Instead of TV

I like tv. I like it more than you do. I like it the way that an alcoholic likes a glass of whiskey.  I like it so much that I hate it.  I've long noticed that watching TV gives my brain an immediate dose of endorphins that fill me with an initial euphoria as I slide onto the couch and hit the power button.  I've also noticed that as soon as the TV turns on, every productive impulse drains out of my body, and it takes an enormous act of will and/or consistent prodding by my wife to unstick my velcro backside from the fabric of our dear sofa.  And if I'm already doing chores or playing with my daughter, I have this nagging sensation in the back of my mind, "I can't wait to see what Tivo has waiting for me tonight!"


I'm tired of fighting that fight.  I'm tired of having that argument with my wife and with myself.  So I've decided to see what life will be like if I give up TV completely for 1 year (with rare exceptions; see rules below).

After

Before

This blog is where I'll be keeping a list of things I do instead of watching TV, mostly for my own self gratification and motivation. I think it will be encouraging to see everything I've accomplished during my TV fast. It will be mainly a collection of lists, but may also contain some sporadic thoughts and extrapolations from the day's experiences. If it ends up being entertaining it will be completely by accident, but if this becomes a million-hit blog, followed by a best selling book, followed by a heart warming movie of personal triumph in which I'm played by Matt Damon, I think I'll be able to live with that.  

I started this challenge to myself on Dec 26th, and here's the list of things I've done so far instead of watch TV.
Days 1-4: played with my new iPhone.

My newest temptation

Dang.  Not off to the best start I know, but I'm confident that better things are on the way. 

The Rules 
1.  Recognizing that this is somewhat of a punishment to my wife (who also loves TV, but does not share my self control issues), I'll allow myself a TV or home movie "date" once a week.


2.  I'll allow myself to watch a rare event (e.g. the Super Bowl) with a group of other people.  I don't have a problem with TV when it's a means for socializing and building relationships. I just think I watch it too much by default instead of actively participating in my life.


3.  I'll only list things that I would not have done if I were in my normal TV-watching routine.  For example, despite my TV habit, I was able to groom myself regularly, take out the trash, and do the dishes a few times a week, so those items won't make the blog.


That's it.  Pretty simple really.  I won't be wearing the Sensory Deprivator 5000 every time I eat at a restaurant or go to a friend's house where there's a TV turned on. The point is not a total media blackout.  I just want to quit being controlled by the 32" glowing box in my living room.


I expect that I'll be bored a lot of the time initially until I figure out what to do with myself. I expect that I'll have the opportunity to be a better husband and father with the extra 2+ hours/night I'll have.  I also expect to meet some unanticipated challenges along the way, but overall, I'm optimistic that this is a turning a point in my life.  The day I turned the TV off and started to write my own story.  Maybe it's worth watching or maybe it isn't, but at least it's mine.