When David and I got married (3 years ago), we made a unique decision for two 24 year olds, we decided to not to purchase a television for one year. Because we developed our relationship long distance, we had a very strong communication bond. And honestly, our communication felt so sacred and special we didn’t want it to change it at all.
Three years later, we still don’t have a TV, and we love it! Now we aren’t religious nuts who think television is evil. We do watch TV. We just don’t own a TV. We watch tivo-ed programs at David’s parents once a week (like my Buckeyes football). We also rent seasons of different TV shows and watch them on our laptop. We aren’t legalists about it, but we have found our lives more enjoyable without it.
5 Reasons to throw away your TV.
1. Other media is less time consuming and more mentally stimulating.
It has been proven that your brain isn’t very stimulated while watching television. Check out reading the news, articles, books, and blogs. We listen to a lot of radio and music in our home. We also listen to a lot of podcasts and sermons. We stay informed, just in other ways than television.
2. Consumerism is easier to fight.
Television feeds consumerism in our culture. It makes us want things. It tells our hearts what to desire. It tells us how to spend our money. It tells us what kind of relationships, sex, appearance, success…etc. that we should desire out of our lives. As Christians we all fight the fight to desire the right things, but for us not having a TV helps.
3. You are more unique.
When I used to watch TV, I spent a lot of time watching things that I didn’t really care about. Maybe there were some things I found interesting or entertaining, but there was a lot of time where I watched things that were popular, out of boredom, or things I didn’t really care about. Without the distraction of TV, I’ve found myself able to focus my life more on things that I do care about. This focus makes me more unique or maybe just more like the person I really am.
4. You get control back.
Sometimes TV can be easy, entertaining, and restful. Because of those qualities, it can begin to hijack your rest. I truly believe one of the most important decisions you make every day is what you go to when you feel stressed, hurt, or in need of rest. These are very vulnerable moments in our lives each day, but it is also the opportunities we have each day to experience true joy. It’s important that God, real relationships, and quality moments fill the times in your day where you are stressed, hurt, or tired.
5. Quality and quantity.
Not having a TV enables you to have quality time and conversation in great quantity. For our busy lives it makes it worth it for us.
So maybe you aren’t ready to throw away your TV, and believe me that’s totally Ok! Maybe some day we will decide it’s a right time for us to get one. Even if you aren’t ready to give it up, take some time and evaluate what place TV has in your life.
Also, I’d love to know what your favorite TV show is and why?!
Here’s mine:
Favorite Show: Chuck, 30 Rock (Because they are HILARIOUS)
Favorite Channel: National Geographic Channel
The show I hate to admit I like: 16 and Pregnant
What I refuse to miss: Olympics, Buckeye Football
I love the idea of no TV. I haven’t made it to that point, but I watch a lot less then I did a few years back.
My favorite shows are: How I met your mother, Duke basketball, and occasionally Golden Girls
Fave Reality: Biggest Loser…its great
Hate to admit but I like: Phineas and Pherb (also I share the TV w Kaden. lol) and Pretty Little Liars!
Kari,
As your friend, I need to tell you something… For your own good. You’ve obviously never seen my Buckeyes, because if you had you would not speak of this Duke team. The next time the Buckeyes are on tv winning, I’ll give you a call and we can watch them! And you can forget about this Duke thing. That is all. :):)
Missed you this week!!!
Kate…as a friend…I like winning teams, and this year was not so hott, but my heart is with my blue devils lol!
I miss you too! I will be back on track next week lol.
Hope you have a GREAT rest of the week
Oh well, we must agree to disagree.:):) But only because I like you so much!!:)
I leave you with one final thought in the world of sports from my football coach dad,
“Win if you can, lose if you must, but always cheat.”
Hahahahahahaha
My favorite show: Glee
The show I hate to admit I like: Glee
The show I will never miss: Glee
Ohmygosh!
I heard the sound track to Glee the other day, and I sang my heart out!!! I’ve never caught the show, but the music was so much fun!
The writing is sooooo bad. I can never let the other English majors know I adore this terrible TV show.
I think this is great! We have a tv but no cable. And we haven’t had cable for most of our marriage with the exception of a month where we tried out basic cable. I love it! We watch our shows on the weekends on Hulu. It saves so much money and we have to be creative with how we spend our time now!
I’ve been fasting TV altogether for Lent and it’s been really hard, actually. I just liked that I had the option to decompress and turn my mind off while watching Real Housewives on Hulu. It takes alot of self control to not turn to TV to soothe fear and stress… It’s been a sacrifice. Just this week though, I’ve started feeling so excited about it. I feel like true peace has returned in our house. I’m reading a great novel and painting and exploring my city more!
My favorite Show: 30 Rock, cause Liz Lemon is a film version of me. Community, Parks & Recreation, Cash & Cari
The Show I hate to admit I like: The Bachelor/Bachelorette
The Show I never miss: 30 Rock
Good post, Kate!
Katie
I read this today and then read it to Michael when he got home. Just lately Michael and I have decided to not watch some on the shows we used to love and now watch more home improvement shows. Maybe our next step will be alot less tv. I thought this was great and so true of the influences that tv has on us. Thanks for sharing.
I completely agree. With all of this. My Diane and I made the decision to keep the TV but get rid of cable. We only watch games, movies, and if we want to watch a show, all episodes are online. We have found that our relationship is much stronger and we are much more productive toward our goals and dreams. I highly suggest getting rid of, or limiting TV watching!
-Nick
Mike and I haven’t had TV/cable since we got married 2 years ago. I don’t miss it at all! haha! Since we haven’t had TV it’s hard for me to come up with shows that I like! We mostly just watch movies from the library! lol!
I do kinda miss watching the morning news and seeing the weather and what is going on in the world. lol
The show I hate to admit I like: American Idol
What I refuse to miss: Olympics, Buckeye Football, Any Equestrian sport shown on TV
Hiiiii sister. 🙂
Hi Katie, first let me say how proud I am to call you my sister in Christ.
There was a time in my life when I could not afford the cable tv service that would allow me to be able to view anything on the tv. I really cherish that time in my life and would not mind going without the tv now.
10 years later we have our favorite shows on tv and I must admit that I LOVE to set the timer on the tv and fall asleep to Pawn Stars or Pickers. If we decided to go tv’less I would probably have to fall asleep with my kindle in hand.
Other favorites are:
Diners Drive-ins and Dives
All In the Family-we like to watch this while we eat dinner
Friends
Hi Katie,
What a great article! I totally agree with all of your comments. I am so proud of you and all of your writings.
I really don’t watch too much TV. Even though we have cable, there still doesn’t seem to be too much on that interests me. I do like NCIS just because I have always liked detective books and mysteries. I read all of the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books when I was younger – way back when!
I do sit in the room when my husband is watching TV just so I can be where he is in the evenings. I usually am doing something else like catching up on letter writing or cards, braiding a rug, etc. Keep up the good work and God bless you and David.