For most people, TV viewing is aligned with letting go and relaxing. We work hard all day, and now we deserve a rest. TV is our entertainment. I don’t feel rested when I watch TV. I feel more drugged than rested. What about you…how do you feel?
The reason I believe that TV is not restful is that people continue to complain that they have too much to do and never enough time to rest. The national average of TV watching is high. If you don’t feel restful after watching TV, you are not receiving the necessary rest when we watch TV. We don’t feel satisfied with TV; otherwise, we would feel more rejuvenated, and there wouldn’t be that many complaints.
When I am indulging in my TV viewing, I could easily watch 3 hours in one night. If I did this every weeknight — that is 15 hours during the week. If I watch another 6 hours over the weekend, that’s 21 hours each week. I’m not a daytime viewer, yet TV watching is every time I put on the TV.
Twenty-one hours a week for one person, which isn’t out of the norm. Imagine how many hours worldwide are given over to TV watching. What do I gain from those 21 hours of viewing? Not much. If I tried to remember what I watched, there is a good chance most of the shows have fled my mind within the first 24 hours…if not sooner. That led me to become aware of just how hypnotic TV is for me. I’m seduced into watching what isn’t important at all and behaving in ways that don’t add joy to my life. I know it’s my choice…was my choice…yet if I want more out of my life, I have to let go of this addictive behavior.
I found out a little secret, for me, that all I needed to do was make one change and it influences my TV viewing. Instead of watching TV while eating dinner, I shut the TV off, eat at the dining room table and focus on my dinner. I can watch TV if I want after dinner, but not during dinner. Since I’ve done this, I barely watch TV. Also, I don’t eat as much. Most people who watch TV eat more.
Some people are smart TV watchers. These individuals usually focus more on educational programs. When the show is done, they shut off the TV. They are the minority. A significant percentage of people who watch TV are more like me…sucked into viewing countless shows with nothing to show for it.
I’ve thought that I may have another 25 years left in my life. If I was to view TV for 21 hours each week, that comes to 27,300 hours more TV over the next 25 years. Translate that to time in my life…that is a little over three years of my life watching TV. I’ve given up enough of my life to TV already, why would I want to give it more.
There are so many other choices I can select to do with those three additional years. I could:
- Read more
- Talk to family & friends
- Take a nice long bath
- Take a walk
- Write another article for my blog
- Learn more about blogging
- Meditating
- ….and the list goes on.
Your Thoughts
How much time do you watch TV? Do you feel satisfied or do you too have that nagging feeling that this activity is not right for you? When you start your new day, do you feel rested or tired? We go to sleep with our TV experiences. I don’t have to be a researcher to know that what we put into our minds we take to sleep with us at night.
You may or may not feel the same way as I do about TV. If you feel the discomfort as I do, then all you need to do is make a small change, and it will influence how you spend your time. Listen to that little voice that whispers within and tells you that TV watching isn’t adding joy to your life. Find another alternative that adds value to your life.
Women’s Group Topics
There is always time to reflect on how we are living our lives. What works for us, what gives us joy and what is a habit that we have fallen into and do it because it’s more comfortable than trying to change. Help each other live their best lives.
Pat
“To fully enjoy the ‘richness’ of our lives, we need to stop long enough to visit with ourselves.”
(Pat Brill)
Other Posts You May Be Interested In
How To Make Each Hour Count in Your Life
Compassion for Myself
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One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way by Robert Maurer
This small, easy reading, yet powerful book created a different perspective on change in my life. We all want to create massive changes, yet small changes add and enhance our lives more and help us move forward quicker. The author fully understands the one small step and presents this concept in a way that can be integrated into your life.
“The Soft Addiction Solution: Break Free of the Seemingly Harmless Habits That Keep You from the Life You Want” by Judith Wright
I read this powerful book many years ago and have picked it up many times to remind myself how I’m losing my post precious asset — my time — by mindless activities.
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This is a really lovely blog – have enjoyed reading it so far! Will definitely come back.
hi, just bumped into your site. nice insights here. come check out my site, too. thanks!
Thanks for stopping by…
Pat
On the individual level, the hours we spent in front of the TV may seem insignificant. Just imagine the aggregate hours that the whole nation could have spent on more productive pursuits. Especially now that this crisis is upon us.
maybe most of what you said is true…however for some people like me…it helps forget the daily grind of life for an hour and so…..after coming from work ( which i dont like )…i watch a good movie or one of my favourite sitcoms…helps me to unwind…..
….the problem is it doesnt allows you to remove your fingers from the remote….so even if some crap is coming on tv…you might end up watching it…or just spend 20-30 minutes flipping the channels……..
I used to watch too much TV in young age then I reduced it. I spend only few hours in one week. It’s to watch my favourite tv shows or any nice movies. The reason I have reduced watching TV is because I prefer to be online, checking out new stuff.
Great post! Something I’ve been thinking for a long time but wasn’t sure if anyone else thought the same thing.
Some people have no interest in TV. For the majority of people, the dance of the remote keeps us there even if we are frustrated with nothing interesting on TV. I think TV is perfectly fine…as long as I just watch what interests me and then shut it down.
It’s when I’m surfing the channels, not unlike the internet, and I need to get up and do something that will add real relaxation into my life.
Thanks all for sharing.
Pat