There used to be a time when I was a sports fanatic. As a little girl I would cry if my team lost their rivalry game and family events were often planned around “The big game.”

A while ago I stopped watching and listening to sports broadcasting and let go of the news headlines. At that point, I would DVR a game and play it back without viewing the pre and post game rituals. The only connection I had to my team was their performance during the game.

Cutting-off the sports media changed my enthusiasm dramatically and made me curious about the impact of the 24-hour news cycle on my own life. As I eliminated the “bubble” I lived in, my once favorite teams had virtually no influence over my life.

When we are all-consumed within an environment it’s hard to believe that another alternative may be available. I find great value in stepping back, silencing the feedback and determining what the root of an influence is. This practice widens my perspective and allows me to access life on my own terms.