Perhaps we can all learn a lesson from self-aware Zoomers.
Not a lesson on proper emoji use, dating apps, or the current hip language of the day.
Instead, some of Generation Z sense they need a break from the news. In fact, they know they need a break. In an age of constant stimuli, negativity, advertisements, and sensationalism, some of the youngest and most savvy media consumers are planning to check out temporarily.
With news networks barraging our senses daily with click-bait material, it's no surprise that many of us eventually feel we need to step away. Unfortunately, negative news sells, and we are all highly willing buyers.
This politician was caught in a scandal, while another decided to ruin the country, if not the planet.
How could citizens possibly vote for him? How could our neighbors maybe trust her?
Gas prices have skyrocketed! Groceries are through the roof! The earth is freezing or melting!
All this and more, with the dawning reality that the political season is just heating up for the fall.
With all this "good" news enveloping our culture and refusing to let us breathe, who's to blame anyone for needing a break?
On her Thursday Gettr livestream, Gen Z thought leader Isabel Brown began by urging her generation to take a mental health break and turn off the noise, at least temporarily.
"I just want to say, I've kind of hit a wall the last couple of weeks, and I don't know if everybody else is feeling this way," Brown began. "I saw Allie Beth Stuckey post something about this earlier in the week, and I think I brought it up in my stream on Tuesday. I think there's just this overwhelming feeling of, for lack of a better term, impending doom."
It's possible, even probable, that many Americans share similar sentiments with Brown, with record-high inflation and a plethora of news items to buoy one's political persuasion.
"Overwhelming negativity, everything is awful," Brown continued, sharing a mood that she has seen infiltrating her circle of influence over recent weeks. "There's a trending Tik Tok sound from the news that's like, And in tonight's breaking news, everything is awful. And I think it literally does feel like that because it just kind of feels like we are in this limbo situation of things not moving forward, of not going our way, of constantly being drug back into this crazy culture war that we're consistently fighting. And it just feels really overwhelming."
A contributor to Turning Point USA, the energetic Brown has garnered a loyal and growing following for being a refreshing, counter-culture voice for freedom, morality, and traditional American values. And during the episode, she was taking the pulse of her audience.
"I don't know if you guys are feeling that way. I'm certainly feeling that way. The post I mentioned from Allie Beth earlier this week was on her story," Brown said, referring to Stuckey, a fellow rising media star. "She said, tap yes or no if you're just feeling really overwhelmed and over politics and the news and all of it. And 99 percent of the people in this poll said yes. And I've really been feeling that way lately, too."
And in Brown's opinion, the timing for a temporary hiatus couldn't be better.
"I don't know if you guys just need a break or you need some time away from all of the constant noise and information and negativity being thrown at you from every single direction. I certainly feel like that, working in this world of politics all the time. But I just really want to encourage you this weekend, when you're gathering with your friends and your family, and you have some downtime on Monday. Maybe you have tomorrow remote or tomorrow off because a lot of companies are doing that this year for Labor Day," she said. "Take the time - this is a big challenge, but it's a good one. Take the time to literally turn your phone off. Turn it off. Not silent. Not vibrate. Turn it off, leave it at home, and go do something outside. Go for a hike. Go for a walk. Spend some time with your family. Go fishing. I'm hoping to go fly fishing this weekend. But I'm realizing when I get really overwhelmed, and I am struggling with the overwhelming amount of negativity and just horrifying information going on in the world, I always feel so much better when I take the time to step away from screens. You guys need it too."
Isabel Brown seemingly has more energy than most, with which she engages viewers and continues building a network of like-minded young Americans. And even she plans to take a short break, putting the news aside and connecting with other essential areas of her life.
She urges her friends, family, and followers to do the same.
"Read a book. Go for a hike. Go outside this weekend. Please, that is my challenge for you because I think we will all be a lot better for it."
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