Midlife media crisis
You’ve heard it before. A major monthly increase in the cable/Internet/phone bundle can contribute to serious contemplation over “just how much do I really need television?” The answer’s simple. Of course, no one needs television. I grew up in the seventies, lying on the couch watching entirely too much television. Everyone around me did, too. But, the hyper-technological environment of how we live today is an entirely new realm. iPads, iPhones, tablets, and more are everywhere. How can you live in the moment when the moment is a blur?
Time to take a stand, or at the very least, a bike ride
Being a parent, the single most important part of my daily life is the relationship I have with my child. It’s increasingly difficult to tune out external elements, which is why I’m choosing to physically remove one of those forces, the television. Join me; or, if you have already made the purge, how has your life changed? Have you taken more trips to the library? Do you have time to make things? Do you read more? Are you more present and engaged for the people who are important in your life? If you've been thinking about letting it go, why not start now?
Comments
Does it have to be all or nothing, black or white, television and no-television, iPad or no-iPad ? Is the television/iPad/iPhone to blame or lack of self control?
I read more because of my iPad. Not-less. I don't need to go to the library to check out and e-book. Because of my iPad and iPhone I'm making more things because I can keep the instructions nearby.
I can have it all. Balance.
Thanks for the comment, Khürt! It's encouraging to know that you have figured out how to balance it all. That balance is hard to come by for some. It doesn't have to be "all or nothing," but, for me, it's a matter of simplifying. The television is one small step; I haven't decided to let go of the iPhone.
I lived without a tv for a few years during grad school and even though I now have a television it is on minimally. Life without a tv does indeed lead to a life of doing more.
When the cable company came to our home for a repair a few years back the technician kept asking where the other tv's were located and when we told him that for our family of 3 we shared one tv he seemed a bit shocked. It is one way to keep tv watching to a minimum as we all must agree what to watch and when.
Keep us updated on your no television journey.
I just saw this posted to Pinterest and it is so appropriate -- 100 activities to do with kids during "screen-free" week. Each suggestion is a link... so much fun in one list!
http://nurturestore.co.uk/screen-free-week-kids-activities
We have lived without a TV for several years now, and though the kids complained at first, they don't seem to miss it now- mostly because we use the computer to watch things- so I guess you could say our computer is our replacement TV! I think more thought is put into what we/they watch as a result- and there is more discussion about choices.
The moment we realized that instead of communicating we were just watching the TV screen evening after evening made us stop the TV service. The TV seemed to steal our scarce time for each other. Both my husband and I working and all the kids engaged in school, pre and after school activities... not much time for talking to each other.
Since then we dine together. Everybody shares what he/she has experienced that day at work/school/day care. We communicate a lot more now. We know much more about each other now.
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