Much of the media will release their “2022 wrapped” articles summarizing and offering opinions on the events that defined 2022. My advice? Avoid these discussions (at least for now). The November midterms just wrapped up, which means there’s a small break (right now) between that election and the Democratic and Republican primaries, which will begin in the first quarter of 2023. I started writing this article two weeks ago, intending to release it on Friday, December 23. Writing and releasing the article is the exact opposite of taking a break. Taking a break from politics throughout January will afford you time to prepare for the coming year and avoid the distractions and headaches that often accompany politics. There will always be breaking news that merits attention. However, there is a fine line between obsession and casual observation; the line between obsession and casual observation is thinner than we think, especially with the 24-hour news cycle and the myriad of ways to consume stories.
The amount of negativity in the news is overwhelming, and the human brain was not meant to process the constant flow of global stories that continue to assault us. The internet has allowed for the ubiquity of information, but its impact on us as individuals can be extremely damaging. You can read stories about Covid in China, protests in the Middle East, and a coup d’état in Peru all before your morning bowl of cereal. The best thing to do right now? Tune it out. Avoiding a few stories or news cycles is not the end of the world. Spend time with your family, friends, and other important people. As I have gotten older, I have grown more aware of the passage of time.
Wishing you and your loved ones a healthy, prosperous, and joyous 2023! I will return with the regularly scheduled programming next week.
- Cory