Grim And Terrible Things
- Details
- Written by Nimue Brown

People are attracted to bad news. It’s something that impacts on how our mass media works, and what it puts in front of us.
Bad news sells. It’s easy to plug into feelings that we have to know about the awful things to have a hope of staying safe. That’s the urge that sends us doomscrolling. The more anxious you are, the more likely it is that you’ll move towards bad news because you’re trying to feel more in control.
I can see that in my own behaviour at the start of the covid pandemic. I scrolled a lot, desperately looking for information. However, once I started finding information I could work with, I started being able to control what I was exposing myself to. Not having everyday contact with televisions probably helps.
I see it here on the blog. When I put up titles that seem hopeful or restorative, I tend to get fewer hits than if I put up something that promises grim and challenging content. Blogs with content warnings tend to be popular. This is a mixed bag. I tackle subjects I think need attention and if I think I’ve got something to say that isn’t being said, I’ll get in. Abuse, oppression, mental illness and inequality are topics I’m always going to talk about. I try to do that in a helpful way.
Like most people, I’m affected by a desire for attention. There’s a temptation around that to write more about the bad stuff, the things I struggle with, the things that hurt. There are quite a lot of challenges that I’ve deliberately never talked about in public, for reasons. I don’t want to mine the worst parts of my own life to get hits and I don’t want to become part of the problem where grim content grinds people down so they feel unsafe and seek out more grim content.There’s a cyclical aspect to this, and it’s clearly not good.
Attention can be addictive. Katrina Townsend’s book, The Anti-Consumerist Druid (reviewed here) exposes the addictive nature of seeking attention online. There are difficult stories that need to be told – we need to know what life is like for disadvantaged people so that we can build empathy and do better. The trouble is that all too often what we end up with is tragedy porn, the fleeting emotional hits we get from terrible stories, and then no way of doing anything about it. That kind of stimulus encourages people to seek another hit – be it by telling the awful stories, or by consuming them. Nothing is actually improved by this.
It’s really important not to approach difficult stories as a consumer. Paying attention to what we treat as entertainment in the first place can help. If you’re consuming media that invites you to observe other people’s misery, even if that feels cathartic to you, it is worth being cautious about it. If there isn’t some aspect of how to improve things, the content is going to be on the toxic side.
When we’re dealing with individual people, I favour being indulgent. Take the time to listen, be supportive, offer comfort, do something restorative if you can. If you think someone is wallowing about in their own misery for attention, you won’t get them out of that by telling them or by trying to make them feel ashamed. Instead, try giving them time and attention over things that aren’t about their personal drama. Whatever is going on in a person’s life, offering them attention in good and healthy ways is restorative. It might not fix the underlying problem, but it does provide comfort. If someone’s self esteem is so battered that all they feel they can offer are their worst stories, then offering compliments and appreciation of other parts of them can help them build their way out of that.
When you are the one overwhelmed by some terrible thing, and needing to talk about it, try not to let it become your entire sense of self. Try not to let it define you. Fight for the parts of you that aren’t in that story and make space for the aspects of yourself that you like. Seek out affirming things that remind you of who you really are, because this is important for trauma recovery.
However many reasons there are to focus on the most awful things, try not to let those things become the whole story.
© 2023 crystalwind.ca. All rights reserved. We track all IP addresses with sniffer technology. Using a VPN will not hide your IP.
Liked this article? Dive deeper into personal growth and wellness! Check out CrystalWind.ca for spiritual wisdom or explore AromaWorx.ca for natural well-being tips. Spread the positivity—share this with friends on their happiness journey!
Let’s Chat! Drop Your Thoughts Below!
Disclaimer
We are in compliance with, "Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use." All rights reserved go to their respective holders. We do not own the intellectual property shown on this website, the respective holders own that privilege unless stated otherwise. We do not endorse any opinions expressed on the CrystalWind.ca website. We do not support, represent or guarantee the completeness, truthfulness, accuracy, or reliability of any content or communications posted on CrystalWind.ca.
Disclaimers for CrystalWind.ca: All the information on this website is published in good faith and for general information purposes only. CrystalWind.ca does not make any warranties about the completeness, reliability, and accuracy of this information. Any action you take upon the information you find on this website (CrystalWind.ca) is strictly at your own risk. CrystalWind.ca will not be liable for any losses and/or damages
Latest Articles
Dive into the Mystical World of the Crystal Wind Oracle Deck!
Get All the Enchanting Details Now!
NEW Expanded Boxed Edition!
Now with 58 Cards for Richer Wisdom!

Imagine a world of inspiration and healing, free for all—made possible by YOU!
Donate Now—Ignite the Magic at CrystalWind.ca!
Epilepsy - Finding A Cure
Your donation can make a difference!
Help us find a cure – donate now!
Unlock Your Light: Join Lightworkers Worldwide on CrystalWind.ca!
Follow Us!
Who is Online Now
We have 25691 guests and no members online
Featured This Month
The Time of No Time: Beltane!
Around the medicine wheel of life we go, from season to season (solstice to ... Read more
Bright Beltane Blessings!
The wheel turns to Beltane, also known as Mayday, marking the beginning of S... Read more
Dandelion: The Surprising Power of this Medi…
Reminds you of the abundance life holds. Gender: Masculine Planet: Jupiter E... Read more
The Crystal Wind Oracle Card Deck
The Crystal Wind Oracle™ The Crystal Wind Oracle Myth & Magic Card D... Read more
Sun in Aries: Unleash Your Power!
Aries March 21 through April 20 An Overview of Sun Sign Characteristics for A... Read more
Birth Totem Falcon: Are You a Natural Leader…
Birth Totem Falcon Birth dates: March 21 – April 19 Birth Totem is: Falcon... Read more
Eudialyte: Your Aries Power Stone Revealed!
Eudialyte Birthstone: Aries Planet: Mars Element: Fire Chakra: Heart Eud... Read more
Budding Trees Moon: Medicine Wheel Insights!
Red Hawk - Fire Opal - Dandelion - Yellow March 21 – April 19 The Budding Tr... Read more
Aries Mythology: Discover the Secrets
The Mythology of Aries When we dive into the mythology of Aries, we need to... Read more
Green Aventurine
The Emotional Balancer Stone Green Aventurine is perhaps the best balancing... Read more