single day. You should definitely look into those!
To conclude this, I want to drive home the point that “I don’t watch the news” is not just a cop-out. It’s not an excuse to avoid staying informed. It’s not just triggering and overwhelming. Not even that it’s too much for my sensitive soul. Though, that would be reason enough to not engage with the bombardment of media we have. A lot of people don’t realize that the news can also negatively impact sleep and stress. For example, coverage of a plane crash will really mess with my head.
INTERESTED IN COACHING FOR SENSITIVE WOMEN IN THE USA, UNITED KINGDOM, CANADA, AND BEYOND?
After watching the news, I get anxious. It affects my sleep a lot. So, maybe you’re like me, Where school shootings and threats can be paralyzing. Of course, we can’t always escape it, but I do believe we can have a little more control over how we take this information in. As a sensitive introvert coach, I work with women to liberate them from the world’s pressure to change and be different from their sensitive, introverted nature. I can support you in finding ways to consume the news in ways that suit your nature. I would also love to hear from you. Please share what has been useful for you. What news sources do you suggest? What podcasts do you love? Social media accounts? Share them in the comments below. I’d also love to hear more about your strategies for living your best life as a sensitive, introverted woman. How do you protect your space? What do you do to decompress? How do you have these conversations with friends and family who just don’t get it? How do you protect your peace and peace of mind? Let’s connect.
Of course, if you want to talk with me more about any of this, I would love to hear from you. In the meantime, you can learn more about my radical introvert coaching program and how I love to encourage folks with this free, Radical Introvert Audio Training “How to Find Peace in This Fast-Paced World”. My hope for you is that you would be more able to radically embrace your true nature, unapologetically.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Enid DeJesus is an introvert and HSP coach for women located in Florida, North Carolina, New York, and beyond. She is a sensitive introvert herself and gets the struggle with wanting to be informed but not overwhelmed. Enid knows how hard it is to try to live authentically and radically as yourself with the pressure of this chaotic world to conform. That’s why Enid created her coaching program to help liberate women from the pressure to be different. To support you design your life in a way that fits your nature.
If you’re interested to start the radical introvert coaching program, wherever you are in the world, let’s talk!
