Life Without a TV

First, I'm not going to lie, I just can't afford to have a TV at this moment. Sure, there are cool shows out there now and I just feel dumber not being updated with anything. If someone asks me about a show, I know I've heard it but I'm just not following anything. Worse, I feel left out, so I would rather socialize with people who don't talk about TV shows. Anyway, in case I want to watch anything, there's always the internet.

Since I've emancipated myself and started living on my own, I've never had my own TV. I just prefer to read a book then sleep after coming home from work. That was years ago, and the only time I got to watch TV again was when I was traveling. When I'm in a hotel or in someone else's house, as it can be quite interesting to see other channels and local soap operas in other countries. It is also a language practice for me. But then, I'm not used to it anymore, like I can't see myself staying in front of the TV for a long time. I know it can be quite weird for others, but once you get used to it, it is a liberating experience.

Here's the first benefit of not having a TV, it saved me a fair amount of money. How do you think I would be able to travel anyway, I did it by minimizing my expenses and having less stuff in my life. Because less is more. I was able to spend money on what is more important to me, like life experience. Cable fee, subscription to 500+ channels and other bills would cost me a lot, so I decided to save money to purchase plane tickets instead. Since we have crappy local channels here, same old stories, mediocre programs with lots of commercials and such, I feel like it is not worth my time having a TV at all. And the most important thing, TV doesn't get to feed my brain with what I need in life. I know I'm not easily tame like that, and I know exactly what I need and what I want these days without having to depend on TV advertisements.

Call me a boring, old lady but nobody argues with me anymore. I like not having a TV too. I will feel guilty just spending my time watching TV anyway, instead of working on the things that are more important to me, like my project. If I need to unwind, I will really unwind. Like go to the beach, watch the sunset, walk, swim and other outdoor activities. When I'm at home, I prefer to read a book or sleep. Because I like to sleep like my cat.

I like to watch movies though, but I have the internet for that. But still, I try not to watch movies all day, I have to embrace self-discipline in order to work on my life goals and anti-goals (not-to-do). I just don't let TV control my life.

After traveling for a while, I feel like I have just isolated myself in order to focus on important things. So not having a TV gave me a reason not to further succumb to isolation. Here on the island, I don't really need a TV, I would always be outside anyway. I prefer to spend my money on scuba diving and other adventure activities that would be more helpful for my startup project.

Forget about being a couch potato, I don't get to eat in front of the TV either. Aside from having a financial diet at the moment, fancy food and eating a lot don't really appeal to me when I am living alone. Without TV and easy access to bad food, I get to take care my body and force myself to burn more calories.

Not having a TV means I'm listening to music and thinking more. Thinking more means I am reflecting on my life more, and having these unlimited ideas to write about. So I get to write and be more productive without any kind of distraction and other temptation.

Some people would think that life without TV is absolutely boring, but I respect them. It is a personal lifestyle choice and I don't need to be understood by everyone. I've met some people who don't have TVs and they survive. It's nice to have some real conversation too, not letting your friends sit on the sofa and stare at the screen all night. Go get some bottles of beer, drink, and talk. Turn off the TV.

Instead of being ashamed that I can't answer the Did you see...? question, I would proudly announce that I don't have a TV. I don't preach all this consumerism and brainwashing stuff to people around here as they would find that even more weird. They don't even want to understand despite my attempts to explain. I just simply say - I can't afford a TV. I am jobless can't you see?

I'm part of a culture where people are raised in front of the television, I guess it is the same everywhere else huh? So it clearly reflects on what people choose to eat, what they wear and what they buy. People are just following the heavily advertised consumerist lifestyle. Don't be left out, follow the trend kind of life. It is easier to conform and it hurts to be different. It is more convenient not to think for yourself these days.

Nobody really tells me to turn off that TV! anymore, I'll do my own homework. And I don't have a TV to dictate who I want to be and what I should do in my life.