BREAK THE INFORMATION CONSUMPTION OBSESSION CYCLE
Reclaim Your Life
When you remember that the US election is coming soon how do you feel?
Is it a sense of dread?
If your body is instinctively bracing for the onslaught, it’s because you know it’s going to be one more thing competing for your mind and your feelings, and it’s easy to lose yourself in a dopamine-driven information addiction.
If you’ve been there you know.
LIVE WORKSHOP
March 26th
12pm-2pm EST – On zoom
$25.00 CAD
The Information Consumption
Obsession Cycle
Details vary but basically, it looks like this:
> At first you’re seeking out more information because you’re feeling some mix of unsettled, scared, frustrated, upset, angry, powerless, and you’re trying to make it make sense.
> Over time your information consumption becomes more like a habit you’re feeding and you’re seeking out the familiar emotional jolts you get.
> You don’t know which jolt mix will be triggered, sometimes it’s self-righteousness because you’re on the good side, sometimes rage at those who aren’t, fear of what’s next, or sometimes grief and frustration at what you can’t control.
> The jolts give you an adrenaline rush and you need bigger and bigger jolts.
> The emotional jolts also hit you when you don’t expect them. You might be on Instagram watching alpaca videos and the next thing you know something comes into your feed and “boom” your nervous system is triggered yet again.
> You know it’s not healthy, but you tell yourself it’s important to be informed and you don’t want to be ignorant or apathetic. You feel guilty if you get too far away from it and getting sucked in feels like something you need to do.
> But the roller coaster of feelings is exhausting, and sometimes you need to shut yourself down a bit because you just can’t handle more. Maybe throw in some binge eating or something to zone out. You know you should take care of yourself but…
> You just want things to be normal again.
> On the surface you’re going on with your job, your friends, your life, but on the inside, it feels like you hit the pause button because you’re not as engaged in your own life. Exhausted and waiting for normal.
Research has consistently shown that constant exposure to distressing news can lead to:
- Higher levels of stress and anxiety
- Increased anxiety and mood disturbances
- Compulsive behaviour, disrupting daily routines, sleep patterns, and overall well-being
- Desensitization to violence and tragedy, potentially reducing empathy and compassion
When you get lost in the information consumption obsession cycle and your nervous system gets dysregulated you miss the joy, connection, and love that’s already in your life. You miss out on new connections and experiences that feed your soul.
When you’re getting jolted into feelings of sadness, rage, fear, or the righteous indignation that can come with judging people you disagree with, without taking time to process them, it’s not only amplifying the feelings of conflict within you, it’s keeping you from the ingredients of true lasting change: understanding, compassion, curiosity, and imagination.
Ironically, if you really want to make a difference, this cycle makes it harder to do anything.
THIS IS A BIG DEAL
You can’t control world events so you must decide if you want to break out of this self-destructive cycle.
There’s another way to do this.
You can stay informed.
You can still care deeply.
You will still have feelings and opinions.
Without turning into a dysregulated disconnected information addict.
Learn how at the upcoming live workshop:
WORKSHOP:
Break the Information Consumption Obsession Cycle:
Reclaim Your Life
Slipping into the cycle is easy because we’re already wired to pay attention to anything that might be a threat. Breaking the cycle takes intention. Four steps work together:
Self-Awareness and Clarity
Take a step back to assess your specific information obsession cycle patterns including what triggers them, what you get out of it, and the impact it has been having on your life.
Nervous System
Identify the feedback loops you have been experiencing between your mind and body as a result of the information consumption in order to begin retraining yourself.
Motivation
Get clarity on why you want to break out of these self-destructive patterns.
Plan
Decide how you would like to consume and engage with information and make a plan that you can implement immediately.
Break the Patterns Now
When you’re breaking your pattern at first it feels weird, like you’re doing something wrong. You’re going to crave an information binge but once you know exactly how to stay connected and allow the urge to pass, this will taper off. You will have space for your thoughts.
You will find more ease and peace of mind.
More connection.
Be more intentional with where you put your energy and more powerful in what you create.
Don’t lose yourself.
Sign up now.
