Today’s Girls on the Run lesson was one of my favorites. I hand a girl a tube of toothpaste, instruct her to squeeze a really big glob on her finger, and then tell her to stuff the toothpaste back into the tube.
(Source)
The point, of course, is that it is impossible to get the toothpaste back into the tube once it’s out – and that’s just like gossip. Once you spread it, you can’t take it back. (Secondary lesson of this exercise: Coach Caitlin must remember to bring a paper towel or she ends up allowing the girl to wipe toothpaste all over the back of her shirt.)
As part of the lesson, we discuss what actually counts as gossiping. Texting mean messages; telling secrets; talking behind someone’s back; making up rumors; repeating a rumor; and being two-faced to a friend all falls within the Girls on the Run definition of gossiping. And, inevitably, every time I’ve taught this lesson, one of the girls asks me if talking about a celebrity counts as gossiping. It does, of course.
I will confess: I have a terrible celebrity gossip problem. And as my girls would say, this is not a very Girls on the Run behavior.
This is not real news.
I used to be really interested in politics. I was a semi-active member of my political party in college, attend protests and events for topics that I cared about, and wrote letters to my representatives expressing my concerns. These days… I still vote in major elections, but I’m totally apathetic. Probably the only area that I’ve stayed invested in is women-specific issues. I don’t know why exactly it happened, but about four years ago, my interest in world affairs completely died. I stopped being outraged about political injustices and started being gossipy about Kim Kardashian’s divorce.
Still not real news.
Why do I like celebrity gossip so much? It’s light, mindless, silly, and relaxing. It’s totally entertaining. But I have some issues with it:
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A lot of the gossip objectifies women and encourages negative body image (“So-and-so is getting so fat! Has she had a face lift? Look at her cellulite!”);
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It normalizes behavior like gossiping. Sure, I’ll never meet these people in real life, but I’m essentially talking behind their backs, and that’s pretty rude – even if they are celebrities. The normalization of this behavior carries over to my real life, making me more likely to gossip about people I actually know;
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Much of this ‘news’ pits women against each other and encourages them to be negatively competitive with one another; and
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Generally, the gossip focuses on who is richer, prettier, and most successful… not very life-altering or intellectual topics.
When one of my veteran Girls on the Run girls gave me a pointed look when I said talking about celebrities was gossip, I knew I needed to get my act together. She knows that I know all about Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez’s relationship (seriously, how sad is that – I’m nearly 28 years old and I’m emotionally invested in a Disney love affair! And I bet 50% of you are thinking, “Who the hell is Selena Gomez?!”).
Here’s the plan – 30 days. No celebrity gossip. I’m quitting cold turkey. No PerezHilton.com. No celeb articles on Jezebel.com. No checking on celeb Twitter accounts. No stupid celebrity reality television shows. For every minute that I would otherwise be reading or listening to celebrity trash, I’m heading over to the New York Times to actually re-educate myself about politics.
Look! Actual news!
Why a 30-day challenge? Well, you all know I love a good challenge. I’m also not sure that I could change my celebrity gossip habit without publicly acknowledging it and forcing myself to completely give it up – this will hold me responsible and accountable. I hope by May 10 that my brain is fuller, my attitude is less gossipy, and I have zero idea of what Kim Kardashian is up to. And that, my friends, will be a glorious change, indeed. Anyone want to join me?
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{ 106 comments… read them below or add one }
I quit the gossip 2 years ago and haven’t gone back. So much of it is just mean. Out with the negativity.
This is such an awesome idea! I want to try it! I don’t know if I could do thirty days, but I’m thinking about doing a five day challenge!
Y.E.S. Consider yourself joined! I’ve let celebrity gossip be a source of mindless stress relief, but I find myself thinking about whether I’m going to have that amazing post-baby body that the celebs have or if my cellulite is worse, and other RIDICULOUS THINGS. I quit. Thanks for this!
I find the line “even if they are celebrities” to be quite telling … okay, people like KK & Co do deliberately put their lives out there for public “entertainment”, in fact that’s how she and a handful of others make their money. For the most part though celebrities make their money acting, singing etc and not from splashing their private life all over the place. Being a celebrity doesn’t automatically open your private life up for public scrutiny or, as you have put it so well, gossip.
I guess I feel like any public figure… singer, politician, or even someone with a blog… opens themselves up to gossip. But that doesn’t make the behavior okay/positive/helpful to the people doing it. So despite a celeb’s inherent publicness, I still want to quit. Ya know? It’s toxic!!
Yeah, I guess my (poorly expressed) point was that just because it’s easy doesn’t mean that it’s okay.
Just in case it didn’t come across – I think what you’re doing is fantastic!
So I think this is great! I have never been big into celebrity gossip, reality tv or any of that. I just cannot for the life of me fathom why I would want to be so engrossed in other people’s menial problems when I have so many of my own to deal with (normal, everyday things, of course)! I would rather just not think about anything dramatic and enrich my brain in my spare time. (This also applies to my inability to follow the Republican primary. I just can’t watch all these people hate on each other! EEEK)
The way I like to look at it… it’s always good drama… as long as it’s not our own! And that’s why I love it so much. Haha.
But if I give up US Weekly, what will I read at the gym?! ; ) Yeah, I should do this, too.
Great idea. It’s only recently hit me how much of all that stuff is inherently against women. And we’re doing it to ourselves.. who’s fatter? who looks better in their bikini?! apparently I care about these things.. and I shouldn’t.
I don’t buy into gossip. I do like looking at celebrity clothing though. I’m such a sucker for sassy shoes and a cute outfit. I love the gossip challenge and the toothpaste analogy. Great message!
I developed a recent bad gossip habit (not “celebrities” per se but a snarky website that I mindlessly read). I have all these new books I could be reading instead. Or a kettlebell I could lift, or a cat whose nails I could clip, or a meditation bench upon which I could be sitting.
I’m going to pledge 7 days free that gossip. And hopefully another 7 after that.
I gave up television completely six months ago. Nest decision ever!
Not everything has to be a ___ day challenge! I guess I don’t understand why you must completely eliminate celebrity gossip from your life. Isn’t that like someone going on a diet and saying, “I am completely giving up sugary desserts”? Why not view celebrity gossip websites in moderation, while at the same time increasing the amount of time you invest in politics? That seems much more realistic to me.
As my mom used to say “it has no redeeming value” and “it rots your brain.” Challenges are fun, and really, there’s little hope of moderation with stupid gossip.
Gotta agree with Laine on this one – there’s really no benefit for ME to engage in this habit at all. There are other ways to get my ‘light’ fix. Also, I’m just the kind of person who likes 30, 60, whatever-day challenges. They don’t work for everyone, but they 100% do work for me.
Again, that is like saying “I know sweets are bad for me and have no nutritional value, therefore I am never going to have a sweet again.” Unrealistic and unnecessary.
I know my thoughts are not going to sway you, but you have to realize that you are exhibiting the same “all or nothing” attitude that most healthy living bloggers preach against.
With certain things, no exposure is better/more beneficial than “just a little.” It can easily become a habit that is hard to break. It’s easier to not start than it is to try to give it up. Like Laine said, little hope of moderation. That goes for more than just gossip. Addictions (which gossip can be), etc. My grandfather gave up smoking cold turkey a long time ago and hasn’t gone back to it. Someone I know gave up desserts/sugars completely a couple of years ago because they were causing her issues in general and giving it all up was easier than giving up certain desserts/sources of sugar… So. It may depend on the person and the situation.
This isn’t about food but rather mindless drivel. There’s a difference.
Some of us respond to structure better.
I guess i dont get you point. Why is it unrealistic to give up gossip. I had a span of time where i was into celeb stuff and then i realized for me it was just a waste of time. Not every second of my day has to be a mindblowing life altering activity but why not read or learn to cook a new dish that will physically sustain me then caring about what people famous for being famous are doing. There wasnt a point so i started doing things with a lil bit more purpose to em. I dont have any interest in what a celebrity is up to. I have enough goin on around me in my world. If she thinks ts pointless why not give it up. Do you feel bad youdont want to or something?
If there’s no benefit for you to engage in the habit, then why just a 30-day challenge? Why not give it up for good!
I would LOVE to join you. How are you going to avoid “news” on the radio and tv though? Those are my two main downfalls…
And what if people around you start to talk about it?
I don’t know! Good points. I’ll have to see what happens. Unfortunately (fortunately?), I’m normally the one bringing up the celeb gossip with friends, so I may be safe.
OH, the official GOTR response to this question would be to utilize the SBLR technique, which is Stop, Breathe, Listen to your gut, and Respond. So if a friend started talking about celeb gossip, I could pause and say, “You know, I am really trying hard to stop gossiping, even about celebs. Hey, how’s that project at work going?” and change the subject.
I think you’re brilliant; I hope you know that! Your blog makes me so happy to read every day.
I just read an article about the potential benefits to gossip, not the negative trash talk sort of gossip but pro-social gossip. Heres the article:
http://healthland.time.com/2012/01/19/the-upside-of-gossip-social-and-psychological-benefits/?iid=hl-article-editpicks
By the way I am not saying that all gossip is good. I think your challenge is a great idea and negativity definitely needs to stop. The article just provides a view on different type of gossip–it’s kind of interesting
The studies in that article are REALLY interesting! Thanks for passing that along. See, I feel wiser already.
Count me in!
I’ve been thinking about ditching the websites lately, they suck me in for so long!
I should join in on this but it’s become such a habit! I don’t even think about it anymore, I just type it into my browser and there I am at People or US and I started reading! Ahh! Good for you for taking this step!
I love your plan! I am really not a fan of celebrity gossip, I just don’t get it. Why talk trash about people, I don’t know anything about them and their lives!
I definitely think I should join you! I really need to brush up on my politics especially with such a big election coming up.
Good luck kicking the habit Caitlin! I confess I am a huge celebrity gossip/news follower. Sometimes it’s actually useful gossip like “Lily Allen going back into the recording studio??” but usually it’s snarky gossip as usual. Luckily for me, I have an addiction to all things nerdy and news-y. NPR & TED are my current obsessions. I can’t give up my little celebrity gossip time, it’s my break from being obsessed with the world of science, politics and world events!
Oh a side note-if you fall back into celebrity gossip ways after your 30 days, might I suggest Ohnotheydidnt over Perez Hilton. The content is user submitted and can be slightly less offensive than Perez. Note I said slightly!
<3
Erin Margaret
Does People’s Celebrity Baby Blog count too? That one is my guilty pleasure now. =)
I gave up celebrity gossip 3 years ago as my new years resolution and I never went back. I do, however, need to get my gossiping in check. Lately I have been really bad with it, especially at work. The toothpaste analogy was a really great reminder for me to stop. Thanks for a great, thought provoking post.
You’re a brave soul.
This is a good challenge. I’m in. I’m practically addicted to people.com. It’s just become part of my internet routine…check my email, check facebook, check people.com… Such a waste of time.
one could view lamebook as gossip, are you cutting that out too?
Yup!!!
I’m not big on celebrity gossip (my husband reads TMZ more than I do), but I think this is great. I swore off most TV watching a few years ago and spent the time reading, working out and playing with the dogs and feel so much happier about how I spend my time now. Good luck!
This. Yes.
I’m with you! I don’t do much of the celeb gossip anymore (kicked that a while back), but I have been finding myself talking more and more about other people lately…and I hate it! I’m game for a 30-day (or rest of my life!) challenge!
Oh my gosh…this would be SUCH a hard challenge for me!! I might have to think about it tonight and participate. I do often wonder though with how much time I spend reading celebrity news, what I could be doing with my time.
This is really throwing me for a loop!!
Enthusiastic yes, I’m in!
I gave up Perez Hilton a long time ago and never regretted it. But, people.com is still a favorite of mine. I think to go along with this, I will be giving up all media that can be labeled as mindless (i.e. reality TV shows, reality game shows, Bravo, etc). Instead, I want to focus on documentaries from Netflix or no TV at all.
I work for individuals whose names often appear in the news and I see firsthand just how incredibly wrong media can be. Even over the simplest and most obvious details. I can’t imagine how many falsified “information” we are given each day not only with gossip, but with real news as well. It’s sad actually. And another reason why we shouldn’t waste our time reading/viewing it.
I can’t imagine how MUCH falsified “information”
I totally agree with you… I feel like we receive a lot of skewed or false information! It’s so hard to know what’s true.
Very nice!! Unfortunately the republican primary this year seems to be riddled with gossip….or at least mockery.
I will join you!!!
I used to read people.com religiously and I’ll admit it. I kicked the habit for a while but as my thesis is due in 5 days and I’m tired of hearing about Amanda Bynes and everyone else who has more money than me, I’m all in! I’ll even raise you to 60! (I might be on my own for that one
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I try to avoid it most of the time, but some Saturdays at work when we got bored and had nothing to do, we’d flip through People and whatever other celebrity/gossipy magazines we had on hand. Oops.
I think I need to just stop wasting time in general… Which is easier said than done, but it *is* doable!
I just gave up coffee bc it wasn’t good to be addicted to a whole pot a day, and that was torturous. Giving up celebrity gossip? Impossible. Can’t give up two vices in one month
Ashley judd just wrote an amazing piece about a similar topic did you see it? very inspiring. i cant link to it bc im on my phone but it’s a must read!
Yes! I linked to it last night and it definitely influenced my decision to do this. Ashley is awesome.
Oh didn’t see that! yeah there have been a lot of reports of it on social media today so you’re not the only one thinking bc of it, which is awesome
Good luck avoiding it — I watch CNN most mornings when I work out and even they cover some celebrity gossip!! It’s supposed to be a serious news program and they still talk about the Kardashians =)
Just read Wonkette! Hilarious, informative political site that is just as fun as celebrity gossip.
Yay for you Caitlin! I have to tell you, I gave up celeb gossip a few years ago and it’s really freeing. You really do get wrapped up in the stories so each week you feel like you need to see what’s new but who really cares about any of it? I’ve found other ways to entertain myself and I can’t say I miss it one bit. I admit, I’m a big Selena Gomez fan though — for her work though not the gossip and I do have a little girl who loves her too
I just want to say that I would imagine that being such a public role model for so many young women and girls can be heavy. But, the fact that you can recognize things about yourself and resolve that you will change them is in and of itself the very reason why you are such a great role model. Role models don’t need to be perfect people, they just need to be willing to always improve and grow.
Just wanted to say that.
This sounds like a great plan… however we can’t all be perfect. If celebrity gossip is your worse vice than so be it
I’m with you on the challenge. I truly need to give it up along with reality tv, Real Housewives of OC.
Kanye and Kim Kardashian are going out?
Lol. Not trying to engage in celebrity gossip. That’s sincerely news to me. I think you will like it over here on the non-celeb-gossip side. Less petty and catty
I think i might like this one better than the Naked Face Project as it’s something i struggle with too (and going w/o make-up is like a non-event for me, sorry!). I think celebrity gossip is truly damaging to how we think of others and makes us forget what is and isn’t news. A stranger’s sex life shouldn’t really matter to us – our next Presidential nominee should, you know?
Looking at this gossip has become such a boring habit of mine. I do not want to instill any of these values on my daughter. I am in. Thank you for this encouragement.
This is how I feel.. I want to clean up this habit before the baby arrives.
Thanks!!!
I think your plan is interesting. I like reading about celebrity stuff because it is mindless, too, and feels good to kind of, well, space out for a few minutes each day in between challenging work meetings, etc…However, I think it’s a great challenge. The NY Times is fabulous, in my opinion, but there are many other lovely sections of the newspaper that are thought-provoking and stimulating other than politics.
Arts, Food & Wine, Opinion. All fun good choices too!
I used to read perezhilton.com every day. It seemed like he was getting nastier and nastier the more popular he got and it started to turn me off. I realized just by going to his site I was supporting gossip especially since I clicked some of the ads. I quit cold turkey and I don’t visit gossip sites any longer and I ‘m proud to say I’ve never bought a gossip magazine.
Good decision! I think some celebrity gossip is ok, but mainly it always gets me a in a bad headspace- always focused on negative things like pointing out someone with a beautiful body having a touch of cellulite in their bikini, or profiting off someone’s painful divorce or break-up… not to mention glorifying women who are only famous from starring in a sex tape! These are the people young people want to aspire to look and act like? ugh. Gross. I say add listening to NPR podcasts and radio while you’re driving- I learn so much on my commute and it’s so extremely interesting, I look forward to my drive!
To get off my high horse… my guilty pleasure is Bravo reality tv. I won’t go near Jersey Shore or Kardashians, but I love Real Housewives of Anywhere!
I had the opposite experience; I grew bored of celebs and gossip and became an activist. As they say, Ron Paul cured my apathy. For the first time in my life I actually have faith in real change because I see the problems and the solutions. It’s amazing to feel… Free and confident.
I gave up the dailymail.co.uk for lent as I was getting obsessed with celeb gossip and it was making me crazy – I replaced it with (yet more) blogs, angry birds oh and actually working for a change – lol!
Apparently, it takes 2 weeks to break a habit and now I can happily say I am so over the Daily Mail and all the “scandal” – hurrah!
Good luck with your challenge
angry birds = awesome
Good luck!
I can never get over how crazy it is that if I reach a point where I am extremely successful in my career, people will feel free to take potshots at me because “it’s part of the deal.” One question: WHY?
Now we just have to avoid getting caught up in the political gossip.
I’m joining the ranks! 30 days no gossip, only serious, educating information… I feel smarter already!
…ehm…should that include beauty blogs, you think?
Good luck! Set your mind freeeee
Better do your political reading on the Washington Post site…NYTimes is now WAY locked down.
I’m not sure how I feel about this. So many of these people basically got rich simply by being in the public spotlight, and they feed the obsession. Plus, personally, I enjoy US Weekly. If that’s my half hour of mindlessness a week (I don’t really watch TV) so be it.
Good for you! Part of me feels that I should join you, but I also feel like celebrity gossip is my vice that lets me escape a little bit. Good luck!
It really puts it into prospective when you think about it.
I am so again gossip of any kind. In my eyes it’s just as bad as bullying.
But I don’t hesitate to check out TMZ or buy my people magazine when I go through the grocery store check out every week.
Hey Caitlin,
First of all I LOVE this post- something that I need to remember on a regular bases. Second of all I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind checking out my new blog. I am a personal trainer for pregnant mommas and postpartum mommas I know you know lots about exercise and fitness but who knows you might see something you like! ESPECIALLY after baby HTP arrives
PS I am patiently waiting for your transition post about triathlons my Iron girl one is coming up in May and I am TERRIFIED!
I’m definitely adding you to my Google reader!!
I completely agree with you and am going to join you on your new challenge. In fact, yesterday I deactivated my Facebook account just to give myself a break from constantly looking at such links and status updates. I bet if we bottled up the tiny increments of time we’ve spent looking at celebrity gossip, we’d realize we would have a lot more time to spend with family, friends, and work on issues that matter to us. Thank you for the continued inspiration and support!
I quit that garbage long ago and at first the only place I allowed myself to “indulge” was when I went to the hair dresser (because they have ALL the smut mags! lol) I was proud to say that I had no idea who Kim Kardashian was before the big uproar about her sham wedding/divorce accusations and the only reason I was brought into that selfishly vain world is because it sparked a true emotional response by one of the radio personalities I listen to in the morning. She felt duped in a real way. All it did was reinforce why I don’t give that world my energy. There are far more important areas in my life that deserve my attention.
I still couldn’t tell you who/why the Kardashians are celebrities and why they deserve so much attention. I’m happy not knowing and there’s power in that too.
Looking at gossip website has become such a bad habit for me. I see myself checking these sites several times a day. And honestly, I don’t even know why I do it. It instills such negativity. After reading the Ashley Judd article you wrote about in your last post, I felt like I was a part of supporting this type of media. Thus, I am also going to give up all celebrity gossip!! (Thanks for the suggestion to do this!)
Instead of reading gossip sites this morning, I turned it on NPR. I feel smarter already!
I am happy for you doing this. This kind of stuff just clogs up your brain.
I don’t watch much television (just the odd favourite program, and usually online after it has been broadcast) and I don’t do celebrity gossip.
My friends joke that I “have no cultural references”. Which I’m quite comfortable with!
My bad habit is BBC News 24 (I live in England) or BBC Parliament. I like my political blogs and various news sources too (with media bias, breadth of reading is good!).
When I come across celebrity gossip I’m always surprised by how its not really gossip: its mostly what I’d describe as bitching. Mostly about appearance too.
I did this as part of my journey with the Naked Face Project and have continued it. I seriously have NO idea what the headlines are talking about, in the line at the grocery store, and I have NO interest in opening up the mag to find out. This is a great place to be. As the other day, when I may have been opening a mag to gather the ‘story’, instead I chatted up with an elderly man behind me about his baseball cap and team of choice. Now that beats a stupid story of someone who is gasping for attention, meanwhile there was someone who enjoyed being acknowledged!
I am going to do this 30 day challenge too!
great lesson!!! keep posting these girls on the run lessons because i definitely use them with my third grade class and my fifth grade soccer team!!
Speaking of women’s issues…maybe you’ve heard, but today is the 40th Anniversary of the first woman registering and completing the Boston Marathon. And the Director tried to -forcibly- throw her out!
I am SO with you, Caitlin. After 12 – 14 hours of medical nutrition therapy and science-based classes/homework, I love nothing more than sitting down and indulging in some Chelsea Lately & E! News. GUILTY. AS. CHARGED.
Yesterday, I wrote a response to Ashley Judd’s comments on the media’s attacking on her “puffy face.” It was so intelligent and poignant. I encourage you to read it – I think the feminist in you would really love it!
Good luck on your challenge! I am not obsessed with celebrity gossip but I definitely know who Selena Gomez is!
GOTR sounds like such a great program. I looked into volunteering but the programs near me all meet right after school (which makes sense) but I don’t get home from work until 6pm. Maybe one day when I work closer to home.
I coach an LPGA Girls in Golf program and I wish it had more lessons like the ones you talk about. Our program focuses about 50% on golf skills and 50% on life skills but the life skills are more generic (honesty, confidence, ect.) and they don’t have great activities like the ones you talk about (tooth paste, etc.). I would love to add some of your activities to discussions about confidence and honesty and other life skills.
Already letting little ones wipe the yuck/stuff off of them onto you, be it toothpaste then eventually a runny nose…..a true mommy in the making!
I don’t read or watch much celebrity gossip, but I love this post because it’s so honest and real. From the above comments, obviously you struck a chord with so many people! A common issue/habit that many people seem to want to kick. Awesome.
Love that you’d like to clean that up before the baby arrives too – that’s such a neat goal, Caitlin. Thanks for sharing different bits of your life with us, not just what you eat and your workouts. 
That is a great 30 day challenge! I about three years ago I realized I was checking PerezHilton way too much, like several times a day… I decided to change that behavior and limited it to once a day. I then moved to only three times a week. Honestly it was kind of hard, but I slowly began to visit the site less and read more books.
I enjoy a little gossip every now and then, but I probably only visit the site now maybe once every three weeks, if that often.
Good luck with the challenge – you can definitely do it!
I loved this post and in particular the way gossip was explained to the girls. Of course, that being said I too am guilty of gossip (although I try very hard not to)and especially celebrity gossip. I think the reasoning behind celebrity gossip is that it takes our minds off of all the stress of politics and what is wrong in the world because it is a kind of mindless thinking. However, you are very right in that a lot of it is damaging to women and pits us against one another. Thank you so much for this post!
As I was reading this post, I thought “what a great idea!” Then, I immediately had the shameful thought of “thank goodness I already stopped on the gossip sites before reading HTP this morning.”
I am a complete celebrity gossip addict, especially where the royals are concerned. While I hate how judgmental the gossip sites are, I hate even more how they make me feel like I myself am not good enough while simultaneously showing me that, in the gossip world, nobody is ever good enough. Sad, isn’t it, that I keep reading it even when it makes me feel like crap.
I’m totally in for the thirty challenge. It’ll be neat to see if how I feel about my own life changes when I stop obsessing about how the rich and famous live theirs.
Nice! I realized the same about myself – but moreso with reality tv. Lucky for me, we don’t have cable (but let’s be real, the Kardashians are on netflix). I quit having eonline show up in my reader and stopped going to similar sites about a year ago. Some of what I wanted was info on tv shows and such, but I also liked the juicy gossip. Ironically, I wrote a post about this last Friday.
Hope your challenge goes well!
Hope your
I used to be addicted to celeb gossip sites and had about 5 that I went to daily but then I got really annoyed with Perez always talking about British celebs and groups that I didn’t know or care about and cut him out completely and eventually all the other ones too. Now I only go to People.com and eonline to get my gossip fix. I find that those two are pretty legit in what they report and the stories are slightly less sensationalized and less gossip-y (slightly less). Plus people every now and then throws in a human interest story so I feel like I’m reading something of some importance.
Guilty! I use to read People.com and Eonline.com every day. Then I had a baby and while on maternity leave (for 3 months) I didn’t read either site one time and I didn’t miss it at all! I now occasionally click over to them and read the headlines and look at pictures (my favorite part) but honestly after 3 months of not reading that “crap” I felt smarter
Totally doing this.
The celebrity gossip kind of crept up on me recently. When I log onto my yahoo account there are all kinds of articles scrolling through and of course the celebrity news seems to catch my eye.
There are SO MANY other (PRODUCTIVE) things I could be doing with my time!!
Thanks for the challenge!
I’m in!
I spend so much time reading People.com and it’s such a waste. It is also extremely harsh on absolutely beautiful and healthy women and makes me worry what they would think of me!
I’m starting today! Here we go! Thanks for the challenge!
I’m not totally addicted to celeb gossip. But, when I go to the gym, I like to relax with a celeb magazine because it’s mindless. I’m not sure that I am ready to give it up yet.
I used to read US Weekly on my lunch breaks all the time, and it can be quite addicting. You might find like I did that the less you do it, the less you’ll think about it and the less you’ll care. It’s just no longer “essential” to your life!
I used to be addicted to celebrity tabloid magazines and cut the habit cold turkey. Best thing I ever did! Now when I happen to see one of the covers, I usually don’t even know who the people are anymore. It feels good to be out of touch with that word. Good luck!
no one here commented on the real news article you shared. here, here to santorum for “pulling out” on a presidential run he couldn’t carry to term. now leave my uterus alone, you religious wingnut!
I am actually quite proud to say that I came to the same realization some time ago and have weaned myself dramatically off of celeb websites. I used to check the entertainment section every day, visit E!online and know all the goings on of celebs. I realized it was just a time suck and that it was adding a lot of negative energy to my life. I won’t say that I don’t ever click on a celeb story, but I am much more discerning now and usually just read the one article that caught my eye and move on. I *do* still love to see the awards show dresses, but I ignore the catty remarks. Good wishes on your challenge!
I love celeb gossip magazines … such a silly pleasure.
I just had an epiphany reading this post: that talking to friends/co-workers about friends/co-workers they don’t know is still gossip. While I realize this is probably obvious, I’d never thought of it in this way before. Makes me think a little. Thanks!
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I wonder how never ending stories of kim kardashian pregnancy, or the meaningless feud between Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Aniston if at all there is any , would contribute anything meaningful to my life. Celebrities gossip only help people to be shallow minded and if truth be told only jobless people engage in it. I am a victim of this and would love very much to try the 30 days abstinence,
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