Choosing Your Inputs: Curating a Life of Meaning
Finding Peace and Purpose in What You Consume
In a world drowning in content, one of the most powerful acts of self-care is deciding what you allow into your mind. Every piece of information—whether it’s a breaking news alert, a political podcast, or a thoughtful audiobook—represents an input that influences your thoughts, emotions, and actions.
For many years, I let political commentary dominate my inputs. I thought I was staying informed, but in reality, I was overfed on outrage and undernourished in ways that mattered. The 24/7 news cycle left me anxious and reactive, without offering meaningful ways to engage.
When your mind is steeped in content designed to provoke fear or anger, those emotions become your default responses to the world. Stepping back taught me that choosing your inputs isn’t just about what you consume—it’s about the life you want to create.
The Quality of Your Inputs Shapes the Quality of Your Life
Epictetus, the Stoic philosopher, wrote, “It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” Yet how we react often depends on what we consume. When your mind is steeped in content designed to provoke fear or anger, those emotions become your default responses to the world.
By shifting from political podcasts to jazz, symphonic music and rich audiobooks, I am reclaiming my mental space. On my lengthy commute to work I found Gore Vidal’s 1876 was particularly impactful in the unsettled days after the election. Set during one of America’s most corrupt and politically treacherous periods, the novel reminded me that we’ve faced existential political crises before—and survived. It offered historical perspective and a much-needed reprieve from the constant now of today’s political chaos.
Turning back to Jazz introduced me to a rhythm of creativity and calm. From the chaotic and gorgeous fusion of Miles Davis back to the timeless jazz of the 1930s and 40s, I have gained a sense of freedom and improvisation, teaching me to embrace complexity with grace while finding calm in the rhythms of creative expression.
Audiobooks like 1876 (and before that, Gore Vidal’s Lincoln and for what is in hindsight melancholy fun, a re-listen to Anthony Bourdain’s Kitchen Confidential) provided depth and nuance, free from the immediacy and sensationalism of modern media. These inputs didn’t just occupy my mind during a boring drive—they enriched it, giving me a deeper appreciation for art, history, and thoughtful living. You could say they helped me leave my troubled thoughts in the rearview mirror.
Breaking Free from the Outrage Cycle
One of the great paradoxes of our age is that we’re more informed than ever but often feel powerless to act. Political podcasts and social media thrive on engagement, not solutions, creating what experts call “information fatigue.” The endless cycle of outrage leaves us emotionally drained, yet no closer to meaningful change.
This is where Stoic wisdom becomes invaluable. Marcus Aurelius reminds us, “You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” The Stoics teach that focusing on what we can control—our thoughts and actions—brings clarity and peace. Choosing our inputs is an act of reclaiming this power.
A Framework for Intentional Inputs
Stepping back from the noise is easier said than done. Here’s how I’ve learned to curate a healthier mental diet:
Audit Your Inputs: Spend a week tracking everything you consume—podcasts, social media, news, even conversations. Ask yourself, Does this inspire me or drain me? Is this clickbait designed to rile me up or is it informative?
Set Boundaries: Decide how much time you’ll dedicate to political commentary or other potentially draining inputs. A short daily (heck, sometimes weekly) check-in has been transformative for me.
Diversify Your Diet: Just as a healthy body needs a variety of nutrients, a healthy mind thrives on varied inputs. Add more art, music, history, and literature to your routine.
Embrace Silence: The Stoics often advocated for quiet reflection. In a world of endless noise, silence is the most enriching input of all. Driving a spooky quiet electric car makes that especially easy for me!
Reevaluate Regularly: Life changes, and so do your needs. Periodically revisit what you’re consuming to ensure it aligns with your values and goals. Try something new.
Reclaiming Your Narrative
In curating my inputs, I’ve discovered something profound: what we consume shapes who we are. By choosing wisely, we don’t just enrich our minds; we create a life filled with intentionality and purpose.
As a nearly 20-year podcast host and producer, this realization carries even more weight for me. I’ve seen how powerful podcasts and media can be—but I also know their potential to overwhelm. Choosing your inputs isn’t about disengaging from the world; it’s about engaging with it on your terms, with clarity and calm.
Vidal’s 1876 taught me that America has weathered storms of corruption and division before. Jazz reminded me that creativity thrives in quiet moments. Together, these new inputs have reshaped my narrative. If stepping back from the noise can bring peace to someone as steeped in media as I am, imagine what it could do for you.
Does this mean I don’t care about what is happening? Not at all. The truth is, I care deeply—perhaps too deeply—about things I cannot fix with my anxiety or anger. The sadness I feel at the utter failure of society to act in good faith is real, but sadness is not fuel for change; it’s simply an emotion I can no longer indulge.
By cutting back on those particular inputs, I’ve found a way to focus on what I can control—my thoughts, my actions, and what brings clarity, enlightenment and calm. When the time comes to reengage, I’ll do so with a more balanced mind, a thoughtful perspective, and, most importantly, the effectiveness that comes from responding rather than reacting.
If I’ve learned anything, it’s this: caring without clarity isn’t strength; it’s surrender. And clarity begins by choosing what, and who, you let into your mind.