You Have the Power, Not the Trance: Breaking Free from Mindless Consumption

Already, as I write this on January 12, the year 2025 has brought deeply disturbing and painful events. The New Orleans terror attack, the devastating fires in Los Angeles, terrible tragedies befalling community members — and the list goes on. These immense challenges, coming so soon after the holiday season, have felt almost surreal to me. Life these days feels filled with uncertainty and anxiety. At least I know it does for me.

The Pull of the Trance

One way we humans often cope with such difficulties is through mindless consumption. This can range from something as seemingly harmless as binge-watching an entire series in one night to something as clearly harmful as binge-drinking a bottle of liquor. It might look like scrolling endlessly through social media, overeating comfort foods, indulging in toxic media, or compulsive online shopping. Beneath such behaviors, there is often something difficult we’re trying to distract ourselves from or numb ourselves against.

I’ve been reflecting on this from my own personal experience. Lately, I’ve found myself mindlessly scrolling news sites and social media late at night, far too often. It has impacted both the quality and quantity of my sleep. As I’ve examined this habit, I’ve realized that anxiety is at its root. On one hand, I’m trying to gather as much information as possible about terrible events, as if that gives me some sense of control over things I can’t actually control. On the other hand, it’s a way to distract myself from being fully present with very difficult feelings. In many ways, it’s a form of numbing.

Recognizing the Pattern

This kind of scrolling is very trancelike. It pulls me in, but it doesn’t help. I’ve never finished a session of mindless scrolling and felt better for it. It doesn’t bring inspiration or true comfort. It doesn’t offer relief. And yet, the pull toward it remains.

Recently, I’ve come to accept that this pull might not go away entirely. That’s part of the human experience. We all face pulls toward habits or behaviors that don’t serve our highest selves. But even if the pull doesn’t disappear, I’ve realized that I have the power to work with it skillfully and wisely. The trance doesn’t have the power. I do. I have choice.

The Power of Choice

By becoming curious about what’s pulling me into a consumption trance, I can tend to it compassionately instead of getting lost in it. I can ask myself, “What’s really underneath this? What pain am I avoiding?” When I approach it with curiosity and compassion, I can name what’s happening, offer care to myself, and make a different choice.

I share this personal struggle because I know I’m not alone. Many people get pulled into trances of mindless consumption, and many beat themselves up for it. Others hold the belief that to truly heal, the pull must go away entirely. But I think healing comes from accepting that the pull might always be there while learning to work with it. When we mindfully understand what’s happening within, we gain the ability to respond with wisdom and compassion. We have choice.

Mindful Consumption for the Greater Good

The consumption I’m referring to isn’t just about what we eat or drink. It’s about everything we bring into our bodies and minds, from media to food to relationships. This matters not only for us as individuals but also for the collective. When caught in a trance, we often consume things that are toxic — to ourselves, to others, and to the world around us.

I deeply admire the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, who exemplified a commitment to mindful consumption. He said, “I vow to ingest only items that preserve peace, wellbeing, and joy in my body, in my consciousness, and in the collective body and consciousness of my family and society.” That’s a principle I aspire to live by.

It’s amazing to consider that even a single mindful choice about what we consume can ripple outward to affect the world. I genuinely believe that our choices matter, not just for our own well-being but for the well-being of all.

Reflect and Act

You have the power — the choice — not the trance. What trances of consumption do you find yourself pulled into? Do you find yourself mindlessly consuming unhealthy food, toxic media, harmful amounts of alcohol, or compulsively shopping for things you don’t need? Would it help to pause and consider whether what you’re consuming preserves “peace, wellbeing, and joy” in your body and consciousness? How does it feel to remind yourself that you have the power, not the trance?

Let’s choose to mindfully reflect on what we’re consuming and why. Together, we can cultivate a life of greater peace, well-being, and joy — for ourselves and for the world.