I have this ritual when I get to work. Sit down, wait for my computer to load, finish my breakfast shake, check my e-mails, and then open up all the browsers/documents I am going to need for the first half of the day.
And then, because there isn’t a whole lot going on in my day-to-day, I pull out my headphones and open up the podcast app on my phone.
I always start with The Daily. It’s a quick briefing on what’s been going on in our world. And, though I am typically aware of the previous day’s events (thank you Twitter and Breaking News), Michael Barbaro, the host, will hold interviews or dive deeper into a specific issue.
It’s quick and gives me the main rundown on the things I should know.
Then, if there’s an episode of Pod Save America, I’ll usually listen to that next. Mainly because those guys aren’t afraid to use the EFF word when talking about our current administration. And I just LOVE that.
Since those two touch on current events, I like to stay up-to-date with those.
But then I have some podcasts I subscribe to that I can listen to at any time. This American Life, Reply All, Revisionist History, Happier, and most recently, Yoga Girl’s From The Heart.
I discovered this podcast through a friend’s Instagram story. She highly recommended it and I can totally see why.
Rachel Brathen (Yoga Girl) is so calming. And peaceful. And when you listen to her podcast, it feels like you’re having a heart-to-heart conversation with a close friend. It’s brought me to tears several times because she’s so real. The most recent episode I listened to was about body image and making lifestyle changes from a place of love. I honestly had to get up and leave my office a few times because I started to get so emotional hearing her talk about something that has been (and probably always will be) a sensitive issue for me.
The reason I bring up my morning “podcast routine” is this.
I have subscribed to Gretchen Rubin’s podcast, Happier, since it first started. I became a fan of hers after reading The Happiness Project so when I heard she was starting up her own podcast, I jumped on board. Well, after about 10-15 episodes, it started getting repetitive. And Gretchen Rubin’s voice is actually a little bit rough to listen to for an hour straight. But I have continued to listen to it for two years.
I don’t know why.
It doesn’t bring me joy.
It doesn’t provide me with any new inspiration or leave me feeling particularly excited about what I just heard.
In fact, I think it does the opposite. I think it annoys me more than anything else.
But, I have continued listening to episode after episode after episode.
So, yesterday, when my heart exploded with fireworks and love and all the feels after listening to Rachel Brathen’s podcast, I decided to go to my podcast feed and unsubscribe from Happier and the other podcasts that aren’t really serving me.
This seems like such a small, trivial action that isn’t deserving of a lengthy post like this one.
But it does.
Because this issue I have with my podcast selection is exactly what keeps me stuck doing things I don’t love doing and living a life that is not genuine to me.
I keep podcasts and relationships and things around that don’t serve me and don’t add any value to my life.
I don’t really know why I do it. Part of me feels like if I’ve invested so much time and energy into it, I should just carry it along with me for the rest of my life. Regardless of the negative vibes they might give me over time.
And part of me fears that if I don’t have it around, I am going to miss something vital. Something important. Something I just can’t possibly do without.
So I’m attracting this negative, fearful energy. Because I’m afraid to LET THINGS GO when it’s time for them to leave.
Anyway, this is clearly not just about the podcast.
It’s an issue I have with listening to my heart.
But, yesterday, I finally turned inward and thought about just how much time and energy I’m wasting on things that aren’t actually leaving me fulfilled. And how I drag my way through things because I feel like I have to. That’s a pretty terrible way to live your life.
“UGH. I HATE DOING THIS THING AND I HAVE FULL CONTROL OF MY CHOICES. I CAN CHOOSE NOT TO DO IT BUT I’M GOING TO DO IT ANYWAY BECAUSE….”
No.
After two and a half years, I felt pretty freaking proud to have pushed the “Unsubscribe” button.
Questions of the Day:
- What podcasts do you listen to?
- Is it easy for you to push the “Unsubscribe” button on things that don’t serve you?
Some of these podcasts I have not heard of, I will have to check them out. I have been listening to strong opinions loosely held and the espresso health show recently. I don’t get as attached to pod casts, but I can think if other things that I held onto for ages even though they weren’t working for me.
Emily @ Pizza & Pull-ups recently posted…Happy Friday!
We do get in a routine, a rut, and it can be scary to make a change. I’m going to my podcast feed right now. I also listen to Gretchen Rubin because I felt I should. Now I’m free to unsubscribe.
I am so proud of my Div!! Disassociate with any and all pods, people, things carrying negative energy is the simplest test to be a richer, enriched soul!! “Tell me one good thing that comes from negative people or negativity, I’ll be negative all day long.” ~ Hector LaMarque
You hit it on the head, if it doesn’t bring us joy or leads to us feeling awful, we shouldn’t invest time in it. BUT that isn’t as easily said and done when it comes to relationships. It would be nice if we could just unsubscribe as we do with podcasts. I hope you keep finding the things that make you happy and put your energy into those!
Beth recently posted…What’s Up Weekend 8.18.17
I am doing a similar thing right now with my Facebook. I am unliking / unfriending at a record pace. We let so many things into our lives that don’t enrich our experiences, and then we just hang on to them. As for podcasts, I am cyrrently listening to The MInimalists, Risk!, and Black Tapes.
John recently posted…George Dickel: Our First Stop on The Tennessee Whiskey Trail
I am quick to judge. If a podcast doesn’t serve me well within the first 15-30 minutes, I won’t even subscribe. And if the downloads stop because I haven’t been listening to anything lately, then I’ll unsubscribe. I only keep about 4-5 podcasts subscribed on my phone. It’s easy for me to unsubscribe because I know I can subscribe again later if I’m interested. I love that you freed yourself from the mental clutter, though! I need to start saying NO to things that aren’t important or bring me joy in my life.
BRAVO, my Friend!!!! This makes me so happy. I have also listened to happier for two years but lately I have been skipping over the podcast simply because, as you said, it doesn’t make me happier. Thank you for sharing this and stating what you have. (PS, her voice and laugh have made me annoyed), I think I will be doing the same thing. We MUST be aware of how our routines makes us feel and realize that sometimes we are making our life harder than it needs to be. I am going to check out the podcast you have mentioned as I’ve never heard it! Here’s to a fantastic (and happier) weekend!!
Sheryl recently posted…The One Thing You Need To Do Each Day: Make Your Bed
Okay, first? I love this. And agree completely. Sometimes you just gotta’ hit that unsubscribe button and attract the kind of energy you want into your life. It’s totally symbolic of other relationships we tend to hold in our lives, sometimes longer than we should, out of a sense of obligation… I guess? I dunno why we do this, but I’m just as guilty.
Also I needed to find new podcasts. I have a hard time lately with a lot of things (this current administration especially) but I want to dive fully into programs that are hard-hitting and emotional but also understanding and compassionate so I’m fully ready to see what’s out there to listen to (and appreciate your recommendations!).
XOXO and hope you have a great weekend, momma! <3
Charlotte recently posted…What’s up, weekend 8/18
Divya, I needed this today. Thank you thank you thank you. I have the same problem, and today, because of this post, I’m going to see what I can unsubscribe from in my life.
Corey | The Nostalgia Diaries recently posted…Remember Reminder #17: Take A Vacation
I love this. It’s easy to get stuck in a rut, where you find yourself doing things you don’t really want to or need to be doing but it’s routine now. Good for you for hitting unsubscribe!
ShootingStarsMag recently posted…Wild Things: The Joy of Reading Children’s Literature as an Adult by Bruce Handy
I love that you wrote this, because I can relate. Sometimes I do things and I don’t even know why! I’m slowly realizing that if things don’t bring me joy, I don’t have to hang on!
Leighann recently posted…The 4 Step Skin Care Routine
I’m obsessed with everything Rachel Brathen. I completely agree with you — she’s REAL. I follow a lot of yoga people and she’s by far my favorite & most relatable. I’ve been wanting to get into podcasts and your insights here have me intrigued. Thanks for the ideas!
While o don’t have any podcasts that I listen to on the regular, I can COMPLETELY agree and empathize with your feelings here! I definitely find myself sticking to things that don’t bring me joy just because. It’s not healthy. You go girl!
Ashley recently posted…So This Is Teaching? Honest Advice for First Year Teachers
agree. There’s actually a lot of things that we should be unsubscribing from. And I’m gonna check out the daily for sure.
This has motivated me to review my social media accounts and get back to connecting to what and who really matters to me.
Good that you pressed the ‘Unsubscribe’ button.
Things that do not make you happy or bring joy to your heart no hesitation just one click and free yourself.
Nice that you are enjoying this new podcast you have talked about. Please send me a link …. I would like to follow her and see if she captures my heart.
Loved this detailed blog Divya. Thanks.
Im gonna need a unsubscribe button for people. I kid. I have not dipped my toes into Podcasts yet, but I know I need to. As far as the unsubscribing from all things negative, I hear you there 100%. But when things no longer bring you joy, they got to go. Life’s too short to hang on to things you don’t love just for the sake of not giving up. I am slowly learning to embrace change and accept that sometimes its just needed. Im so glad you hit that button!
Kim recently posted…Coffee, Cameras and Cauliflower Rice?
Wow, Div. I can so relate to this! I’ve noticed there are some things in my life that are “good on paper” but are just tedious to consume. I should enjoy these things because everyone else does but they don’t bring me joy and it’s been life-giving to let go of them. I’m currently listening to a lot of older episodes of podcasts because I’m a bit behind in the podcast game, but two that stood out to me are the Instagram and AirBnB episodes of NPR How I Built This. I was so inspired to hear how these giant companies were built out of nothing.
I am happy that you have time to listen to podcasts. My day is filled sometimes from 4 AM till 10:pm with “stuff”. Which is exactly what you are talking about. I need to get rid of extra and especially negative ” stuff” in my life and concentrate on eating, living, loving and maybe a little wine and aerobics.
I’m not really a podcast listener but I hear you with regards to unsubscribing to things literally and figuratively.
On electronic things that don’t serve me, I find it easy to detach from. But it’s more the humans that no longer serve me where I have the problem, The friends where just the sight of their name on text makes me groan an “omg what now?” or where I just pray I don’t have to deal with them. It’s hard to end anything that has once given your life some sort of happiness.
I have grown better in the past few years about unsubscribing from podcasts, stopping books in the middle, and taking my distance from people who aren’t a good person in my life! In regards to podcasts specifically, I have always unsubscribed pretty quickly. I am a picky listener, and that is my “relaxing” time- I will spend that hour (or more) griping about whatever is irritating me and taking me out of it, and like you said, it serves no purpose!! Realistically, no one NEEDS to listen to anyone podcast, so unsubscribing should be a totally normal thing. (I know a few people who feel guilty when they hit that unsubscribe button 🙁 ) I actually just posted about my podcast pet peeves this week 🙂
It can be hard to give up a podcast, because, as you say, you might miss something interesting/useful. I’ve unsubscribed from several which were no longer relevant or entertaining, although, now I think about it, there’s one I haven’t listened to in months and really should give up. Yes, it’s definitely not as easy as it should be.
I so agree with you! Life is too short to do anything that doesn’t bring us joy. It is time to evaluate the “why” behind our actions – are we doing things because they nourish us or because we feel obligated, fearful, or are on auto-pilot? This is why I have stopped listening to ANYTHING having to do with politics (EFF word or no EFF word). It’s a downer on either side.
I’ll have to check out some of those podcasts, thank you! One podcast I really got into was Lewis Howes’ podcast. He interviews some really inspirational people, and like you some episodes have left me tearful (in a good way!)
Never feel bad about letting go of something that doesn’t bring you happiness or joy even if it is a podcast. Sounds like you have found a new podcast that meets your needs and bring you joy so continue.
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Cant wait to read of your eclipse experience today. yayayayayayayyayay!!
I have started doing this on FB – unfollowing more and more. I’m just tired of letting negativity and drama into my life.
I just wish that unsubscribing to toxic people in every day life was as easy.