If you turn on the news, pull up social media, or listen to the radio or a podcast, you’re sucked into a larger world. While this can be fun and exciting (e.g., following someone’s travels, learning about new concepts or experiences), it can also be overwhelming. The problems of the world can start to feel like your personal responsibility. The incredible experiences or ambitions of others can make you question what you’re doing with your life (whether professionally or personally).

With so much going on in the world, it is easy to feel inadequate or helpless. You may see others’ successes and feel resentful or sad. Or, you might look at global crises and feel angry or powerless to help. Before you reach this point, it can be tremendously helpful to zoom in your lens and focus on your everyday life. In other words, it can be beneficial to live small.

I’m not suggesting that you tune out the news completely, or delete all your social media apps (although that could be the right decision for some people). Rather, I’m encouraging you to prevent these things from taking over your life. There’s a big difference between logging on or tuning in occasionally and letting news or social media take over your life and consume your thoughts.

How can you manage your media exposure and start living small? I suggest trying the following:

Set Time Limits

If you’ve found that you tend to fall into a media “black hole” and spend hours listening or scrolling, it may be a good idea to limit your consumption. Try setting time limits on scrolling, and allocate specific times to catch up on news or social media. This can help prevent it from taking over your entire day and leaving you feeling drained or overwhelmed. By setting boundaries around your media consumption, you can create a healthy balance that allows you to stay informed without letting it consume your thoughts and emotions.

Block Certain Accounts

If you know that certain news media or social accounts tend to be sources of “doom and gloom,” it is perfectly acceptable to block those accounts. Protecting your mental well-being and emotional health is essential, and curating your online content can significantly impact how you feel each day. By choosing to limit exposure to negativity and overwhelming content, you empower yourself to focus on what truly matters and cultivate a more positive mindset.

Focus on Being Present

When you zoom in your lens and start to focus on the life around you, that can significantly improve your happiness and well-being. Try focusing on being present in your daily activities, whether it’s enjoying a meal, spending time with loved ones, or engaging in a hobby. By immersing yourself in the moment, you can reduce stress, increase mindfulness, and find joy in the little things. Prioritize your well-being and find contentment in the present rather than getting overwhelmed by external influences.

Living small doesn’t isolate you from the world; rather, it empowers you to focus on your mental well-being and emotional health. By setting boundaries around your media exposure, you can prevent it from overwhelming your thoughts and emotions. Prioritizing being present in your daily life helps you find joy in the little moments and reduce stress. If you embrace this approach, it is possible to stay informed and give your happiness and well-being a boost. If you find yourself negatively affected by the news and social media, why not try living small?

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