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43 Things To Do When You Stop Watching Television
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Over a year ago, I stopped watching television. In fact, I don’t even own a television. It’s saved me money, freed up my time, and given me back my opinions. When I tell people I don’t have a television, they always respond with shock and awe, followed by either admiration or scowl.
I usually get the following questions:
- What do you do with all that time?
- How do you know what’s going on?
- Don’t you get bored?
Here are some answers:
- Save $2000 a year from cable and electricity.
- Engage in your life instead of watching people pretend to live theirs.
- The average American spends 28 hours week watching television. Reclaim your time.
- Make love passionately for hours.
- Visit another city, state, or country on your savings.
- Go to the spa every month.
- Go salsa dancing.
- Take bellydancing, yoga, pottery, name-of-the-class-you’ve-always-wanted-to-take-but-didn’t-have-the-money-to classes.
- Learn to invest.
- Pay off your debt.
- Read a book a week.
- Enroll in courses for a degree.
- Get a part time job.
- Cook.
- Start a business.
- Become a Toastmasters’ Competent Communicator.
- Canvass for your favorite presidential candidate.
- Develop your spiritual practice.
- Take bellydancing, yoga, pottery, name-of-the-class-you’ve-always-wanted-to-take-but-didn’t-have-the-time-to classes.
- Exercise.
- Acquire leadership skills by serving as an officer in your favorite organization.
- Screen your news.
- Get information from consciously chosen sources.
- Create your own standards for living.
- Visit museums.
- Create your own beauty standards.
- Experience joy.
- Meet your neighbors.
- Talk to your neighbors.
- Make friends.
- Reconnect with friends.
- Explore the city you live in.
- Attend concerts, dance recitals, and plays.
- Visit local art shows.
- Discover music.
- Plant a garden.
- Get a pet.
- Go for aimless walks.
- Watch birds, lizards, and other creatures.
- Babysit for a friend.
- Search for the Truth.
- Date yourself.
- Go to bed and wake up early.
Guess which 5 I haven’t done 
In Spirit,
Nneka
June 2nd, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Great list. However, numbers 9 and 18 are the same.
June 2nd, 2008 at 9:12 pm
I have also gotten rid of my cable, just not the actual TV. I watch just one show a week that is free on the internet.
In my spare time, I am playing more with my son and finishing my Bachelor’s degree online!
Great ideas, I’m right there with you!!
June 2nd, 2008 at 11:22 pm
Although I can’t say I don’t have a television, I can say that I haven’t had cable for about 3 years now and it has made a HUGE difference in the quality of my life.
We do have a Netflix subscription and love watching spiritual / inspirational movies… but it’s really refreshing to not flip on and have the chaos of the news, commercials, etc.
Now watching regular TV is actually quite jarring for me.
June 2nd, 2008 at 11:22 pm
Hail, fellow non-TV person, and well met.
June 2nd, 2008 at 11:25 pm
I would love to try this for at least a while, I don’t really watch TV much anyway, usually surf the web which isnt much better.
But my girlfriend is one of those come home, turn on the tv, multitask everything with tv, then go to sleep types.
June 2nd, 2008 at 11:30 pm
I don’t like that you imply that it’s impossible to experience joy if you watch TV. I don’t think that watching Lost every week is turning me into a joyless husk of a man.
June 3rd, 2008 at 12:22 am
I stopped watching TV last August. However, surfing is almost as bad…I just get more info and dwell on things of more substance. I force myself periodically to limit my internet use to one hour a day so I can spend more time on reading, prayer and human interaction.
June 3rd, 2008 at 12:37 am
I watch at most about 4 hours of TV a week. I didn’t mean to get this way. Just got out of the TV habit from working odd hours.
Instead I watch Netflix movies, work on art, drum and read instead of TV. And I love every minute of it!
June 3rd, 2008 at 10:56 am
KnowledgeNinja, love the name. You have a great sense of humor. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.
Hi Didi, you go girl! It really does release something. I’m not sure. I think it’s the rays.
Hi Chris, I have Netflix as well. I started out with 3 movies and I’ve backed down to two. I found that within a couple weeks I was coming home turning on my laptop and watching a movie. Yikes! Kinda defeated the point of not having a television. The biggest gift that I’ve gotten is slowing down the information that I consume so that I can filter it a lot better.
Hi Keegan, I’m waving. Pleased to meet you also
June 3rd, 2008 at 11:05 am
Hi Chris, for about a year before this I cut my TV viewing significantly. My ex had the same habit your girlfriend has. We had a 2 story house and I just started bypassing the living room and heading upstairs. Unfortunately, I just headed upstairs and surfed the net. Maybe you could talk to your girlfriend about trying it for a week. Just unplug it completely for a week.
Hi Lee, thanks for the comment. Let your conscience be your guide.
Hi Amy, you are so right about moving the emphasis from TV to computer. I’ve started turning off my computer for 2 days a week and avoiding it another 2. However, I also have a lot of information coming to my inbox and, of course, this site. It is possible to manage it though.
Hi Kim, ain’t life grand. I spent 5 years living, ahem existing, in a city and complaining that there wasn’t anything to do. Well! I tell you a whole world opened up.
June 3rd, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Nneka - This article is really interesting. Thanks! I’ve just found your site as part of some new research I’ve been doing!
I also have a really interesting concept I would like to share with you– a friend of mine had recently read Harmonic Wealth by James Ray and showed me a section because she thought it reminded her of me. That is how it all began. (lol!)
James Ray said, “If your not growing, you’re dying.” Six simple words that I really needed to hear. I guess it was because I was complaining to my friend that I just wasn’t feeling stimulated enough. It wasn’t as if I was doing anything “bad” in my life, so I was not sure why I was not feeling right. After learning this idea, I realized that “staying at even par” is not enough. That bad feeling was because by not growing, I was staying in the same place, just plodding along towards my death in a way. Doing nothing has negative consequences. But if I was to start growing, I would be moving my life forward, expanding it into something much more exciting! That’s what living is all about.
After I finished reading Harmonic Wealth, I realized I needed to commit myself to a lifetime of learning – it did not end when I threw my graduation cap in the air. Check it out for yourself… (Link) By the way, the Spanish classes I singed up for are going great
Here’s the link to the website where I bought the book: harmonicwealth.com/read
- a James Ray fan
June 3rd, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Hey.
I rarely watch tv and when I do it’s usually a show on the history channel or the food network channel. I do spend more time on the computer though but it’s mostly to keep in touch with friends on Instant messenger since I’ve moved so many times.
I’d much rather read though I can spend hours reading without realizing how much time goes by which isn’t that good either!
June 4th, 2008 at 11:37 am
My TV broke about three weeks ago. We don’t have cable, but my husband and I frequently enjoy watching movies and playing video games! The funny thing is, I believe my brand new, 3 month old HDTV broke for a reason. I believe God had another idea in mind for my time… I started a blog!
#44. Start a blog!
June 4th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
From one fellow non-tv watcher to another, I love your list! I haven’t watched television (cable tv, that is) for over ten years. I really love Oprah, but it’s funny, I’ve never watched any of her shows (except online)!
June 4th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
Yes, Have done the same and one of the results is a new website and blog on Spirituality for Living.
June 4th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
My favorite is #24. I unplugged my TV more than five years ago, and haven’t looked back since! I do have a screen and a projector, and once in a while will watch a movie, but my life has been so full that I don’t even do that as much anymore. It’s far more interesting to live your own adventure than watch someone else’s!
June 5th, 2008 at 8:03 am
I too don’t have a TV, however it doesn’t save money as such. A lot of the things I do instead cost money and I suspect wasting my time in front of the TV is probably cheaper, but obviously much less satisfying.
Spread the word.
And for all you Netflix fans, not sure how it works in the US but in the UK the humble public library is a great place to find a surprisingly large number of DVDs, for free!!!
June 5th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
[...] Not into reading? Nneka at the Balanced Life Center has some other recommendations! [...]
June 5th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
I guess you haven’t done 4, 11, 13, 15, 16 and 20.
I know, that’s six. I couldn’t narrow it down.
Great post, thanks.
June 5th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Hi JRFan, thanks for leaving your comment. The growth comment is true. Just recognize that sometimes your growth is within and you might not see anything changing on the outside.
Ana, that darn computer. We spend all day on them at work and then when we go home. I like just turning on the music and dancing around the living room, or sitting on the porch watching the birds.
Hi Emily, will you answer?
Belle, I had no idea. I need to start watching Oprah online. I feel like a revolution is happening on her show and I’m missing out. Every time I turn around someone is talking about her!
June 5th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Way to go Dragon Intuitive! I love your name.
Nancy, I couldn’t believe how much of my thoughts, feelings, and reactions were programmed. It was interesting to watch.
Hi Out of the Loop, what a fitting name. I channeled the TV money into travel because I realized that I kept saying I wanted to travel and I never went anywhere. On the other hand, I don’t ever recall saying that I have a burning desire to watch 28 hours of television a week!
June 5th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Hi Guessing, you’re close.
4. Absolutely and it’s fantastic. You should try
11. For 4 months after I gave up television, I burned through a book a week, sometimes more. I had no idea what to do with all that time. I was already getting a significant amount of computer time in. Since then I’ve discovered the other 42, well 37. The library is your friend.
13. You’re right on that. With so much to do, why take up another job, after all I did save two grand
15. No business either.
16. As of May 29th, I completed my 10th speech in the Toastmasters Competent Communicator manual. It’ll be official next Tuesday.
20. I walk 3 miles round trip to and from work. I can’t really say that I replaced my TV time with exercise, but I definitely exercise more.
June 6th, 2008 at 5:36 am
It’s called self control. Regulate your own time and stop blaming Television for making vegetables out of you.
June 7th, 2008 at 12:03 am
Carnival Of Tips - June 7, 2008…
Welcome to the June 7, 2008 edition of Carnival of Tips. We had over 60 great entries this week on:
Business & Career:
Mark Riffey presents The fine line between personal and business posted at Business is Personal.
Raymond presents Work From H…
June 9th, 2008 at 11:11 am
Hi Nneka,
I was on vacation recently in Santa Fe. We were staying in a vacation condo rental. There was a mixup and direct TV had been cancelled. We spent the better part of the week without TV. I thought it was nice. Some of my family really missed it. I do not feel the need to give up TV or cable at this time, but it is nice to take a break once in a while. Your list is great!
June 9th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
My TV broke in 1978 and I haven’t watched it (except while in the hospital and a few things on dvd) since then.
June 10th, 2008 at 8:33 am
[...] Balanced Life Center presents 43 Things To Do When You Stop Watching Television. No more excuses for not cutting your cable TV! [...]
June 10th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
What a great list! Mind boggling about the $$$ saved!
June 11th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
One of the first things that was suggested in my business kit was to go on a 90 day media fast and make a list of 100 things I want to do before I die. Best advice to do. We don’t realize the lowering of energy or increases in stress that come from that tube. It is called the ultimate “Money Reducer”. So true. If you’re keyed into your vibration, you’ll really notice it. You can deliberately create your entire life by choosing what enters your bubble. Thanks for your blog
June 11th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
[...] Balanced Life Center on 43 Things To Do When You Stop Watching Television [...]
June 11th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
Hi Squidink, thanks for leaving the comment. No blame necessary. Television is great in hotel rooms, just not in my living room.
Hi Kirsten, missed you much
The whole no TV thing happened gradually. I was never big on news. Then I got down to 2-3 shows that were in re-runs. Then I was upset with my ex for spending so much time in front of the tube. So I decided to give it a go without one. I’ve found it unnecessary. Now the Internet…
Isn’t it Mary! $140/month on cable plus the cost of cheap television, and I do mean cheap, plus electricity. It adds up fast.
Judith, I tried the media fast while I was doing the Artist’s Way. It only lasted a day. I had to send emails. When I go on vacation I totally unplug. It’s amazing the mental space that crops up when I’m not bombarded by messages.
June 12th, 2008 at 10:25 am
I did this for three years till the fella came along and wanted to watch hockey…..it was great for dating…let me tell ya!
A lttle off topic here but…..we will be forced to get digital t.v by next year.Is this fair? Not!
June 12th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
TV is a form of an addiction. It is as harmful as other substance abuses that take toll on our society. I enjoyed your article. Needless to say, I’ve stumbled and subscribed to your blog.
Shilpan
June 12th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
I gave my television away 30 years ago. It’s tough doing without Starsky & Hutch (the show, not the movie), but one must make sacrifices.
There’s *still* nothing good on.
June 13th, 2008 at 11:56 am
TV? What’s a TV?
Okay, I have one, an old big screen in fact, but it is reserved for watching movies. And once a month at that. Who needs TV when you can waste INCREDIBLE amounts of time with Internet?
Now, how to swap Internet time for #4, #7, and #20 above.
Nice list. Thanks!
June 13th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Great suggestions! A couple of months ago we cancelled our satellite service. Never watched the TV much anyway, but always really hated the commercials. Aside from the financial savings, it’s really just left us with more space in our lives. We also know that if there is a show we really want to watch, we can watch it online commercial-free!
June 18th, 2008 at 7:02 am
[...] Finally, Nneka gives us a list of 43 Things to Do When You Stop Watching Television. I like #38: “Go for aimless walks.” If you enjoyed this, I’d appreciate it if you shared it: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages. [...]
June 19th, 2008 at 3:20 am
I have a tv and I like it. It isn’t on all the time and I still find plenty of time to live my life. I’m with my children all day. I study and work in the evenings. I am happy with my life and tv is a part of it. While I like the list of ideas of new ways to spend your free time, I think the only real benefit in living without it is to save money. Everything else is down to you. If you choose to spend your free time resting your brain in front of the tv, then I feel you should. Any responsible human knows when it is time for it to go off and to do something else.
June 19th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Down with TV!!!!
June 22nd, 2008 at 11:55 am
these were great. i often tell people to turn off the darn tv and they tell me to turn off the computer. lol.
i love walking around the neighborhood after dinner or at lunch time. it clears my head. sometimes i take a book and just sit and read on a bench around town.
June 23rd, 2008 at 8:50 am
[...] If you’re new here, check out the Best of Balanced Life Center and be sure to subscribe to receive the latest updates via email or RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!Recently, I reported that I gained 28 hours a week by giving up television. It’s really easy to fill that time up with other meaningless activity. What really helped my time management was a complete paradigm shift. First I had to free up the time, but then I resisted busy-ness, prioritized my desires, cleared my mind, and integrated my life. Combined, I was able to create a full, rich life. [...]
June 24th, 2008 at 10:42 am
yup ! haven’t watched tv for about 7 years and it’s great !
June 30th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
sigh. When I live without TV, I watch all my shows on the internet. Damn network and their free streaming now
And when I miss something on Tivo, I find it on YouTube.
But yes, life might better without the slave driver…
July 1st, 2008 at 3:27 am
[...] Life Center presents 43 Things To Do When You Stop Watching Television posted at Balanced Life Center, saying, “Save money, get more time, have more energy when you [...]
July 1st, 2008 at 2:03 pm
I am in college, when I got rid of my TV, my GPA went up from a 2.6 to a 3.7
July 13th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
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July 25th, 2008 at 9:58 am
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