Sister True Dedication, a Buddhist teacher and former BBC journalist, offers tips for keeping your head clear in the modern media landscape.
1. Take a reality check
Make use of the clarity and courage you have generated in meditation to reflect honestly on your current media diet. What’s coming in? How does it make me feel? What is it triggering?
2. Set your intentions
Decide how much time is enough for certain apps, websites, books, movies, or television series. Make a commitment like “No Facebook in the evenings. Only 10 minutes per session. No phones at the table.” Try a one-day media fast.
3. Create supportive conditions
Post your intentions on the fridge near your computer. Install time-limit apps like StayFocused or Freedom and track progress with Productive. Bite the bullet and delete apps or cancel subscriptions that are eating your time.
4. Don’t give up
It takes about 21 days to change a habit or create a new one. Take a few minutes at the end of each day to look back. You may notice obstacles or inclinations you hadn’t identified before. Look deeply into their roots and explore other ways to meet those needs.
Also read Sister True Dedication’s commentary on media consumption, “What Do You Put in Your Mind?“
