It's hard to resist. The frenzy of paparazzi constantly captures images of well-known celebs and gossip rags cry out dramatic headlines from their covers. Celebrity news websites are some of the most popular sites on the internet. It seems almost impossible to avoid getting sucked in to the celebrity gossip craze, and many people find themselves devoting hours a day to keep up.
However, following celebrity gossip can go from an innocent, mindless pass-time to an addiction in no time. Does reading celebrity gossip distract from completing daily tasks? Does Perezhilton.com or TMZ take precedence to paying the bills or spending time with family? It may be time to break the habit, and these tips can help:
- Begin by removing RSS feeds to celebrity gossip sites or the entertainment sections of news sites. Without the information being delivered so conveniently, one might be less likely to seek it out.
- Next, remove 'favorite' links to any gossip sites and clear internet history, further eliminating easy access.
- Stop subscriptions to gossip magazines. Avoid purchasing them at stores or reading them at salons, etc.
- Replace celebrity gossip reading with a good fiction book, a hobby, or human contact.
Gossip in Moderation
Breaking an obsession with celebrity gossip takes time. Those who are trying to break the habit will slip up, but should remember 'everything in moderation.' If the steps above seem like too much to implement at once, don't go cold turkey but rather start off by limiting the time spent reading or watching celebrity gossip each day. For example, if one devoted an hour a day, he or she should cut it down each day by 15 minutes. Changes are easier if made in smaller increments, and can be reinforced with rewards. For each day one goes without gossip, for example, he or she can add an imaginary dollar to a fund to buy something new.
Find Alternatives to Gossip
Many people thrive on reading celebrity gossip because of the drama involved. One starts to feel as if he or she really knows the celebrity, almost as a friend, and becomes invested in their lives and future. This same feeling can come from reading a good novel, watching a regular sitcom or reality show (not necessarily much better than celebrity gossip, but progress nonetheless) or simply spending time with real life friends. Former gossip addicts will find themselves more productive and engaged in their lives and families once they cut down or eliminate their time focused on celebrities.
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