Can I tell you something crazy that I'm considering? You've probably already guessed it from the title (at least I'd hope so), but I'm thinking about going the entire summer without television. I know, it's crazy. Especially when you're as poor as I am. Why would I throw away such an affordable source of entertainment, and for an entire summer no less? A week, sure. But the entire summer? Now, that's crazy. But hear me out.
TV has always had the absurdly cliche zombifying effect on me. As soon as my eyes lock on to the screen, I'm dead to the world, focused wholly on whatever program is playing. Forgetting eating brains, mine drops out of my head the second that flickering box turns on. Even when I try to avoid it I can't seem to break away. My husband watches several programs I'm not interested in, so I will purposely leave the room and attempt to entertain myself elsewhere. And yet, some problem will require me to enter the living room, pass by that flickering screen and BOOM! I'm stuck like a fly to molasses. Even though it's a show I don't even want to watch.
It's not just that TV turns me into a mindless zombie, it's also a huge time suck. I'll sit down to watch one show, just one I promise myself, then I'll look up and realize it's getting dark out. An entire day will have passed me by and I'll have nothing to show for it. Books lie unread on my night table, edits remain untouched on my desk. And all just to watch shows I've already seen.
So, that brings me to the logical conclusion. Just turn it off and don't turn it back on again until fall, when winter is bearing down on us and I'll need the escape of TV. Think of how much I could accomplish if I just shut the damn thing off. Not to mention, all those summer shows I love. I could watch them in the fall when there would be no horrible, week to week waiting. It would be my reward for a well used summer.
What do you think? Do you have a zombifying time suck making off with the better part of your days and evenings? How do you make the best use of your time?
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My time sucks are my multiple sclerosis and my severe neurological pain on the right side of my face. In the beginning of a week - or at a time when I feel reasonably ok - I have all these plans to organize my desk, catch up on paying bills, work on my blog again, etc. But then my pain & MS kick in and I end up in bed for the week. I try different foods & herbs to give me energy and deal with the pain. . . .Anways, I don't want to complain. So to try to get drawn into something else, I bought some knitting needles and a bk and I am learning to knitt. So, if I can take my mind off some of the pain by knitting, at least I can be productive and people will get scarves as gifts. (I should have thought of this last fall so I could give scarves for Xmas!)
ReplyDeleteSo, if you think not watching tv will help you be productive, I think it's a great idea. I know what you mean. Before I was sick, I got caught up in the boob tube. It's so easy.
By the way, when will be your start & stop dates?
Monique
I know what you mean by pain slowing you down. When I have a bad headache I'm positively useless, and that's just a headache!! I think it's great that you're picking up a new hobby and not letting it all drag you down. Good for you!! (and I'm sure the scarves will make lovely gifts for next Christmas!)
DeleteAs for start and stop dates, I'm not sure. Believe it or not, it's still very much winter over here. It's pretty cold (at least for the time of year) and we still have a lot of snow. I'm going to keep my fingers crossed that the weather turns around and I can start beginning of May, otherwise it will probably be beginning of June, and I'll end September 1st. That is, if I even want to! :)
I hear you, Mel. What is it about the glowing, talking box that compels us to stop what we're doing and be mindless?
ReplyDeleteI was even thinking of going so far as to cancel our cable so that it forces my kids (gasp!) and husband (double gasp!) to read!!! What a cruel person I am!
Seriously, we could go for walks with our oversized dogs, garden, read, clean, and get all sorts of interesting and mind engaging things.
I'll have to get out of the house anyway because the men in my life will kill me for this!
Good for you! And just think of how much fun your family will have, coming up with ways to kill you! It's a bonding activity! :)
DeleteBut seriously, I think it's awesome. I'm hoping to talk my husband into doing it with me, if he's watching that glowing box I know I'll get sucked in too!
That's a great idea!! I do a lot of crochet while I watch tv. That's my excuse for watching! :) but I get even more done when I'm not! Perhaps I should give the old talking box a rest too!
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