There isn't one objective narrative out there. There are countless little story elements floating around and we decide which to select for our story and how they fit together.⁠
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Like confirmation bias—but for your entire worldview.⁠
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If you decide, "life is hard," then you will see thousands of examples of just how hard life can be.⁠
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If you decide, "the universe has your back," you will see thousands of examples of good fortune.⁠
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It isn't one way or another. You decide.⁠
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Like when you go to the movies—if you decide to look for plot holes and signs of unreality, you will find errors and sloppy writing. If you decide to listen for the humour, you will find little jokes scattered everywhere. You decide if you enjoy your experience—you decide if it's a good movie—by deciding what to pay attention to.⁠
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This has never been more literal than with the media bubbles we create for ourselves. We decide—concretely through what we watch and who we follow—what we focus on, what the story is, and what shape reality takes.⁠
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If you follow conspiracy accounts, reality is full of lies and evil plots.⁠
If you follow mainstream news, reality is full of fear, chaos, and pain.⁠
If you follow #mademesmile and #humansbeingbros, hope is everywhere.⁠
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So, if you're tired of the reality you see around you, pay attention to where your attention gravitates. You choose which of the trillions of data points you focus on; you choose how they fit together; you choose what this world is like.