I was randomly scrolling through Twitter when I saw a controversial tweet that aggravated an onslaught of engagement. I decided to check the comments under the post, and as I scrolled through the flood of comments, I noticed that there was a particular comment I couldn’t see because I had blocked the account. It wasn’t a familiar account, so that heightened my curiosity; when and why would I have blocked a random stranger I have never engaged? So I probed further by unblocking the account and checking the page. As soon as I opened the page, I recalled immediately why I blocked the account. She had posted a picture of herself which I considered sexually provocative and I didn’t like the effect it had on me, so I blocked her and the person who retweeted the post to my page. After that, I went ahead to check blocked accounts, muted accounts and muted words and I realized that in the course of cleansing my Timeline, I have had to block and mute a lot of accounts and words. This is not a flex though. The real “flex” for me is that I have filtered what my mind consumes and while Twitter maybe generally toxic, I have created a healthy space for myself, where I learn, get verified information, get useful reminders and have a healthy laugh.
Our minds are actually feebler than we acknowledge. The mind sensitively feeds on whatever we feed it, and whatever the mind consumes no matter how subtle profoundly influences our subconscious. Particularly, in today's digital age, where we are constantly bombarded with a pandemic of ‘unfiltered’ media content, it behooves us to be discerning about what we expose our minds to. Most movies, books, and social media outlets are proliferated with oversexualized themes, unnecessary sexual imagery and meaningless ideals that subconsciously whisper into the recesses of our consciousness, heightening sexual tension, distorting understanding of healthy relationships, and sowing seeds of skewed perception. People perpetuate harmful and embittered stereotypes, glamorize immorality and romanticize unrealistic expectations and whether we are aware of it or not, these ideas, values, and perspectives subtly shape our thoughts, beliefs, and behaviours. This is why a lady who has never directly hurt by a man would strongly despise men unprovoked and she can’t even fathom why. It is also why some men are so insecure about their partner’s commitment even when they have never been cheated on before.
Engaging in mindful consumption means actively choosing content that enriches our lives, promotes positive growth, and aligns with our values. Mindful consumption allows us to curate a healthier media diet, focusing on content that inspires, educates, and uplifts us. It is not about suppressing diverse perspectives or limiting our exposure, but rather, it is taking charge of our mental diet to promote mental and emotional well-being.With mindful consumption, we're the architects of our cognitive sanctum, the narrators of our thoughts, feelings, and actions. The art of filtering aids us in gaining self-awareness, and understanding the effects of content on our psyche. By filtering out unnecessary noise and distractions, we create space for clarity, allow focus to flourish, and gift ourselves the cognitive serenity we cherish.
So here are a few suggestions on how you can inculcate a habit of conscious media consumption.
1. Reflect on personal values: Engaging in mindful media consumption is akin to embarking on a purposeful journey through a vast digital landscape. It's a journey that becomes all the more meaningful when guided by a well-defined compass of values and beliefs. Identify the values and beliefs that are important to you and use them as a guiding compass when choosing the content you consume.
2. Take Periodic digital Detoxes: Set aside specific times, whether it's a daily hour of screen-free solitude or periodic Social media break. Just carve out a block of time – where you power down your devices and power up your connection to the real world. You might immerse yourself in the pages of a captivating book, engage in a meaningful face-to-face conversation, or simply relish the quietude of nature. A digital detox is a counterbalance, a way to recalibrate our attention and attune to the present moment. It's about intentionally carving out a sanctuary of quietude amidst the digital noise.
3. Curate Social Media Feeds: Be selective about the individuals and accounts you follow on social media. Surround yourself with positive, uplifting, and informative content that inspires and motivates you.
4. Stay Informed, but Discerning: Stay updated with current events, but not all trending online gist is your business. Pick your battle wisely. Avoid sensationalism or clickbait posts.
5. Practice mindful media consumption: Before engaging with media, take a moment to consider its potential impact on your well-being. Ask yourself if it aligns with your values and contributes to personal growth.
6. Seek Balance: Strive for a balanced media diet that includes a variety of perspectives, genres, and subjects. Avoid excessive consumption of any single type of content.
This was a good read. I wish you luck in your bar exams
Sad to see you take a pause, happy that it's for a better cause.
I will miss the monthly dose of your newsletter, see you in flying colors bi idni llah.
Baaroka Llahu feekum..