Freeing My Mind From the Noise
Lately, I have been experiencing a deep sense of mental fatigue. Not from work. Not from ambition. But from the nonstop cycle of bad news, outrage, and rage bait that floods our screens every single day. It feels relentless. Designed to provoke anger, fear, and despair rather than understanding or progress.
As a Black man, this fatigue hits on a different level. It is painful to constantly see stories highlighting Black people doing heinous, destructive things. I understand statistics. I understand context. Black people make up roughly 13 percent of the population, yet we are often overrepresented in crime coverage and negative narratives. Seeing that imbalance repeatedly can wear on your spirit, especially when you know how much brilliance, integrity, and potential exist within our community.
What makes it worse is the growing normalization of scamming, deception, and exploitation. Too many people are chasing shortcuts instead of building something real. Hearing stories of people pretending to be delivery workers to commit murder in cold blood is beyond disturbing. It is heartbreaking. It leaves you asking how we got here, and more importantly, how we get out.
At some point, I realized something important. Consuming this content does not make me more informed. It makes me heavier. It does not equip me to fix the problem. It simply leaves me discouraged. And if I cannot take action on what I am consuming, then it is just draining my energy and clarity.
That realization led to a decision. I want to free my mind from unnecessary negativity and refocus my attention on becoming a better, more productive version of myself.
This past Christmas, my wife gifted me several books focused on leadership, growth, and mindset. That alone felt like a reminder of who I am choosing to become. Throughout the year, I have bookmarked countless positive posts, ideas, and lessons that inspired me. Those are the things I want to return to. Those are the voices that shape my thoughts.
In 2026, I plan to increase the number of books I read each year intentionally. And yes, audiobooks count. Knowledge is knowledge. Growth is growth. The format does not matter nearly as much as the consistency.
As an author, I understand the power of thought, belief, and focus. Some might call it blasphemy to tune out the news. I call it discipline. From now on, I am limiting my exposure to bad news unless it is something I can actively address, improve, or influence. If I cannot do anything about it, there is no value in letting it live rent-free in my mind.
This is not denial. It is discernment.
The world will always have noise. Rage will always sell. Fear will always grab attention. But peace, clarity, and progress require intention. I choose to feed my mind with what strengthens me, not what weakens me.
My focus moving forward is simple. Growth over gloom. Purpose over panic. Action over outrage.
And most importantly, becoming the best version of myself so I can contribute something meaningful to the world, rather than be consumed by its chaos.