I put myself on a diet, but it’s got nothing to do with food.

If I was to use the analogy of calorie intake and nutrition, as we all know, the lucky amongst us have access to healthier options, choices which provide nourishment and benefits to our health.   Then there’s junk food, a guilty pleasure, a treat. 

Let’s apply that to media.   From time to time, I find myself saturated with junk media, and succumb to a cycle of bad choices.  Its seductive – ask anyone who has a sneaky chocolate bar hidden in their desk drawer.  Just a quick peek to see what some child star looks like now, or gawp at the train wreck of some celebrity’s failed relationship.   Before long its 11.00 pm and you’re slumped over the computer reading and feeling crap from all those empty “calories”.

Instagram feeds are clogged with the professionally privileged, perfectly arranged and barely attired pondering one of life’s great mysteries in the middle distance, and making us all feel just a little less valid.    Articles pop up about some carefree couple circumnavigating the world on a Segway,  seemingly unencumbered by the need for such mundane things as an income, or a plan for the future, for when her boobs drop and he develops a prostate issue.  

Can you see what happens?  You get bitter and cynical and just……..Over. It.

So, I am undertaking a detox.  I am giving my valuable time to media which brings me something.  Written by the real and the normal, with all their struggles, faults, humour and enthusiasm.    And a good part of it – fellow wordpress writers – is you.    Thank you x