In January, I listed some of my goals for 2015. Since I’m a glutton for punishment, one of those goals included giving up TV for a month. I know what you’re thinking.
You’re totally going to miss the 3rd season of House of Cards.
I know, I know.
I’m currently trying to remedy that situation by binge watching as many episodes as I can.
I also didn’t choose a great month because of NCAA March Madness and considering I’m an alumni of Michigan State University, this could be especially tough. That said, the Final Four and Championship are in April, so if my Spartans perform as expected, I may not miss them play.
So why am I giving up TV for one month?
In short, to bring more focus. You have to keep in mind, I spend a majority of my day writing, wracking my brain to come up with some creative copy, editing countless projects and proofing things on the fly before they go live. Sometimes the only thing my brain can handle when I get home…is mindless TV.
Unfortunately, that mindless TV can turn into a distraction when I’m trying to be productive. The hubster jokes that I’m unable to watch a movie without doing something else. He’s totally right. I’m usually reading an article, writing on the blog or researching something on the internet.
But think of how much more productive I could be without trying to multitask while paying attention to the TV and complete whatever I’m working on. Plus, I may actually finish reading a non-travel related book this year!
So, that’s why.
I realize that some of you may be thinking that giving up TV may seem like such a first world problem. Guess what? It is. I’m totally aware of that and I’m hoping that giving up TV adds a bit more to my life than the Real Housewives does.
Just for clarity sake, I sometimes joke that I wasn’t raised by wolves, I was raised by TV. It has very much been my refuge when things are tough or I want to escape. Sure that’s embarrassing to admit, but the reality is I’m sure some of you can identify with that.
Hey, intravenous drugs could have been my refuge. So, winning?
A few conditions:
This month is more about not actively watching TV.
- We have a social life (shocking, I know). If we’re at a restaurant or bar, I won’t be asking them to turn off the TV.
- The hubster likes to fall asleep to the mind numbingly awesome show, Forensic Files. If it’s on when I go to bed, I won’t be asking him to turn it off. I’ll read or set the sleep timer.
- If I don’t finish watching House of Cards, I may have to complete it since it’s my duty as an American. Plus, Netflix isn’t TV, right?
- If a national or international disaster occurs, I will turn on the news.
- Funny YouTube videos don’t count. Especially squirrel videos.
Wish me luck. Say a prayer. Send Starbucks.
Would you ever give up TV? How long do you think you could do it?