Modern News | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Modern News

When is it okay to disconnect?

24
Modern News

It's been a hard few weeks, and that's an understatement.

Dallas. Alton Sterling. Philando Castile. Pulse. I don't seek to devalue the commentary surrounding each one of these events, but I do have to ask myself a hard question: at what point is it okay to step back and disconnect for a little while?

Listen, it's our responsibility to know what's going on. There are discussions that need to happen. There are voices to be heard, debates to be had, and actions to take.

But we live in a new age: the age of technology, social media, and the Internet.

We exist in a global web of 24/7 information. As I'm bombarded with local and worldwide headlines via social media, news outlets, and television--cue Brexit debates, U.S. shootings, or the recent bombing in Baghdad--I'm reminded that there's only so much caring I can do at one time. It's easy to be overwhelmed in this age of interconnectedness. This incredible linking of perspectives and lives across the globe comes with a price.

Never before have we been so aware of how much brokenness exists.

Sometimes, I have to sign out of Facebook. Sometimes, I need to turn off the TV. Sometimes, I have to close that news site. Sometimes, I have to let myself rest.

This disconnecting is a luxury and a privilege. Some people live in the middle of these headlines; they don't have the privilege of "disconnecting." Some people live in war zones. Some people face danger every day, just for existing. Some people face danger when they go to work, wondering if this is the day their job costs them their life.

In that urgent light, it's easy to mistake my retreat for passiveness--even selfishness. How dare I hit the mute button on all these problems? There's so much to fix; we have to give it everything we've got. This is a mindset I see in so many of my friends, and in the millennial generation as a whole: we care, and we care hard.

We have to stay informed. But in an age where we're immersed in 24/7 information--a good chunk of it bad news--it's easy to just burn out. If you fight every battle--if you throw yourself into every headline--you're going to wind up losing yourself. Sometimes I need to log out, take a walk, and re-center. It's easy to get knocked off-balance by all these bad things.

If you need a little while, take it. Know what's happening in the world, but don't feel shame for taking care of yourself. You'll come back stronger for taking a break; we'll get through this stuff.



Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Relationships

10 Facts All People In A Large Family Can Confirm During The Holiday Season

The holiday season can be the best and most stressful time of the year, especially when more people are involved.

1323
kids jumping

The holidays are full of lights, sweets, sweaters, and your favorite movies. There's nothing quite like this period from the beginning of December through January. Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Years. The fun of it all.

I don't know about you but with my large Italian family something is always going on during this season. It can be the most wonderful time of the year while also being the most hectic. These are a few things you know if your family is anything like mine during this time.

Keep Reading...Show less
10 things that happen the second Thanksgiving is over
reference.com

To those who celebrate, you just spent an entire day cooking an elaborate meal with all of your favorite foods. You probably ate your body weight in pumpkin pie and mashed potatoes. What happens now? Oh yea, Christmas. It’s time to take out all of the decorations and Christmas themed things that have been sitting in the attic since last year; it’s time to make a reappearance. So, here are 10 things that happen the second Thanksgiving is over.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

4515
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

2777
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

202171
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments