Hi guys! Welcome to Episode 556 of the Wildly Successful Lifestyle podcast! Welcome if you are new and welcome back if you’ve been around a while. Remember, I publish 10 minute episodes twice a week so be sure to subscribe so you get notified. A little reminder on your drive to work with thought provoking ideas that could change the way you interact with someone is so helpful. It really could change your life. I know it has changed mine.
OK, I’ve got a question that’s been rattling around in my head: What if all the drama in our lives—politics, family fights, even the news—is just… entertainment? Hear me out, because this one’s gonna make you rethink how you spend your mental energy.
The other day, I was scrolling through the news, and this story from halfway across the world got me all worked up. It was intense—some big geopolitical thing—but then I realized: Nothing about that thing actually changed my day. My coffee still tasted the same, my pups still wanted their walk. The only impact was how I felt about it. Had I skipped that headline, my life would’ve been exactly the same. That got me wondering: how much of what we let into our heads is just drama we’re choosing to allow in?
Now, you might be thinking, “Hold up, news isn’t entertainment—it’s serious!” But let’s break it down. We usually think of entertainment as movies, music, or games—stuff that’s fun, right? But the real definition is broader: it’s anything that grabs your attention, stirs your emotions, and keeps you hooked, whether it’s joy, fear, or even anger. Think about a horror movie that makes your heart race or a reality show where you’re yelling at the screen. That’s entertainment, even if it’s not all warm fuzzies.
Here’s the kicker: a heated political debate on TV, a viral post on X, or even your uncle’s rant at Thanksgiving dinner? Those hit the same buttons. They pull you in, get your blood pumping, make you feel something. And here’s the thing: you choose to tune in. You don’t have to watch the news, argue with your cousin, or scroll through that comment thread. So, what if politics, family drama, even religion, are just forms of entertainment we’re opting into?
Let’s take it further. What if life is just you navigating a giant buffet of entertainment options? Your reality—what makes you happy, stressed, or inspired—comes down to what you choose to focus on. It’s like you’re the DJ of your own life, picking the tracks for your playlist.
Picture two people living in the same city. One’s glued to cable news, stressing about politics, eating takeout, and arguing online with strangers. The other’s out hiking with friends, watching comedies, and cooking healthy meals. Same world, same options, but their lives feel totally different. Why? Because of what they chose to let in—what they eat, watch, talk about, think about. Their reality is shaped by those choices.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “But some things, like politics, matter! They affect my taxes, my healthcare!” And yeah, policies can have real impacts. But let’s be honest: most of the political noise—the pundits, the outrage, the viral memes—doesn’t change your day-to-day life. It’s just a show designed to keep you watching. Think about it: presidents come and go, and for most of us, life doesn’t shift that much. What does shift is how we feel about it—how much mental space we give to the drama.
This is where it gets exciting, because this idea gives you a whole new level of control. If so much of the drama out there is just entertainment, you get to decide what’s worth your attention. You’re not a passive audience member—you’re the director of your own show. Want less stress? Skip the political shouting matches. Want more joy? Hang out with people who lift you up. It’s not about ignoring reality; it’s about curating it.
This last week my family was in town for my nieces graduation, well most of them. I talked about how much fun we had in my last episode. But there was on missing piece this last weekend, My sister that has shunned us from her life and her family were the only ones not there from our immediate family. It crossed my mind a few times but I didn’t allow myself to dwell on that because nothing good can come from it, so I just enjoyed the family that was there and wanted to be there. But, While my parents and big sister were with us, my big sister told me they were spending Memorial Day with that other sister and I noticed my mood sort of immediately change, not for the good. I realized I was having not so great thoughts about her and also my mom and dad and older sister for indulging that sister by daring to spend time with her even though in my opinion, she has treated the rest of her siblings so poorly. This is all going through my head, mind you. And I marinated in it, I’m not proud to say because Ive been doing so much work in that area. But we used to have such a wonderful time when we would all be together and we haven’t been able to do that for about 6 years now, except for at my brother in law’s funeral. I noticed it was becoming sort of a dark cloud over my head and I knew I was causing my own suffering by dwelling on something that I did not control. Fortunately I was able to use some of the tools I talked about in Episode 555 to focus my attention elsewhere. I could have created family drama, I already was in my own head but I made the decision to feel the sadness I felt but at the same time move on to what I could appreciate that was in front of me right now. By doing that, I wasn’t ignoring reality, I was curating it. I was taking control of my mood by what I focused on. We can all do that and it’s going to be a work in progress all the time. You’re not ever going to be perfect at it, but the more you show yourself that the things you are choosing to allow in affect every aspect of your life, the more careful I think you’ll be with your time. That’s how it is for me anyway.
My challenge for you this week: pay attention to what you’re letting into your head. Are you binge-watching the news, scrolling through angry X posts, or replaying some argument? Ask yourself: Is this informing me, or just entertaining me? Then, try swapping one thing out for something that feels better—maybe a walk, a funny movie, or a chat with a friend. Notice how it changes your day.
Life’s like a playlist, and you’re in charge of the tracks. The drama—politics, family fights, all of it—is just one channel. You don’t have to tune in. What if your time on this earth is exactly what you make of it? That’s a pretty powerful thought.
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