Media

Media in my eyes include everything we consume in our leisure time like YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Reddit, Movies and even the blogs and books you read. It’s all information that our brain has to process constantly and take value from. I know what you’re thinking, 

“But Richu, isn’t it supposed to be for entertainment?”

Yes, it is. Everything I categorized as media is for entertainment and is meant to be used in our leisure time. But that’s not what’s happening. Since we’re living in the information age, media has creeped into everything, including our social life. Every day, we are constantly bombarded with a steady stream of information, let it be from the never ending Instagram feed or the all-knowing YouTube algorithm. We are constantly consuming. 

“But Richu, isn’t more information better?”

Well actually no, I believe that less is actually more in the case of media. In my opinion, when we constantly feed our brain information, our brain has little to no time to reflect on what it just saw. We might have seen something that moved or motivated us, but we SWIPE, and it goes under the pile, only to be thought again when it inevitably shows up in our feed again. This is the main problem in my eyes, that we don’t sit with that thought or reflect on them. But what if there’s nothing to reflect on?

We consume 80% garbage and 20% value. Just as an example, take a second and think back on all the things you saw on social media or YouTube today. Did you even learn anything of use, or was it just garbage? Garbage isn’t the movie that you went out to see with your friends or the updates you get from your family on social media. It’s the insignificant entertainment or as I like to call it filler entertainment we consume. Now think of the bigger picture, how much of this filler entertainment do you consume in a week or a month. The thing is, with this new age, what’s not taught to us, is that It’s our job to change up this ratio

In my experience when I quit everything and my media list was shortened to just books and the occasional blogs, I saw a drastic difference in the amount of value I got from them. Let’s say I read a blog about social media that was interesting to me. Since I don’t move on to the next thing, my brain starts reflecting on what I just saw, and usually that thought stays with me throughout the day. I start asking myself questions that I once might not have, and it often leads me to question my own actions and thoughts and what I can do to improve them.

How? 

I have 2 main tips, which are change your media list and limit your usage

First thing is changing up the ratio I mentioned above. Just reflect on the type of content you watch every day and ask yourself if it’s providing you with any value. Get rid of the filler entertainments or minimize them at least and keep the real ones. The dozens of snaps you sent each day, the dozens of reels you swipe through, the constant refreshes of twitter etc. are all fillers. Also, I made up that ratio out of thin air, just assuming from what my friends and family watch, so take it with a pinch of salt.

My media list consist of books and blogs, and it’s definitely an extreme. But whatever list you come up with, the next thing is to limit the amount. You already know it, give your brain time to breath (lol). I usually take a break when I finish a book, or I keep my currently reading books varied, so it’s at least I have different things to think about. If you’re using social media’s or YouTube a lot, designate a time when you’ll be active or the simple act of unfollowing or unsubscribing to things that’s taking up your time can also work to an extend

Reflection on the media you do consume is something that will come naturally, when your brain has nothing else to think about. I have already made a post about “The Importance of Self-reflection“ (read it HERE). Also, It will be hard in the beginning if you’re someone not used to the silence that was once filled with filler entertainment. But if you actually try, I’m sure you’ll start having meaningful conversations with yourself on the media you consume and the value they provide.