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Choosing Peace Over Panic: Why I Stopped Reading the News

To Read the News or Not to Read the News?

Growing up, I always enjoyed following the news. It felt natural, like part of my DNA. I still vividly remember being 13 and reading Danas, a progressive political magazine in the former Yugoslavia. My parents subscribed to it, and their animated debates about politics and world events often spilled over into our dinner table conversations. As a teenager, I eagerly devoured those pages, not fully understanding everything but feeling drawn to the energy of ideas and the urgency of political discourse. I suppose growing up in a country on the brink of disintegration imprints a kind of political gene in you—a deep awareness of conflict, change, and how power shapes the world.

Fast forward to last week. I sat down to watch Donald Trump’s inauguration. I lasted about 15 minutes before I had to turn it off. My chest felt tight, my thoughts spiraled, and I realized I was heading toward a full-blown panic. Something in me broke open in that moment: I could no longer keep up with the daily barrage of news. The constant feed of anxiety-inducing headlines from The Guardian or The New York Times—what once felt like an intellectual habit—had become suffocating. The news had stopped informing me; it was consuming me.

So, I made a decision: no more daily news consumption.

Why Stop Reading the News?

To be clear, this wasn’t an easy decision. Part of me worried, Isn’t this irresponsible? Isn’t staying informed part of being an engaged citizen? But I had to confront the truth: following the news, especially in its current form, was harming me. It wasn’t just the inauguration. The relentless stream of crisis reporting—wars, environmental collapse, political chaos—captured my imagination in the darkest of ways. Worse, it paralyzed me. I wasn’t inspired to act; I felt strangled by fear.

And here’s the kicker: there was nothing I could do about most of it. Watching the world unravel through a screen left me feeling small, powerless, and disconnected. That’s when I realized that the most responsible thing I could do wasn’t to keep watching—it was to redirect my energy toward something constructive.

What to Do Instead?

Rather than being immobilized by fear, I asked myself: What kind of world do I want to live in? How can I actively work toward that vision? These questions became my guideposts. I began turning away from the news and toward practices and ideas that build peace and resilience—not just in the world, but within myself.

One transformative moment was discovering the School for Peace Studies here in Zagreb. The program, which I recently joined, has been an incredible resource. It’s teaching me to understand the root causes of conflict and how to transform it. For years, my Buddhist practice has helped me work with inner conflict—learning how to stay present, calm my mind, and respond with compassion. Now, through peace studies, I’m learning how to bring those same principles to the broader world. Nonviolence is no longer just a personal philosophy; it’s becoming an active, practical way to engage with the world.

This shift has also opened up new possibilities for how I use my skills. As a yoga and meditation teacher, I’ve often focused on helping individuals find balance and clarity. But in the context of today’s challenges, I see an opportunity to expand that work into something larger. Teaching mindfulness and movement can be a tool for building communities of care and resilience. It’s a way to counteract fear and division with connection and healing.

The Healing Power of the Senses

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Another essential part of this journey has been reconnecting with my senses. When I stopped drowning in the news, I found myself craving ways to return to my body, to ground myself in the here and now. And I discovered something profound: engaging with the senses is incredibly healing.

Cooking has become my new passion. In the kitchen, I lose myself in the simple, joyful process of preparing food. Chopping vegetables, stirring a bubbling pot, inhaling the aroma of spices—it’s a meditation in itself. Cooking brings me back to the present moment, where I can savour the tangible beauty of creating something nourishing. There’s something deeply satisfying about seeing the results of your effort—a colourful, fragrant dish that you can share with others or simply enjoy yourself.

These practices have taught me that grounding ourselves in the senses isn’t just about self-care; it’s also a way to cultivate resilience. When the world feels overwhelming, returning to the body and the present moment can be a powerful antidote to anxiety. Cooking reminds me that even in uncertain times, there is joy to be found in the simple act of creating.

The Power of Positive News

Another change I’ve made is curating what I consume. Instead of doom-scrolling through traditional news outlets, I’ve started seeking out positive news. Did you know David Byrne (yes, the musician!) started a magazine called Reasons to Be Cheerful? It highlights stories of innovation, kindness, peace and progress—small but meaningful ways people are solving problems and improving their communities. Reading these stories has been a game-changer. They remind me that even in dark times, there are countless acts of courage and creativity happening all over the world.

Building a Better Dialogue

One of the most surprising insights from stepping back from the news is how it’s opened up space for real conversations. Instead of discussing the latest headlines, I’ve started asking people how they’re coping with the state of the world. What tools or resources are they turning to? How are they finding hope and peace within? These conversations are often more meaningful—and more inspiring—than anything I’ve read in the papers.

Through these exchanges, I’ve learned about grassroots movements, local initiatives, and personal practices that are helping people stay grounded and engaged. It’s a reminder that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. But collectively, we can share ideas and support each other in finding our own ways to contribute.

Choosing Peace Over Panic: Why I Stopped Reading the News

An Act of Resistance

In a world that thrives on fear and outrage, choosing to disengage from the cycle of anxiety is an act of resistance. It’s not about ignoring reality—it’s about refusing to let it overwhelm you. By turning my focus toward education, action, and connection, I’m finding new ways to stay engaged without losing my sense of hope or agency.

If you’ve been feeling similarly trapped by the news, I encourage you to pause and ask yourself: What would happen if I stepped back? What could I do with the time and energy I’ve been spending on staying “informed”?

For me, the answer has been transformative. By stepping away from the headlines, I’m stepping into a more intentional, creative, and hopeful way of engaging with the world. I’m learning to imagine—and work toward—the kind of future I want to live in. And that, I believe, is a far more powerful way to resist.

Now, let me ask you: How are you coping with the current state of affairs? How are you finding peace? What tools or resources have been helpful for you? Let’s share ideas and build something better—together.

2 replies
  1. John Rievers
    John Rievers says:

    This is a very interesting topic to me – talked with many friends about it, the last months. My strategy to cope with the growing frustration.. even disillusionment from reading news: I read less than usual.. less often and less international but more regional. But it doesn’t work.. it’s like closing one eye watching a horror movie i can’t bear. You encouraged me to stop fully.. and not having a bad conscience about it! Thanks for that!

    What’s grounding me is walking (not strolling but getting my heart a little bit into motion). Preferably in the nature.. best to or at the water. I’m doing it without headphones and the desire to connect with other people by chance.

    And I’m fully backing your recommendation of cooking! And sharing it!

    And I found an app that could have a similar idea as David Byrnes magazine: Squirrel News. They are collecting progressive, positive journalism – reporting of amazing projects – highlightning creative solutions.

    Thanks for motivating! Your constructiveness lifts my optimism!

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