Tips on Learning to Live Without TV

Watching TV is probably one of the most prevalent American passtimes today, and has been for quite some time. In an age where not having a TV is akin to not being alive, I have gone without even local network channels for more than two years now. I do still have a TV, but due to peculiarities of location, I cannot get any channels on my TV without the use of an antenna. I don't want to shell out the money for cable, either. But most importantly, I don't want to waste all of the time that I could be using to do things other than watching TV.

Learning to live without TV is a gradual process. Four years ago, I lived in a house with a satellite dish, and could watch a wide variety of channels. When I moved from there into a small apartment, we had "rabbit ears" so that we could pick up the local channels. Again, due to the peculiarities of location, this usually involved wrapping the "ears" in aluminum foil and readjusting them whenever we wanted to change the channel. Finally, two years ago, when my roommate took the "rabbit ears" with him, I simply accepted the fact that I couldn't watch TV at home anymore. For a while, I would go to a friends' house to watch one or two shows a week, but eventually even that lost its appeal, and I discovered that my life was just fine without TV.

For some, learning to live without TV will be more difficult than others. Quitting "cold turkey" may not necessarily be the best way to go, and you may need to slowly reduce how many shows you watch in a day, then in a week, and then in a month. It is also easier to reduce your TV watching towards the end of the TV season, right before your favorite show goes into reruns. Luckily, there are other options of ways to keep yourself entertained.

Without TV, you still have the option of watching VHS tapes or DVDs. The best part about watching VHS and DVDs is that you can watch them on your schedule. I know that TIVO and comparable products allow you to record your favorite shows and watch them on your own schedule, but even this doesn't completely end your dependence upon TV. You will still want to sit down and watch the TV shows that you've recorded, so that you can keep up with what is going on. By limiting myself to VHS and DVDs, I have the option to go for an entire week, or even longer, without using my TV for any purpose at all, as I can watch them whenever I want to watch something.

Outside of TV related viewing, there are a wide array of options of entertainment. Take up a new hobby that you always wanted to do, but never had the time. When you aren't watching TV, you suddenly realize just how much free time you actually have, and how much time you were wasting previously. Get out and see the sights that your area has to offer. In nice weather, you can walk or ride a bike; in cold weather, check out indoor activities like museums. Take the money that you would have used to pay your cable bill, and buy something you've always wanted. The options are nearly endless after learning to live without TV.