It's been a while since I posted--I've been doing my part-time job and exploring some new ideas that I'm trying to get to fruition... But on Saturday, my part-time job comes to an end, and I have about a week to work on some other projects that I need to get completed before I enter a more "traditional" job at La Jolla Playhouse with hours that equal 40 per week.
It'll be a shift for me--meaning I'll have even less time to get my personal projects done than I have now.
But a hard "reality check" (prompted by examining myself as 2011 comes to a close) has made me realize I've not spent the time that I had wisely while I had it...
This new year will bring new changes that will help me focus a bit more on what I need to do. Several things are developing that will guide my attention more toward my studio and away from time-wasting activities that seem to suck all my drive and determination away.
First off, we have decided to get rid of cable TV from our household. Now, for someone who has never lived life without a TV, I think I will go through a period of adjustment and withdrawal... We are shifting to streaming viewing, so I'll only end up watching TV that I can get through Netflix and Hulu and such. Which, in the end, isn't that bad really. No longer will I be able to simply plop down on the couch and flip through 250+ channels and find something mindless to absorb my attention. No. Now my viewing will be a bit more "consciously chosen", and the television will no longer take up as much of my life as it did. Honestly, I've lost too much of my lifetime to programming that hasn't resulted in much of an impact on me, and suffered through enough commercials prompting me to buy stuff that I'm just tired of it all. I'm done with it.
This decision will save us at least $50 a month. That makes me happy!
This may seem like a baby step, but for me it's a big move toward committing to an artistic lifestyle that will help me be less angst-ridden and a lot more diligent. I can't watch news channels anymore without feeling completely wound up and frustrated by the lack of objectivity, and it's getting harder and harder to find quality serial programming as shows don't have stories with a beginning, middle and end anymore--they just keep going ad nauseum for the sake of generating ad revenue... And if I see another Kardashian, talent show, or celebrity reality drug rehab show I'm going to puke. Thanks, but no thanks. Turns out the only thing decent to watch anymore is the Simpsons, and I don't have to pay so much to do that.
It's interesting how I have a whole book of ideas that I collect when I'm not at home, but once I get the chance to work on them I instead sit and let my brain turn to mush in front of a glowing box... Well, no more.
I realize that once I get into my studio, I get lost and absorbed and thoroughly enjoy my time there... But lately I've felt like I've had to force myself to get down to work, and that really worries me. I can't seem to remind myself enough of the rewards that I inevitably feel when I create. It comes so naturally, and yet this last couple of months I've felt really adverse towards investing myself in any project whatsoever... I'm hoping that removing even a single temptation like my TV will help redirect me toward doing what I know I love.
Anyone else have any experience with this? Impact? Advice on what they did to help them not miss it? I have a feeling that after a lifetime, it might be like trying to quit smoking, in a way... Bit nervous about it, but confident it's the right thing...
Wish me luck? Please? : )
And Live Life with Relish!
Comments
I guess I will be the fly in the ointment. Ellen and I have a total package that included phone, internet and TV with all pay channels like HBO, Showtime etc--with Verizon. It costs us $100 each per month. That is cheap. I watch movies while I cut mats. Ellen listens to movies while painting. We watch very few shows with commercials, never watch reality shows. It works for us.
I'm a little late to this conversation, but I signed up just to comment!! I live in New Orleans: after the flood I was in "exile" across the lake near Hammond LA for a couple of years. The only TV watching there, came with cable. The cable company annoyed me, and I never ended up with it. 6 years later, back in NOLA, no TV has been the best thing ever. I agree with Cynthia (above), now, when I happen to be around a television set, I cringe. I just can't even believe I spent any time watching, especially commercials. Yikes. The only thing I really miss is "No Reservations" which I will sometimes view on YouTube. And yes, I spend time surfing the net sometimes too, but I get a LOT done during the day. Did you know that the average American spends 34 hours a week watching TV? That's almost a full time job! Cut the cord.
We cut the cable cord (satellite actually) three years ago. We had overdosed on election coverage for months preceding the election, and mainly we were exhausted by the constant bombardment of advertising. Now when I'm in a public place and regular TV is on, like getting an oil change, I cringe at how loud and obnoxious and frequent the commercials are...and the programming isn't much better. My husband and I are both artists and we have more studio time. You have to be wary of the internet; admittedly I'm spending more time there but I'm being more selective, seeking out informative and interesting sites like this one. Disclosure: I still miss John Stewart...but not much else. Hang in there -- you will adjust nicely!
Thanks for all the support, gang! It'll be an interesting experience to say the least! I've discovered I have to get a modem so the TV will work with the internet player... But that's on my list for this afternoon. I"m finding it interesting that I'm sort of seeking out different forms of media to keep me occupied--I went from TV to audiobooks this last couple of days... As I haven't been able to hook up the player yet I haven't begun "withdrawals" yet... But based on what you all have said, I think I can get through it. Thanks for your good thoughts!! : )
Hi - No TV is a great change to make. Last year I went to Florida for 6 weeks and had no TV. After the first few days I did not miss it. The one channel I like to watch is on the internet so when I really wanted to see something I watched it on my little netbook PC with a small screen. Good luck. You will love it once you adjust, and I agree you will be a lot more productive.
Oh, and I hate those prescription commercials! Since when should the patient tell the doctor what to put them on anyway. I almost become sick just listening to the list of side effects.
Jacki B
Very interesting Corey. What a great resolution. I agree with everybody here. TV is mostly junk anymore. I can't stand the reality TV shows and I wouldn't have been caught dead watching that Kardashian wedding. I do like a good movie but I never just plop and watch anyway. I am always doing something else with my hands at the same time. Keep us posted on your progress.
Jacki B
Mackie and I have been without Cable TV for about two years now. We have a digital antenna that I installed and get about 25 channels with no monthly charges. We can get all the networks plus Retro TV, the This network, and more religious channels that you could shake a stick at. Typically, our tv is on at night when were home for background noise; Mackie is usually working with her pottery, and I'm carving wood to escape from my day job (creating metal art).
It was hard for about a week and then life continued. Life definitely got a lot better once we got ride of too much entertainment!
Happy New Year!
I have cable and I've noticed that most of the time there's little on that I really want to watch, so why am I paying for this? I spend a couple months a year at a rural cottage without cable or internet and I don't miss it. I spend more time outdoors, I read more and I watch network TV, FOX mostly. In a couple of months time you'll wonder why you ever paid for it. For me the real time waster is the internet. Enjoy the peace.
Corey - enjoy the peace "no TV" brings. We go through a "TV Free" period every summer for about 5 months and then when winter sets in we find ourselves mindlessley watching a few shows, re-runs of a few old favorites and at least once a week discussing why are we paying the ridiculous fees for cable. We haven't quite made the decision to disconnect it, but we're getting closer everyday. Our winter excuse is that the TV is downstairs where our fireplace is and since we heat that area of our home using the fireplace, we just seem to get mesmerized by mindless shows.
To be honest when we're on the road for the summer shows, we don't even miss TV, we're so happy for some peace and quiet after a day spent in the booth that we don't miss it. We load up our Kindles with interesting reading material and enjoy the peace and quiet of summer. Not sure what we need to change with our fall / winter / spring schedule to get to that point for the entire year but honestly, from May to October our TV is never on. We had a good laugh last year when we realized that we had owned our new travel trailer for 7 months before we turned on the TV in the trailer (after spending all day at a show) to watch a Pixar movie we had bought for our grandtwins before sending it to them since our practice is to not send them a movie that is not "Grandparent approved"!!
TV is vastly overrated for entertainment value these days, the "reality shows" are anything but reality and there's just not a lot else on that is worth watching. Will be interested to hear how you adjust since we seem to have the same conversation at least once a week but haven't disconnected the cable yet even though we go at least 5 months a year without watching TV at ALL!