Life Without Television
Some things I've learned
I was strongly influenced by the minimalism movement which was being widely celebrated a few years ago. Making the move from materialistic accumulation to intentional living appealed to me greatly and I found much comfort in applying minimalist principles to my life.
One thing that really helped me was making an inventory of everything I owned. This was a helpful thing to do not only as a reminder of which belongings I have that I had maybe forgotten about, but also because of the comfort of knowing that if I unexpectedly needed to move home the inventory would help me to do so in a less stressful way.
I have come to understand that an important aspect of minimalism is treasuring what is precious to you and only allowing into your environment and awareness things that are nourishing and helpful. With this in mind, a few months ago I decided I would try the experiment of replacing my television with some plants.
The fast pace of stories on media channels can be a distraction from focusing on and cherishing the things in life that bring us true fulfillment and happiness. Without a television, I found I had much more quiet time when I could read or write or spend time in prayer. I didn’t really miss keeping up with the headlines and decided to trust that the Lord would make me aware of anything it was necessary for me to know about in His own way.
I have also become very cautious about the websites I visit and the apps I download as I have realised that with each new connection, agreement to services, or subscription comes added stress. I felt it would be wise to limit my use of technology in general to only what is absolutely necessary for my life and career and this has proven to be hugely beneficial.
Perhaps you are finding yourself feeling stressed and anxious at this time and haven’t felt sure why that is. May I suggest, just as an experiment, that you consider limiting your exposure to the media to only those occasions when it is absolutely necessary. This could mean replacing your television or switching off your smartphone for periods of time every day. Also, carve out some time to consider every item you own and whether you really need it. You may find these changes to be liberating and fulfilling.