Before I began my journey as a News Hermit, I lived with a sense of urgency—an almost compulsive need to stay informed the moment news broke. Whether it was the latest political statement, a crisis unfolding halfway around the world, or celebrity drama, I felt the pull to know immediately. But then I started asking myself: Why do I need to know immediately? What was driving this urge, and more importantly, what was it costing me?

I realized that the answers were unsettling. If I learned about a major event a week later instead of instantly, would my life change in any meaningful way? Would my delayed awareness make me any less informed or capable of understanding the event? Absolutely not. And what about my behavior? Did this rush of information spur me into positive action? Was I bettering myself or contributing to the world around me when I reacted on impulse? The honest answer was no.

So, I asked myself more questions:

• Is this news enhancing my understanding of the world, or is it merely adding to the noise?
• What am I sacrificing by being perpetually plugged in? (The answer was my peace of mind, my focus, and my connection with things that truly matter.)
• What would happen if I gave myself permission to let go of the need to know everything as it happened? (I imagined freedom, clarity, and more room to think deeply.)

The truth is, most news that feels urgent in the moment won’t change our day-to-day lives. Rarely does an instant update require an immediate reaction or adjustment in our actions. When we acknowledge this, we see that breaking news is often more about feeding our curiosity and adrenaline than fostering meaningful understanding or growth.

So, I choose to step back and embrace a different way. I decided to reclaim my time and mental space by giving myself the permission to hear about events when they fit into my life, not the other way around. By doing this, I can approach news with a clearer mind, engage thoughtfully, and prioritize the information that genuinely matters.