On November 8, 2017 I decided to stop looking at FaceBook
I was disillusioned at the content and disappointed in myself for wasting so much time every day looking at mundane things which added no value to my life.
It was easy to quit, no twelve step program or going to FaceBookaholics Anonymous meetings, I just closed my account and moved on
1,456 days later I have no regrets and my true friends found other ways to keep in touch
Early in 2020, I do not recall the exact date, I made a decision to stop watching the news, both TV and internet
After a lifetime of addiction to daily news, I suddenly became aware that being constantly fed negative sensationalized stories did nothing to make me a better person
Being informed of the minute details of a distant natural disaster or terrorist attack that I could not influence just added unnecessary stress to my life
I do care about things and donate both my time and money to causes that matter to me
Abandoning the news was not as simple as deleting an App on my phone, I had to make conscious decisions not to tune into news channels
It was harder to break the habit of reading online news especially when you Google a current affairs subject because the top results are almost always news outlets
You have to dig a little deeper to find data on matters that interest you but also be skeptical about anything you read being true or factual
When I walk into a room today where TV news is being broadcast, I simply ignore it by listening to music on a headphone or engaging in conversation
So I am saying a huge thank you today to FaceBook, CNN, NBC, BBC and all the other media sources that used to take up 2 hours or more of my day
Thank you for leaving my life and gifting me that time to do other things of my choice like riding my bike, reading, writing, having interesting conversations with friends or engaging in a project to improve my home or myself
Imagine how this extra time gained daily adds up, over the next decade I will have the equivalent of 12 months news and social media free gifted time for myself
Its like having your life expectancy increased by 10% with the additional bonus of being less stressed
I am grateful for still being alive today during the Covid-19 Pandemic, and even more grateful for not having been spoon-fed the 24/7 toxic news on this subject
If important things happen out there that could effect my life, others advise me of it
Time is precious, I am determined to spend mine on things which bring me joy and fulfillment
Cheeky Monkey Poetry 
I too stopped watching the news in late 2020 for the same reasons. I sleep better and have less anxiety and a clearer head. I do read the newspapers knowing I have a choice to read or not to read an article. I think we are not alone.
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Very impressive.we’ve done this to a degree but I can’t imagine the extent to which you have deleted toxic news from your life. Great results though. You are definitely one of the most curious, well rounded, and interesting people I know. No wonder!
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I hear you. I must admit that I am addicted to the news. I am careful for what I listen to. I fear that we are on the road to losing our democracy, as misinformation has challenged science, history, education, etc. Our society has dummied down to where misinformation, anger, violence has suggested we are entering a second dark ages. My husband and I both have Ph.ds in scientific fields. We believe in critical thinking and the vigorous scientific method. We look at the present situation with great sadness and disbelief.
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I can really identify with this piece. I haven’t stopped Facebook but I don’t spend much time on it. I stay away from toxic posts and have unfollowed a few folks. I don’t watch the news on TV or listen to it, even my flash briefing on Alexa. I do get emailed headlines from the Wash Post and pick and choose what I want to read. I especially like the Optimism email. I think your illustrations of time saved really make the point. I shared your post with some of my friends.
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I was never on Facebook and never will be. I value my privacy too much. Want to know what I’m doing? Call me! Anyway, I imagine George Orwell is turning over in his grave
And after 50 years, I still get the New York Times delivered to my doorstep. I don’t watch the news on TV either and only check the Internet from time to time to see what’s going on in the world; I only use reliable sources.
Life is too short and, like you, I don’t want to spend it staring at a screen.
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