Yep. That’s right. We unplugged ‘em, packed up nicely in their slim boxes for a 90 day experiment…
How long can we go before we go nuts? no, that’s not the experiment. The experiment is – how much do we really need to watch TV? A ‘battery’ operated radio, with soft music is really all that’s needed if it’s ‘just noise’ in the room you need. . . How many of us, have the TV on for that very reason – just to have ‘noise’ in the room. How many people, really ‘can’t stand the silence’ or the ‘noise outside’ or even the ‘sound of nature’…. I personally {being the mom of five, might play a factor} but really, I like the sound of ‘life’…. in the background.
It really doesn’t matter where I’ve lived. Whether it be in the heart of a big city like North Vancouver, BC or when I lived far out in the country, in an RV park for the summer along the foothills of Mt Rainier, Washington. The sound of the birds has always been the ‘greatest background noise’ for me. I try to have a variety of bird feeders on my deck, even when we live in the smallest of places. I always get a few new friends at the feeders. This year I even have a hummingbird. The variety of songs we hear from morning to night. There’s a robin that stays close and the sparrows have decided to nest right outside the window just to tease my cats. They too add a song to the chorus when they see the birds.
And really, how much time do we waste – watching TV? I know, many people say it’s ‘how they relax’ after work or a bad day. But really is it a way of relaxing or just an excuse to sit down and fall asleep. {In a most uncomfortable position} To relax…. just what does that mean? To unwind. How is watching TV ‘unwinding’ all the time? I understand there are a few good shows out there worth watching. Once in a while it is relaxing to sit down and watch a show or a movie. But – really, have you ever stopped and thought about just how much ‘time’ is spent in front of the TV. …. My hubby’s pet peeve is – how can anybody sit down and watch a ‘repeat’ or ‘rewatch’ a movie, over and over again…. Seems like a double waste of time there doesn’t it?
Now finally, How much power does it use? Have you ever noticed the heat that comes off the front of your TV?
The factors of the experiment we’ll be monitoring:
- The noise effect – is everyone more ‘relaxed’ or ‘irritated’ without the TV
- The time effect – what is being done in the ‘time’ that was previously used to watch TV
- The power effect – will the power bill stay the ‘same’ or go ‘down’ without the TV…… {are we turning up the heat without the heat source on?}
Results so far….
You might find it interesting to know… There is Hubby and I, plus, two adults in their 20′s and my 15 yr old Granddaughter – all ‘living’ without TV at the moment…
♥ More time is being spent ‘reading books’ or ‘hanging out’ outside! Hubby and I are both more ‘relaxed’ and have actually been getting quite a bit more work done.
I’ll let you know how it’s going… I haven’t gotten a power bill yet, to start seeing any differences there. Considering it’s spring and warming up, the bill should be going down no matter what. But, really you’d think without the TV, I should see a ‘jump’ worth doing a cartwheel over!
Related articles
- Noise via TV (derdo.wordpress.com)
- Let’s feed the birds! (theyearofwonderfulweekends.wordpress.com)
- Nielsen: More people use tablets, smartphones while watching TV (tuaw.com)
I’d be really interested to see the results. The TV is on in my house constantly whether it be my little brother (11) watching kids shows or myself/my parents. I’m not sure how we’d cope as a family if we had no TV…it would certainly be interesting to try it out!
Your house sounds like ours …. I picked 90 days for the summer.. hoping that with the good weather, it wouldn’t be so noticed -as missing.
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I like the idea. I don’t turn TV much on, but husband loves watching it. Did everyone in your home agreeded to this experiement or did they just have to put up with it?
It was mutually agreed
) Don’t know if that will stand for 90 days….