The remarkable thing about television is that it permits several million people to laugh at the same joke and still feel lonely. -T.S. Eliot
Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers. -Charles W. Eliot
I really didn't like TV-Turnoff Week except I did notice that my grades went up and I was in a good mood all week. -Drew Henderson, 2nd grade
It is that time of year again, folks--TV Turnoff week is next week April 21-27, and I challenge all of us to turn off the boob tube and find some other way to occupy our minds. I'm telling you--if you are used to watching TV every day, then this will be a healthy challenge for ya!
A few years ago I participated in my first TV Turnoff week, and found it so much harder than I was expecting. Apparently I was much more dependent on TV than I thought! But I knew that I was adding value to my life by spending less time watching TV, and I came up with a way to completely ween myself off TV for an entire year!
Here are some resources that will help you take on this challenge and ween yourself off of TV:
The saga of how I gave up TV for an entire year
10 ways to cope with going TV free
How To Get Started Reading More Books & What To Read When You Do
Everyone, let's get ready for next week. Is anyone else gonna do this? I'm telling you it may change your life--it changed mine!
It might be interesting to create a "TV Turnoff Week" event on Facebook, or other social networking site, and see how many people plan to hit the off switch with you. Not only may it help people to find something more intellectually stimulating to fill their time, but I wonder what kind of environmentally friendly effect it will have, if any.
Posted by: Corey | April 14, 2008 at 10:26 PM
Corey,
You are a genius! I'm gonna create that "TV Turn Off Week" event right now.
And you're right--there would be an environmental benefit to using less electricity. Maybe we should not only not watch TV, but totally unplug all the TV electronics (I heard that 40% of the electricity is taken up by turned off but plugged in devices).
Thanks so much for your excellent suggestions!
Posted by: Sharon Sarmiento | April 15, 2008 at 07:56 AM
You mean it is already a whole year since I turned off my TV?
Actually, I went without TV for a couple of years. I only had a small black and white TV (remember those anyone?) and could not afford/did not want something better. In the end, I just did not use it. And I think I was massively more creative with my time as a result. Hmmm ...
Posted by: Gavin Heaton | April 15, 2008 at 04:59 PM
Hey Gavin,
I KNOW--I can't believe it's been a year already!
That is amazing that you went TV-free for 2 years! I can totally believe that your creativity with your time went up. It's been a while since I went TV free for months at a time, but I remember that boost in time creativity too! Maybe I should do another TV Turnoff Year.... (or get a tiny black and white TV so it's not so tempting :-) )
Posted by: Sharon Sarmiento | April 16, 2008 at 06:27 AM