I decided not to watch any TV this week, starting yesterday. It’s not hard — we have a Tivo with two cable cards so anything I really like will be recorded and saved for some afternoon when I can watch it commercial-free. So I’m not swearing off TV altogether (blasphemy), I’m just choosing when to spend time watching it.
This came about because I realized that I have gotten into this habit of coming home all tired and pregnant and laying on the couch watching TV, having dinner, and feeling like a typical American sloth. Yes pregnancy is exhausting but I think giving in to it all the time doesn’t make things any better. I also noticed I’ve been making these little to-do lists for the evening and then abandoning them entirely.
Another list I made on my way home Tuesday was of the TV shows that I have “season passed”, meaning set up Tivo to record all new episodes. There are only about eight, including The Office, 30 Rock, The Amazing Race, CBS Sunday Morning, Flight of the Conchords, and The Soup.
Brian is joining me on this endeavor, and he has some stuff on Tivo that he likes, too.
There is also the matter of the baby, who will not be allowed to watch television for the first two years of life. So we’ll need to structure our habits around that too, and I don’t want it to feel “difficult.”
So tonight I am listening to music, doing a manicure, washing my makeup brushes, vacuuming, taking a nice long shower, and whatever else I feel like that isn’t TV. We did this last night too and it was very relaxing plus I got my grow lights set up so I can start my vegetable seeds on Friday. Yay!
Oh and there is of course one big exemption: I shall be watching baseball games live. Sports on Tivo just doesn’t work for some reason. Then again, I enjoy baseball on the radio too, so there’s that, and I can even listen to my beloved Giants on internet radio this season, so maybe I’ll go that route from time to time. You’re welcome.
I have an idea! You could knit something. Let’s see what? How about a blanket? Like a scarf but square. 🙂 Can be done while listening to radio, How about a beautiful varigated yarn, garter stitch. The yarn says it all. Love, Mom
A blanket I could probably handle, especially if it’s baby-sized.
The new MLB network has been controlling Jesse’s soul, and having the TV on constantly has been driving me nuts. I mean, we all miss baseball, but I need a break from it.
Probably for the best that we don’t receive that channel. Do you ever say to him you want a break from TV tonight?
sometimes you just need to abandon the to-do list or else life just becomes one big to-do list
this is a great idea. we too can record everything. sadly we watch a lot on the laptop though so that’s basically the same. i think i could do it no problem but the husband…not so much! he is a tv kid through and through.
We don’t have cable but watch loads of movies. We’ve tried to make it so that Autumn doesn’t watch tv but my MIL has her tv on all the time. She watches Autumn for us and we’ve basically had to give up the fight. We’ve given her articles about how tv is bad for children under 2, we’ve cajoled her, turned it off, it just has not worked. But we’re at her mercy because right now she is watching her for free, we’ve got no choice. Anyway. I think you are making a good decision.