For full disclaimer, we do have a TV but it is without antennae or cable or anything of the sort although we do have a Roku to stream on-demand. And even this was only a relatively new development in life from a year ago.
Ever since my wife and I got married, we had made a purposeful decision to do life without TV. The decision was based on two things: 1) The wife doesn't particular like or have a habit of watching TV or movies, and 2) I was spending an unhealthy amount of time watching TV, streaming things online or watching movies during our dating and engagement process.
So the decision was made to forego TV as we were forging onward with our new life, in the attempt of creating more time and interaction and purposefulness in life. And I would say it went alright. Without the temptation of a big screen and the ease of just hitting the power button on a remote, I wasn't able to create a means of escape from life. And even with streaming media, it was hard watching on an iPod Touch or on the laptop, you can only squint your eyes so much. Additionally, I found that I was more discerning about the quality of the story and content in films and shows than before as all the fancy digital effects and whatnot was too small to notice on a small screen like an iPod or smartphone or even on a 13" laptop. It only takes so long before eye-fatigue sets in.
What we did learn during those years without a TV was that real live conversation was the order of the day and board games was the go-to entertainment and God forbid, we actually went to the gym to work out too (although, I have to admit I did spend a disproportionate amount of time watching the Food Network while "working out"). Overall, I do have to admit that our quality of life and our relationship did improve. Granted, we were often out of the loop with current TV shows and media or even what was showing in the theatre, but with that, discussions with friends were focused more on life and what was actually happening instead of just want we have seen on the tube.
However, this all changed a year ago. We were good on following the recommendation of no screen time with kids under two. However, as the older one started daycare and preschool, he was often out of the loop on what all the other kids knew. He had no idea who Batman, Spiderman or any of the other superheroes are. Instead, he recognized logos and made up his own story. Kudos to him for being imaginative but it didn't help with his social integration since no one knew what he was talking about and he didn't know what everyone else was talking about.
So we went and got a TV. And with that, we were also offered a 6-month cable subscription for free. During those ensuing 6 months, we learned that as a couple we loved watching the Food Network and the Home and Garden Channel. And guess what, we watched it almost every night after the kids went to bed. The deeper conversations of life kind of stopped or at most just trickled. And we stopped moving (another word for exercising). It was all kind of surprising. It was so easy to just plomp ourselves on the couch and hit the power button and just tune out life. It was great.
As the 6-month promotion came to an end, we decided not to continue on. It was sad to see the cable box get picked up and leaving our lives. Now our TV is dormant 90% of the time, despite still having a streaming media box hooked up. Life is returning back to normal. Evening time is now spent on chores, conversations and just relaxing (without tuning out the world and each other).
There is a simplicity to life when you are able to unplug and untune. There is a connection with a real life person that is so much different from tuning in to something on a screen. There is merit in thinking through what is worth my time and how it is best spent, on other people or achieving something. I think life without TV was a good call in the beginning and with the brush of TV, it just confirmed it a bit more. Although I do have to say, TV-babysitting was a lifesaver at times.
What about you? What are your thoughts on TV or no TV? Would love to read about your experiences.
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