Navigating the Post-Election Media Landscape

Embrace this moment to develop a healthy relationship with news and social media.

Reviewed by Monica Vilhauer Ph.D.

When I’m on a train, I like to sit backwards. Looking out the window, I take in the diminishing landscape as new sights come into view. Facing forward is less relaxing for me—what’s far off is too blurry to discern, and just as the scenery comes into clarity, it passes quickly out of my perception. I know my preferences are not universal. Many people enjoy looking ahead to what’s coming, and some even find it nauseating to sit backwards.

In this moment between the 2024 election and Donald Trump’s inauguration in January, media and social media offer an abundance of both backward and forward views. As Election Day fades into the distance, opinion pages transition from unpacking the election outcome in hindsight to forward-looking predictions for what will happen in the upcoming administration. Headlines vie for our attention, often framed as urgent or alarming, whether rehashing the past or forecasting the future.

Whether you’re inclined to replay the election drama or dive into speculation about what lies ahead, it’s worth pausing to ask: How is the media you consume shaping your perspective, your mood, and your actions? What emotions does it stir in you—anger, fear, determination? Does it connect you to purpose and clarity, or does it leave you feeling overwhelmed and disoriented?

The urgency with which some political narratives are presented can feed a cycle of anxiety and reactivity. Scrolling through sensationalist headlines or heated commentary can make the future feel chaotic and the past overly fraught. Yet, much like the view from a train window, the media landscape is not something we have to absorb passively. We can choose how much to engage and which sources offer us beneficial insights, curating the information we let in with care and intention.

For instance, if you find yourself compulsively refreshing social media or doomscrolling through punditry, consider whether this habit is helping you make sense of the moment—or simply amplifying stress. You might try setting boundaries with your media consumption, taking breaks, or focusing on outlets that prioritize thoughtful analysis over emotional activation. Think of it as adjusting the blinds on your train window—letting in enough light to stay informed, but not so much that you’re blinded or overwhelmed.

Alternatively, if you’ve tuned out entirely, that choice might serve as a temporary reprieve, but it’s worth considering how you will re-engage in ways that are beneficial and intentional. The key is to find a balance—a relationship with media that keeps you informed without leaving you reactive, and connected without becoming consumed.

Notice Your Reflection in the Window

As we take stock of this transitional time, it’s not just the media narratives we encounter that matter, but how we respond to them. Are you inclined to share articles that confirm your fears or amplify your outrage? Do you seek perspectives that challenge your assumptions, or do you gravitate toward content that reinforces your views? Are you taking time to engage thoughtfully with the complexity of the moment, or are you swept up in the immediacy of breaking news?

Our habits around media consumption are personal, yet they also shape the collective landscape. The stories we choose to amplify, the tone of the conversations we engage in, and the space we make for diverse perspectives all contribute to the larger political and social narrative.

This moment between the election and inauguration offers an opportunity to recalibrate our relationship with the information we take in. By being intentional about the sources we rely on, the time we dedicate to media, and the energy we expend in response to it, we can cultivate a healthier and more sustainable connection to the world around us.

Whether you’re facing backward, forward, or have closed the blinds altogether, take a moment to notice: What is your reflection in the window telling you about your relationship with media and the narratives you’re consuming? Are you engaging with intention, curiosity, and balance—or reacting to the clamor of urgent voices?

As we navigate this transitional time, let’s strive for a media diet that nourishes rather than depletes, a focus that informs rather than agitates, and a perspective that builds understanding rather than division. By choosing how we engage with media, we shape not only our perception of our surroundings but also the clarity and purpose with which we journey through the world.