I don’t know about you, but I’m getting really tired of the constant ‘breaking news’ alerts we’ve been bombarded with over the last several months.

The alerts. The politics. The endless swirl of things that are heartbreaking, infuriating, and freaking overwhelming. As a sensitive, caring person, it’s easy to feel like you have to do more, read more, stay more informed, or else you’re somehow not doing your part.

But the truth is, you can care deeply and still protect your peace.

This isn’t about tuning out. It’s about setting guardrails so you don’t get swallowed up by the noise. 

Because we need you here. 

Not burnt out, spiraling, or emotionally fried, but clear-headed, grounded, and capable of taking meaningful action.

Let’s talk about how to do that:

Why Boundaries Are More Important Than Ever

When the world feels like it’s on fire, boundaries can feel selfish.

But they’re not.

Boundaries are essential maintenance for your nervous system. Without them, it’s easy to fall into doomscrolling, despair, and the general ‘the world is ending and I hate it here’ mentality. That definitely doesn’t make you more informed, it makes you completely exhausted.

Boundaries don’t mean you don’t care, quite the opposite.

They mean you care enough to stay well so you can show up-that whole ‘putting your oxygen mask on first’ thing that I’m so fond of!

What Are Boundaries (And What Are They Not)

Let’s clear something up:

Boundaries are not walls.

They’re not about pushing people away or ignoring the state of the world. 

Boundaries are about creating space for your well-being, so you can actually stay present and engaged.

Boundaries are how you:

• Protect your time, energy, and mental clarity
  
• Stay rooted in your values when everything feels chaotic
  
• Make intentional choices instead of reactive ones
  
• Keep your nervous system regulated so you don’t spiral into burnout
  

They can sound like:

• “I’m not available to talk about this right now.”
  
• “I don’t check the news after dinner.”
  
• “I’ve hit my limit today, I’ll respond tomorrow.”
  
• “I’m logging off for the weekend.”
  
• “I want to help, but I need a break first.”
  

Boundaries are compassionate.

They help you stay in your body, stay focused, and stay connected to everything and everyone you care about most.

Without boundaries, everything floods in and drowns you.

With them, you get to decide what gets your energy-and what doesn’t.

Start with What You’re Consuming

We’re not meant to process this much information, this fast, all the time. Our brains weren’t designed for 24/7 news cycles, constant alerts, and a never-ending scroll of opinions, updates, and outrage.

To put it in perspective:
The amount of information in a single Sunday edition of The New York Times is more than someone in Shakespeare’s time would have consumed in their entire life.
No wonder we’re overstimulated, overwhelmed, and constantly on edge. 

So one of the most powerful things you can do is to curate your inputs.

Here are some simple boundary shifts to start with:

• Turn off non-urgent notifications.
  Those little red bubbles cue stress triggers in your brain, even if you don’t realize it.
  
• Delete or log out of social apps on the weekend.
  Give your brain a break. You don’t have to be “on” 24/7.
  
• Set a timer for media usage.
  Use a timer app to limit your time on social media and news apps so you can stay informed without falling into the doom pit.
  
• Choose a few trusted, grounded sources to stay informed-and let go of the rest.
  Unfollow or unsubscribe from accounts that thrive on fear or constant urgency. Instead, follow creators who offer clear, balanced, and helpful information-not content designed to keep you angry or addicted to the scroll.
  
• Step away from conversations that drain you or go against your values.
  You don’t owe anyone your energy, especially if the discussion feels unproductive, unkind, or misaligned. It’s okay to disengage to protect your peace.
  

Replace the Noise with Nourishment

Boundaries aren’t just about what you say no to.

They’re also about what you say yes to.

Make room for joy. Rest. Connection. Think about what really lights you up, and make it a point to do those things! Some suggestions in case you need a jump start:

• Watch a light-hearted comfort show or movie.
  
• Spend time in nature-without your phone.
  
• Volunteer with a favorite organization.
  
• Make something with your hands.
  
• Schedule a date with a friend or loved one.
  
• Make something with your hands.
  

 None of this is frivolous. This is what fills your cup so you can keep showing up.

Take Aligned Action-Then Step Back

Yes, the world needs your voice. But it also needs your longevity. Your energy. Your presence.

So take action in ways that align with your values, and then rest.

Some ideas:

• Reach out to your representatives on a regular basis about the issues that matter to you.
  
• Vote in your local and national elections.
  
• Protest in person, if it feels safe for you.
  
• Donate time or resources to organizations you want to support (choose a couple to focus on).
  
• Support local or values-aligned businesses.
  

And then, instead of monitoring breaking news every five minutes, step away. Trust that doing your part doesn’t mean doing everything.

Protecting Your Peace Isn’t Opting Out-It’s Opting In

You’re allowed to take breaks.

You’re allowed to feel joy.

You’re allowed to set boundaries and still be a person who cares deeply.

In fact, those things are exactly what allow you to keep showing up. And? They give a great big middle finger to a system trying to break everyone down. So if you’ve been feeling the heaviness of the world lately, this is your permission slip to put some boundaries in place. Not because you don’t care, but because you do.

If you’d like a quick reference sheet, you can download my Be a Force For Good (without Burning Out) checklist here.