Processing the Charlie Kirk Killing Without Burnout
There are days when the news doesn’t feel like information… it feels like impact. A headline lands and your chest tightens. Your feed surges. You want to stay informed about the Charlie Kirk killing, but the scroll turns into a undertow. Part of you reaches for more details. Another part whispers that your nervous system is already past full.
This guide is a calm room in the middle of that noise. Not to argue sides… to protect your energy while you process what happened. We’ll keep it human and practical. Facts first. Small, steady steps next. Fewer inputs. Better boundaries. More care for your body so your mind can think clearly again.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, numb, angry, or all three… you’re not broken. You’re responding to a shock. Let’s walk through a simple 7-step plan to stay grounded, stay compassionate, and stay you. Ready?
Facts-First (updated Sep 18, 2025)
On September 10, 2025, Charlie Kirk was shot and killed during a campus event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.
Police arrested a 22-year-old suspect, Tyler James Robinson, who has been charged with aggravated murder; prosecutors say they’ll seek the death penalty.
Turning Point USA has now named Erika Kirk as CEO and board chair.
Officials and analysts warn that political violence is rising; treat rumors with caution while investigations continue.
Disinformation about the killing has circulated widely, including narratives amplified by foreign adversaries.
Step 1: Tame the feed so your brain can breathe
Your nervous system reads breaking news like danger. Give it rails.
Choose two check-in windows per day for news. Outside those windows, silence “new alerts” on your phone and pause push notifications on social media platforms.
Turn off autoplay and hide graphic content; you do not need to watch violence to be informed.
Curate sources before you scroll. When you do check in, read a straight recap from outlets you can cross-verify (e.g., ABC News, The Washington Post, PBS, Reuters, CBS, Fox News, The New York Times).
Small guardrails turn a flood into a stream. That’s the move.
Step 2: Regulate your body to regulate your mind
Information lands better when your body isn’t in alarm.
60 seconds of slow breathing, then light movement or a short walk before you read the next update.
Sunlight, water, protein… then the article. Not before.
Aim for optimal experience, not overload… enough to stay oriented, not enough to drown. (If you notice jittery scrolling, step away for ten.)
Step 3: Truth hygiene in a disinformation storm
Five quick tests to run on any social media posts or hot takes you see:
Source. Who’s reporting it first… and who’s confirming it?
Timestamp. Is this from last week or today?
Corroboration. Do at least two independent outlets match? (Try PBS/ABC News/Washington Post/CBS/Fox News/NYT.)
Motive. Who benefits if this spreads?
Emotion spike. If it makes you furious or euphoric… pause. That’s how disinformation works. Foreign-state media amplified several false narratives after Kirk’s killing... proof that outrage is the point.
Bonus: If a claim hinges on a single screenshot or “photos of the suspect” with no source link, discard it until verified at a news conference or in an outlet’s written report.
Step 4: Talk without tearing… family, friends, campus, work
You can care about free speech and still set boundaries. Three tiny scripts:
Curious opener: “I want to understand how you’re seeing this. What stood out?”
Boundary line: “I’m following verified public statements and avoiding speculation… can we stick to confirmed facts?”
Graceful exit: “I need a break from this topic. Let’s revisit after the weekend.”
If you’re on college campuses or in high schools, acknowledge that different communities will process political assassinations differently. Keep it local. Keep it kind.
Step 5: Work is a private company, not the public square
Post thoughtfully. Employers are allowed to enforce codes of conduct. Screenshots live forever. If your workplace asks for restraint, listen… go slow… sleep on it. If HR’s involved, ask for the policy in writing and follow law-enforcement recommendations if they provide any around safety or threats.
Step 6: When leaders and late-night weigh in
Expect political figures—from the White House to Capitol Hill—to respond quickly. Treat monologues on shows like Jimmy Kimmel Live as commentary, not reporting. If it spikes your stress, skip it and return to verified recaps. Focus on what helps you live well today.
Step 7: From doomscrolling to doing
Anxiety loses power when you act.
Check on one person who might be hurting.
Support your campus or community if you’re at Utah Valley University or nearby—vigils, counseling lines, student-led dialogues.
Channel concern into civics you believe in… vote, volunteer, donate.
Then, come back to your life. Next steps are small, repeatable, human.
If you were close to the story
If you were on campus, in the crowd, or knew someone there… slow everything down. Limit replays. Tell a trusted person what you saw. Consider a brief check-in with a counselor and follow official campus updates before rumors. If your sleep, appetite, or startle response go sideways for more than two weeks, seek professional care.
Key Insights: A calm way through a horrific event
Political violence shakes more than timelines… it shakes bodies. When the assassination of Charlie Kirk became headline reality, the noise machine followed. Between hot public comments, late-night takes, and breaking banners, it’s easy to forget your nervous system.
Come back to the basics: facts, breath, movement, limits, care. You can opt out of endless political debate and still be a caring, informed human.
Journal prompt:
Where did I feel today’s news in my body… and what is one boundary that would help me stay grounded tomorrow?
Want help applying this to your real life… not theory?
I offer 1:1 sessions focused on clarity, boundaries, and recovery from overwhelm. Book a free consultation and we’ll map next steps that actually fit your world.
FAQs: Staying informed without getting swallowed
Q1) How do I track updates without doomscrolling?
Pick two windows a day and stick to them. In those windows, check a short list of outlets you can cross-verify, including NBC News Now and other mainstream reports. Avoid autoplay and graphic content. You’re gathering signal, not soaking in noise.
Q2) What about official reactions from Washington?
Expect administration officials to issue statements, and coverage to reference President Trump as style varies. You don’t need every clip. Skim verified summaries, then step back.
Q3) I’m seeing claims from “former senior FBI officials” or about President Donald Trump nominees. How should I weigh those?
Treat them as sources to be confirmed… not conclusions. Look for corroboration across at least two independent outlets before you share or react.
Q4) My workplace is tense. What should I post… if anything?
Remember: most workplaces are a private company, not a public square. Heated public comments can lead to HR consequences, even administrative leave. If you’re unsure, sleep on it. If you’re asked to meet, request the policy in writing and follow any law enforcement recommendations the company relays regarding safety.
Q5) Family and friends keep pulling me into a fight about conservative politics vs the radical left. Help.
Use the boundary trio: curious opener… simple limit… graceful exit.
“I want to understand how you see it.”
“I’m staying with confirmed facts and taking care of my headspace.”
“I’m pausing this for now. Let’s revisit next week.”
Q6) Are late-night monologues worth watching?
If it helps you process, watch once, then move on. If it spikes your stress, skip Jimmy Kimmel’s side of it, skip Jay Leno throwbacks, and return to written recaps. Commentary is optional.
Q7) My feed is full of wild tangents… Vietnam War comparisons, an Epstein case ‘client list,’ rumors about the National Guard, even a debate over a new stadium. What do I do?
Name the spiral and re-center: “That’s a tangent.”
Ask, “Is this confirmed and relevant to Kirk’s death?”
If not, mute the thread. Your attention is precious.
Q8) Are some platforms worse than others for attention traps?
All platforms have traps. Some push shopping or curation content… think Select shopping-style pages under the NBCUniversal Media umbrella or similar product hubs. Nothing wrong with them… they’re just not news. Stay intentional.
Q9) I’m on a campus. Anything different I should do?
If you’re at or near Utah Valley University or any campus community, lean on official updates, counseling resources, and peer spaces that limit speculation. If rumors mention the National Guard, wait for official confirmation before you act or share.
Q10) What’s a simple checklist I can reuse for any horrific event?
Facts first. Time windows. No autoplay. Move your body. Eat and hydrate. Cross-verify reports. Skip performative arguments. Be kind to your future self.
Need help beyond the FAQ?
If today’s news cycle left you spun out… I’ve got you. In one session we’ll set time-boxed check-ins, a facts-first routine, and simple scripts for family and work so you stay informed without burning out. Book a free consultation and let’s design your next 90 days.
Essential Reads for Processing Shocking News
High Conflict – Why We Get Trapped and How We Get Out (Amanda Ripley)
How to step out of all-or-nothing battles and return to curiosity… useful when political debate gets loud.
Stolen Focus (Johann Hari)
A clear look at attention drains and how to reclaim your mind during nonstop updates and public comments.
Amusing Ourselves to Death (Neil Postman)
Media literacy 101… timeless principles for navigating sensational coverage without losing yourself.
On Tyranny (Timothy Snyder)
Small civic acts that matter when emotions run hot… a north star for acting with integrity.
Want help turning ideas into habits?
Book a free consultation and I’ll tailor a simple plan for your reality.
Coaching For Clarity In A Loud World… Start Here
Being human in today’s media storm is a lot to carry.
Breaking headlines. Group chats. Work pings. The quiet pressure to have a take… and still show up for your life.
I’m Josh Dolin, a certified life coach who helps people build a calmer system for modern noise… one that protects mental health, keeps relationships steady, and puts work in its right place. Our sessions are practical and human. We map the real stress points, (late-night doomscrolling, tense conversations after public comments, constant alerts) and design routines you can actually live with.
No hype. No quick fixes. Just honest reflection and small changes that stick… cleaner inputs, better mornings, fewer spirals, more presence where it counts.
Ready to reset your balance?
Book a free consultation and let’s design your next 90 days.
