8 positive changes I acquired after giving up television

Photo by James Good

In May I made the decision to do a one month trial of no TV watching. Blockbuster movies were alright, but I was not going to watch any regular television or cable shows or record something on my DVR. At the end of the 30-day period, I was delighted with the outcome, so I continued on. Now that it’s been over three months, I think I should share my observations on my life without television.

1. Becoming more conscious of the TV’s existence
When I discontinued watching television, I became much more aware of its presence when family members were watching it. I began to find the television a noisy irritation, and I started encouraging every one of my family members to keep the television turned off beginning with our mealtimes.
2. Noticing televisions presence outside our household environment
When I would go to the gym, I started noticing all the television and video monitors. My gym has flat-panel TVs with individual remotes at most of the cardio exercise stations. I always turned mine off — I listen to audio programs on my mp3 player instead. It was then that I began noticing how many other people there would be watching television. They all looked hypnotized. The whole situation began creeping me out, like I was exercising with a bunch of tranced out zombies who came to consume their social training for the day. The movie The Island came to my mind.
3. Saving time
I used to watch TV during lunch, so without the television, I would eat much faster, often finishing in half the usually allotted 60 minute time. This created some additional time in my day, which I enjoyed.
Without television in the evenings, I began to read more, go out more, and spend more time with my family, immensely more enjoyable than watching television.
4. Growing in a social context
I don’t know why, but I developed an impulse to expand myself socially, which appeared to grow stronger as time went without television in my life. I had a desire to spend time with genuine people, especially one-on-one. I began conversations on the phone more often, attending social outings, and accepting more lunch and dinner invitations I find myself doing something socially every day now. I believe that too much Internet socializing has the same negative impact as television, it fills an emptiness, and there’s no replacement for talking to people in person. Television cannot compete with being with the right people in your life.
5. In search of higher quality activity
Television creates a craving for entertainment and distraction. With the television set in the off position, I finally said to myself, ”Hold it a minute here — I’m living this beautiful state, and I haven’t even attended a small part of the shows here.” So I said to my wife, “Let’s go see some shows on the at the theatre.” Over the course of the next year, we are planning on attending many more of the magnificent shows in town. When I compare a live act to watching television, television is the loser hands down.
6. Becoming more motivated
Over the past two months, I’ve been more ambitious about upgrading my education and especially flight instructing. I accepted a few more flight training students, and I’m open to accepting more. I’ve also started planning on offering public workshops.
7. Spend a smaller amount time on the computer
Giving up television had me questioning how much of my time I spend in front of the computer. I’ve been scaling back on my Internet activities and taking on more projects, such as upgrading my yard and furniture. As previously mentioned, I’m doing a lot more outside of the home. Spending the entire day at my office desk doesn’t seem as comfy anymore — My urges now are to go outside or at the very least to get away from the desk.
8. Missing TV
I discovered that this an astonishingly effortless habit to break. I went cold turkey, and I experienced no withdrawal symptoms. You might be thinking giving up television means to sacrifice something, but it’s just the complete opposite. Sitting in front of the television means sacrificing social gatherings, quality types of entertainment, and of last but not least your valuable time. Something that can never be recouped.


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