Released On 26 November 2024

Anushka's blog: Change in Perspective

Dropping my copy of Metro in the recycle bin as I exit the tube station joining the sombre masses heading to work, I wondered how much of the news we had just ingested contributed to this general malaise.

The next day, I listed the topics in the paper that had caught my attention and registered their effect on me:

Celebrities and young people who have tragically died;
Floodings and climate apocalypse fear;
Random murders of people, more often women and children;
Government and business corruption and despair in those we trust;
Wars and devastating photos;
Taxes going up and stories of the economy struggling and general despondenceydue to lack of understanding on the subject or how we could ever foreseeably repay our national debt;
Obvious advice that if you are not sleeping enough, eating well and exercising, there are health risks and the accompanying guilt at not attaining this;
FOMO at pictures of beautiful celebrities partying and holidaying;
Adverts for aspirational items and holidays you can’t afford;
Houses and interiors of people who have more money than you;
Crosswords and puzzles you struggle to do.

I then switched perspective.

I started the day with basic gratitude for my health, the sunlight I saw out of my window as I woke, my scrumptious breakfast, hot shower, family and the fact that I have a job to maintain all this. I appreciated the fresh air and light on my walk to the station, that I would get a free newspaper.

I approach the newspaper with the understanding that this is geared to narrate stories with shock value headlines. I recognise that I am fortunate to be reading these stories and that they are not happening to me and that there is a minute chance that they ever will do. I’m appreciative that being forewarned is being forearmed. I am cognisant that newspapers need advertising revenue to be in circulation and that a significant percentage of news stories are PR generated and there for that reason. The holidays, goods and homes are showcased to be sold to us and drive the desire for things we don’t need. The pharma, food and wellness industries are big business and stories with advice should be heeded with this in mind.

If anything has troubled you by what you read, maybe it can incite you to positive action like signing petitions, emailing your local MP, volunteering or educating others on the subject. It should at least provoke you to read more widely on the subject and accumulate different views, which is a crucial skill these days in an era of fake news and partisan views. It is also worth remembering that it is pointless to worry about issues outside of our immediate control.

On the puzzles front, take it from me that practice makes perfect and it’s great to have the opportunity to improve!

Anushka works full time for a professional services firm, is married with two kids aged 12 and 13.

Wellbeing