What To Do When Your TV Goes Bye, Bye

With the recent writers’ strike in LA, it looks like fresh TV programming will be scarce for a while. What to do if you’re plugged into the TV world and are now in need of distracting, life-sucking entertainment?

Before I go on with suggestions on what to do with your one precious life now that there’s not so much TV to be had, I have to cop to my feelings about TV.

I think TV is a big, fat waste of time.

I know, there’s good programming out there. PBS! HBO! All that programming that’s out there to help us be better people. I know, we all need a little brain-numbing down time after our brain-numbing up time at the computer all day. Everyone has their thing, and I’m sorry if I’m insulting you (too much) by attacking your TV habits.

I’m not trying to put myself out there as a paragon of virtue, but I have to say that not watching TV has contributed mightily to who I am today. People often say to me, “How do you do all of that?!” and “You’re so creative!” What’s my secret to getting things done and tapping into my own creative authenticity?

I haven’t had a TV since 1987. Yes, ’87. Twenty years of liberation from the boob tube.

So, if you are suffering withdrawl from your usual fix from TV, let me point you toward some options.

1. Check out TV series from the library. My one foray into TV was when I got sucked into watching the series, “Six Feet Under.” The library kindly will send an entire series in one box that has to be returned in two weeks. My couch developed craters where my butt was planted for those weeks, let me tell you. But I loved this series and Alan Ball is one of my all-time creative heroes. I’ve heard that the following series are also worth couch time: “Lost,” “The West Wing,” “Boston Legal.” I’m afraid to get sucked into another series. SFU seriously carved into my creative time.

2. Fill in your NetFlix queue. I recently watched “After the Wedding,” a wonderful Danish film that I highly recommend to you. But then you’ll have those lull days while waiting for your movies! What to do…

3. Read a book. Again, the library to the rescue. Is there a better civic institution than the library? I don’t think so. Okay, the firemen are pretty helpful when your baked brie has turned into brie flambé. Give the libe a chance to fill your need for entertainment. Books, magazines, music, movies can all be checked out from your local library.

4. What about those life dreams? Get a notebook and write down a long list of all the things you want to do before you die. Now that you’ve poked your head out for a look around at life, you may want to start going for your creative dreams.

5. Make something. Anything. A drawing, a love letter, a pumpkin pie, a collage, a shrine. Make up your own TV show based on your life.

6. Reconfigure your furniture. What if the TV wasn’t there – what would the room be like? What would replace it?

Bottom line, turn in rather than outward for stimulation. You’re way more interesting, vital and creative than you think. If you’ve been watching more than seven hours of TV per week, this strike may just be saving your life.

Comments

[Karen]

I'd love to stop watching television and I agree so much. I know it's key to fulfilling my life's purpose, but I also think I'd die from the silence and loneliness after just one day! :)

[Cynthia Morris]

No, you would not die from the loneliness, but I understand. When I stopped reading while eating, I felt a pool of loneliness waiting to take me over. But then after a day or two, it went away and I was able to enjoy my food. I lost two pounds in two weeks just from stopping reading while eating.
In the silence without TV, you'll be able to better hear your Muse.

[Cynthia Morris]

Karen,
Wait a minute. You have the key to fulfilling your life's purpose and you're not using it to open the door? What are you waiting for? Many people wander around not having the key.
Come on! Your adventure is waiting for you!
no...more...T...V....

[Karen]

Oh my! That was wrong. What I meant to say was "key to what I THINK is my life's purpose" or "Key to what I LIKE TO THINK is my life's purpose"!! :)

Maybe I could try it for an hour. It sounds like a sickness, doesn't it? When I think of the trials people have to overcome in life, and here I am worried about being alone with no TV. Ugh.

Thanks, Cynthia!! I think I'll print and read your post 1000 times more.

[Mary Richmond]

I've done both--lived with lots of tv around and no tv in the house. After several years of no tv I have a tv again and although I don't watch it often, I enjoy it enough to not worry about it. I understand how easily a tv can suck up time but I'm such a busy person that it's really not an issue for me. I just don't have a lot of time to waste!