VirtualExile

Over at the New York Times website, the top of the page shows seven news stories, five of their headlines or blurbs mention "Trump".  I thought after the impeachment trial ended on Saturday we'd have one more day of Trump headlines on Sunday, but now it is Monday and the Times can't stop reporting on Trump yet.

The Washington Post does better, although its very top story is about Trump, the other seven top stories are not.

The Wall Street Journal does even better, its very top story is not about Trump, only one other top story mentions him.

NYT -- it's time to let go!  Focus on what the new president is doing.

Nothing I read, do, or say is going to affect the outcome.  Reading the daily horse-race stories, looking at the polls, looking at the statistical models ... writing in my journal ... none of it is going to affect the outcome.  I've requested my mail-in ballot, I know who I'm going to vote for, but it doesn't matter in Maryland, we're not a swing state.  I'm not rich enough to make a dent in the fundraising totals of any candidate (and I already have monthly donations set up for some of them anyway).

I've tried going on news diets before, when I've felt overly anxious or spun up about things.

As for COVID-19, I'm sure when a vaccine is approved for use in the US I'll hear about it, even if I never visit a news website or turn on NPR.  There's really nothing else to do about COVID-19 at this point except remain hunkered down as I've been, until there's a vaccine.

I've been such a news junkie for so long, would I really give it all up?

This is the sort of stuff I think about when I'm more committed to meditating.  And Goddess Damn It, if there's anything I'm going to achieve this year, during Quarantine, as I turn 53, it is going to be establishing a daily meditation habit.

OK, let's see how long I can do a news blackout.  Starting at approximately Noon on September 1, 2020.