I found some plants on the discount rack, brought them home, and propagated them to create a plant family. The plants responded by producing one flower, then another, and then another. They seem to be thriving.

Changing environments can greatly impact wellness. For the past eight years, I took pride in (and maybe even became a bit addicted to) staying on top of current events nationally and, to a lesser extent, internationally.

But after last Tuesday’s election, that urge faded. I decided to stop watching the news, reading the paper, or even discussing what’s happening beyond my immediate world of work and family. And honestly? It’s been one of the best decisions I’ve made in a long time. I feel less stressed, I have more time to reflect, and I’ve played more guitar in the past week than in the last three months!

Before last Tuesday, my evenings were a cycle of work, coming home, and diving into the news (locally, nationally, globally, in that order), ending with a Pavlovian urge to watch Colbert. Then I’d scroll through YouTube, looking for the next dopamine hit. I was aware of the spiral but couldn’t muster the motivation to break it.

Now, I’ve stopped, and it’s liberating. Without the pressure to care about the world’s daily dramas, I’m better able to focus on my world, where I meet people, develop ideas, write, and get things done.

By stepping back from the news cycle, I’ve shifted my inner environment. Instead of stories deemed essential by others, I’ve returned to what genuinely matters: how my family is doing, how my colleagues and clients are faring, how the plants around me are thriving, and how beautiful the flowers are!

Interestingly, when I share these stories, people respond with genuine appreciation.

So, for now, I’m going to keep riding this momentum of newfound motivation, increased productivity, and a clearer focus on what truly matters: the people, plants, and places I engage with every day.