For as long as I can remember, staying informed about the world has been essential to me. To be whole, I believed you had to understand what was happening beyond your own doorstep. Keeping up with the news seemed like a way to be aware, engaged, and part of something larger. But recent events—especially in the United States—have shaken that perspective to the core. It’s hard to keep watching when it feels like a place that once represented democracy is walking away from it.
This past week, I reached a point where I decided I had to disconnect. I stopped watching, listening to, or reading the news altogether. The constant flow of unsettling headlines has moved past enlightening and informative; now, it just feels disheartening. We already knew things were unsteady, but this week felt like watching the world completely lose its way. There comes a point when the endless cycle of negativity, sensationalism, and chaos no longer serves any good purpose, and for me, that point has arrived.
Instead of feeling bound to newsfeeds and broadcasts, I find myself longing for a different rhythm. I’ve always been drawn to the open landscapes of the outback, where time slows down, and life isn’t defined by the next big headline. And now, the pull to escape this whirlwind and immerse myself in travels through the rugged beauty of the outback is stronger than ever. There’s something profoundly liberating about trading the noise for the quiet hum of nature, where moments are measured by the rising and setting sun, not by breaking news alerts.
Disconnecting from the news, I hope to reconnect with something deeper and more enduring: the simple, grounding reality of the natural world. Out there, beyond the reach of chaos, I believe there’s peace to be found. So, for now, I’ll turn my attention to planning these travels, setting up my gear, and finding refuge in the outback—a place far removed from the frenzy, where the world feels a little less crazy and a lot more like home.