Yes, I plead guilty… when I heard somebody talking about “Game of Thrones” for the first time, I raised an eyebrow when I learned they were discussing a series and NOT a card game. I have no clue what is “hot” on Netflix and I’m a total nerd when it comes to knowing TV characters. I could easily sit next to a famous TV actor and don’t even recognize the person! Haha, maybe I’ve already done that 🙂
How did this happen? Because I’ve been living without TV since 2015. It was then that I and my husband moved from Belgium to South Africa. The TV and state-of-the-art surround sound system weren’t coming with. “We’ll buy a new one as soon as we get settled” we said. We got settled but that TV never came.
Did we really watch too much TV?
I was breath taken to find out that an adult, on average, spends more than 5 hours a day watching TV. I was just one of them but never realized that it took up such a big part of our lives. Until we all of a sudden had so much spare time on our hands!
If somebody says they really don’t watch TV AT ALL I chuckle! I guess they must get their knowledge about the latest series somewhere else. But hey, if that makes them happy, then I’m happy for them as well. It’s just not for me anymore.
So, how DO you survive without TV, Netflix, or some other form of moving images on a screen? Well, I’ll let you in on a big secret!
My screen is even bigger than the biggest one you can imagine. However, my screen is not plugged in, it’s the big thing that’s called nature and being outside. Yes, I know, I live in a warm country, in a stunning environment (yes, I’ve got a great Backyard) it’s easier for me to go outside… I’ve heard it all! But look, I’m also not outside for 5 hours a day, it doesn’t replace my TV hours completely. I also read books, have conversations, play a game, and most of the time I go to bed early so I can start the next day refreshed.
Going to bed early? WHAT!
Going to bed early means waking up early. By the time the average person has made their first cup of coffee, I’m out and about. I’ve not only created an evening routine but also a great morning routine that works like a charm. I’ve never been so productive in the morning since TV has left my life. How? Because I go to bed at a reasonable time (usually between 21.00 – 22.00), I get a good night’s rest and I wake up refreshed. Because there is no TV, there is no more “zapping”, no more temptation to look at something that’s got no meaning at all, but you are looking at it anyway. Only to realize hours later you’ve fallen asleep on the couch and it’s already way past 01.00!
No more TV has got so much more advantages than only the scientifically proven ones.
Since I start my day early and I’ve got very productive mornings, I turn off my computer around 16.00 and then step outside. I go for a walk for about an hour, almost every day. I recharge, go over my day, and contemplate what I can do better tomorrow.
AnonymousFor one minute, walk outside, stand there, in silence, look up at the sky, and contemplate how amazing life is.
Oh yes, I tried Netflix and for a moment I liked it. But then also realized that I stayed up later and later, wasn’t reading any more books, and my productive mornings had vanished. But hey, at least I knew what was going on in Suits!
It went on for a month or four and then I canceled the subscription. And guess what, I felt relieved. I’m happy not to know when the next top series is going to be released. A good quality of life has another meaning for me.
Are you ready to go cold turkey?!
Have you got what it takes to turn your TV off and try other means of entertainment? Are you ready to step outside and discover your Backyard instead of discovering the Backyards of “Orange is the New Black” or “House of Cards” (I just googled “Most popular series on Netflix” to get this info)!
If you said yes, then there are two ways you can approach this hurdle. Just unplug your TV and put it aside, like now! Cool, now you can think about what you’ve just done!
Or, you can plan it…
- Prepare yourself and your family members.
- Start by reducing your screen time step by step.
- Search for alternative means to spend your evenings.
- Play a game
- Read a book
- Sort those family pictures out once and for all
- Learn to bake a cake
- Chat with your family members, your cat or dog, don’t worry, we all do that 😉
- GO OUTSIDE! You’ll also sleep better, trust me ?
- As soon as you are ready, try to go without TV for a whole weekend, then for a whole week, next step a month…
Before you know it, you are a couple of years down the line and you’ll be writing a blog post about it!
P.S. Living without TV was just one of the steps I took to find clarity in my life, create a more balanced life, and manage to start living with intention! If this sounds like music to your ears, then download the FREE E-Book, your 6-step roadmap towards finding clarity, and start living with more intention every single day.
This is awesome! I googled “how to fully live without tv” this morning and your post was the first or second to pop up. I totally 100% agree with you and am trying to convince my family to do the same. I truly do not watch much television, mainly because whatever is on is the choice of our 10 or 3 yr old. So I’m completely out of touch with anything adult-like, but can pretty much sing any Disney Princess song – ha.
Today marks the 1st day of a new month and I really want to encourage our family to try it out for a weekend/week and then a month. I’m sending on your blog post to others. Thank you for this!
How are you doing now since 2019?
I finally switched off my TV. I no longer worry about the dreaded cable bill, $200.00 USD, just to watch 4 maybe 5 channels that are good and aton that ain’t no thank you. I do listen to the radio A lot. Course I am in radio as a station owner, and on air personality. But my what its like early in the morning at 04:00 I’m up, dressed, liquid yogurt, and on my Harley into the Mountains around me. Saying hello to the killdeers, robins, and even the ravens. Sitting outside in a chair, watching the tiniest ant hustle to push a crumb to the ant hill. It’s so enjoyable. I now have 65 different blogs I write , just on Blogger, I have 4 websites, and write on them as well. Sure my internet as far as bandwidth, is dsl, style, and slow. But it still gets me along just fine.
I grew up with no t.v. and at the age of 48, I still am t.v. free. I am a big avid reader, historian, always hiking, fishing, white water rafting, running, and enjoying life. I occasionally enjoy a good movie at the theater, and I have a hand held dvd player, but it may be in use once every month or two. Not a subscriber to any internet movie companies, and I cannot tell you what is playing on the tube or the current popular actor/actress.
Love to read this Matthew! I believe the longer I go without TV, the more I cqn qppreciate other things. For the first time in my life, I’ve read 64 books this year. Still can’t really believe it!
I’ve been TV free for over 20 years. It is wonderful not being advertised to.
Glad to see that I’m not alone and that more and more people are starting to appreciate life without 🙂
Waw Peggy, another inspirational post. I grew up without a tv and spent most of my time as a child outside. I guess it still shows. Growing into my youth however my mum bought a tv. I remember hurrying back home after school to watch ‘The Bold & the Beautiful’ (please, don’t judge me :)) Nowadays, I do try and reduce ‘screen time’ and swap the television for a book or for a cardgame when the kids are home, or for one of your walking challenges… 😉
The Bold & The Beautiful, same here ?
Thanks everyone. I am getting ready to inch forward. I want to leave the world something that makes it better. Judge Judy has hers; now it’s time to get mine.
I’ve not watched my TV at all for a week. But this came about entirely by accident: my 27-year old TV set went haywire. I’m not sure how I feel about it. But it HAS changed how I do things–for instance I can cook a meal, do laundry or go on a walk with my cat, without the constraint of worrying about getting finished in time to watch a TV program at a certain time.
Hi, so great that you haven’t watched TV by accident, that’s often how good things in life start 🙂 How are you doing now?