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Jennifer Trainor's avatar

Great post Katie! I’ve been mindful of what I watch for the last year or so and it has made a difference in my mental health. I read things about how we are entertaining ourselves to death and I am mindful of how so much of what they create these days is made by smart people who are purposely making us addicted. I’m trying (and failing too) to be one step ahead of the algorithms but am I really? I’m still on YouTube and Google, though, and as they say “if you’re not paying for the product, you are the product.” I ask myself throughout the day “what would a person who lives themselves do?” And that helps me make better choices in what I do next to distract myself from the chaos out there. So glad you shared this.

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cheryl's avatar

Oh, Katie! I did watch Game of Thrones. And it's absolutely brutal. The hubs and I were OBSESSED. Not sure which season it is, but the Red Wedding almost made me quit the show. This is such a poignant post. We are what we ingest - and not just food. I had to restrict my intake of political news because it's taken its toll on me. I have never been so grateful for the Philadelphia Eagles' Super Bowl celebration posts this week. It was a pleasure to joyscroll.

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Katie Bean's avatar

Yes!! Go birds!! The past two weeks have been great with all the eagles content on tv and online. Did you go to the parade? I called out of work to watch it from home! I went in 2018 and once was enough for me. Thanks for sharing that you relate - all the weddings have been horrible but yes, I think we saw that one. Brutal.

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Corie Feiner's avatar

"Anything we choose to ingest impacts our energy."

In every way!

By the way, if you would like pdf's of any of my yoga poems to read while you practice on your retreat, please do let me know.

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Katie Bean's avatar

Thanks Corie!! And I appreciate the offer. I'd love for you to join us yourself and share your beautiful poetry with us! I planned a poetry slam around the fireplace at night ~

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Corie Feiner's avatar

Oh my gosh, I don’t know if you know that I was in 1990s New York City lower Eastside slam champion

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Katie Bean's avatar

What?!?! That's absolutely amazing!! Wow. Congrats!

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Christopher Landriau's avatar

Thanks for this thoughtful reflection. I can relate to a lot of what you expressed…Winter is my season of Netflix binging, and I’ve been noticing my mixed motivations. I can feel the pull to watch, my emotional involvement with fictional characters. But then I step back, as if from a dream, and ask: is this how I want to live? Then, I get up and play the piano, which is how I stay awake.

Your analogy to food is apt. Distraction, like sweetness, may have an evolutionary purpose, but in unlimited supply it challenges us to be more mindful of our consumption and its consequences.

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Katie Bean's avatar

I do appreciate you reading and sharing this response 🙏 "is this how I want to live?" Is THE question to ask ourselves daily. Thank you for sharing it. Mindfulness matters now more than ever.

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