The Power of Habitual Consumption

If you continually expose your mind to negative news, it will become conditioned to seek out more of the same. You'll find yourself in a state of dismay over the world's injustices, often feeling compelled to seek out additional negativity. This behavior becomes normalized by societal trends.

Similarly, engaging in gossip trains your brain to pursue similar discussions. You might find yourself inquiring about your friend's disputes or complaining about family matters.

What you provide your brain will determine what it craves, often without your conscious awareness. Allowing certain habits to persist can lead you to forget what is genuinely beneficial. Many engage in detrimental behaviors on autopilot, seldom questioning their impact.

Take smoking, for instance. Some individuals despise the habit yet continue to smoke due to years of conditioning, lacking a conscious choice in their actions.

As Dr. Joe Dispenza states, “95% of who we are by the time we’re 35 years old is a memorized set of behaviors, emotional reactions, unconscious habits, hardwired attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions that function like a computer program.” This implies we operate with only 5% of conscious thought, and it’s crucial to use this to tap into the remaining 95% of ourselves.

A Shift in Perspective

Currently, individuality and self-awareness are more prominent than ever. The pandemic and resulting lockdowns prompted many of us to reflect on our previous lifestyles. Concepts like mindfulness and self-love are becoming increasingly significant, with many, including myself, exploring their meanings.

For some, this period has sparked a reevaluation of traditional work paradigms. Numerous companies in the UK have transitioned to permanent remote work arrangements, demonstrating the benefits that some find outweigh the advantages of conventional office settings. As a society, we are rethinking work-life balance.

Time Reallocation

The time previously spent commuting and scrolling through social media can now be directed towards reading or enjoying quality moments with loved ones.

The coffee machine acquired from Amazon Prime Day now replaces the daily lattes you used to buy at work.

Your lunch breaks, once consumed by work thoughts, are now spent relaxing with your partner and watching Netflix before returning to your makeshift home office.

It’s only natural to question the quality of information you’re consuming. You might wonder what steps you can take to enhance your mental capacity and achieve your objectives.

Purging the Mind

Les Brown advises, "Avoid head trash. Don’t be a garbage can for anything that does not feed your intellect, stimulate your imagination, or make you a more compassionate peaceful person." It’s essential to disregard anything that fosters conflict or negativity, as such influences can infiltrate your mindset and lead to cynicism.

We often consume a great deal of unnecessary information without recognizing it. To improve our knowledge intake, we must become conscious of how our current habits contribute to our growth.

Once we acknowledge harmful habits, we can formulate a strategy to eliminate them and establish new guidelines.

As noted in Sparring Mind, “There is a real risk in excessive passivity—the habit of merely consuming information put in front of you, rather than actively cultivating knowledge in areas that are valuable to you.” This suggests that unfiltered information can hinder our development and distract us from our goals.

The Dangers of Technology

Social media can be a source of mindless content. I recently reevaluated my relationship with my phone after realizing I often zoned out while scrolling. Notably, my young son even pointed out my distraction.

While technology can be beneficial, its impact depends on how we utilize it. I often found myself using my phone without intention, so I've shifted to a more purposeful approach.

When I use my phone, it’s typically for specific reasons: - Research and Learning (when my laptop isn’t handy). - Posting related to my writing career. - Engaging with others on topics of interest like writing and success. - Brief News Updates (headlines suffice). - Comedy (usually better than traditional news—Trevor Noah is a favorite). - Following Inspirational Figures who add value to my life.

The outcome? I’ve become more productive and my child is happier, free from my previous phone-induced trance.

The key lies in mindful and intentional technology use.

Steering Clear of Gossip

While many claim to dislike gossip, few actively distance themselves from it. It's inherently unfair to speak negatively about someone not present to defend themselves. Judging others without context is both unkind and a waste of mental energy.

Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people.”

Gossip can create anxiety, as the fear of being judged behind one's back is distressing. It can lead to bullying and other harmful behaviors, affecting both children and adults.

Research by Elsevier GmbH revealed a correlation between negative gossip and burnout in workplaces, indicating that it can diminish job satisfaction across various sectors.

To counteract gossip, I employ Socrates’ Triple Filter Test. Before sharing information, I ask: 1. Is it true? 2. Is it good? 3. Is it useful?

If the answer is no to any of these, I refrain from sharing.

While not all gossip is harmful, we must evaluate its value and filter out conversations that don’t contribute positively to our lives.

Limiting News Intake

Many news outlets prioritize entertainment over neutrality. Even those claiming impartiality select content based on viewer engagement.

I prefer late-night comedy shows that aim to entertain rather than alarm. News channels often employ emotionally charged language to capture attention, making you feel as though the world is against you.

As Mark Twain stated, “If you don’t read the newspapers, you’re uninformed. If you do, you’re misinformed.”

Licensed psychologist Logan Jones warns that much of today’s news serves to keep audiences hooked rather than informed.

To protect mental well-being while staying updated, consider: - Asking friends or family for news updates instead of consuming it yourself. - Reading just the main headlines and summaries of articles. - Sticking to reputable sources to avoid sensationalized content. - Infusing humor into your day. - Reflecting on how to turn news into constructive action.

Conclusion

You have the power to control your mind and can learn to filter what enters it. By eliminating distractions, you can shape your environment and enhance your circumstances.

Use technology to your advantage by being discerning in its application. Invest time in meaningful relationships and limit exposure to news that may negatively affect your emotional state.

Awareness of your reactions to your surroundings is crucial. By recognizing what impacts you positively, you can choose to focus on those elements and work towards your goals.

Best of luck!

Sylvia Emokpae, a thinker and philosopher, is passionate about self-love, motherhood, and racial equity. Discover more of her work.

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