As part of my endless and possibly futile quest to be a less pathetic version of myself, I’ve embarked on a campaign to stop watching TV and movies. For me it’s low hanging fruit - some people really love movies, but I honestly can’t remember the last time I watched something that I truly enjoyed. It’s just something to fill dead time when I’m too tired to think. It BOTHERS me that I’ve spent so many hours mindlessly watching shows that I didn’t even like. I feel like I’m wasting my life every time I watch TV.
I’ve tried reading and podcasts with limited success. They’re good to a point, but the type of content I like is usually either pretty heavy or requires some thought (philosophy, human rights, law, etc. are my areas of interest), and I’m increasingly having trouble with my attention span too.
I already cancelled Netflix a long time ago, but I just never found a good replacement for it. Usually I find myself doomscrolling or watching the same few movies I already own or playing chess on my phone. I decided when I started that I’d let myself finish watching the shows I already followed, but just wouldn’t expose myself to any new ones. Now one of the last two shows that I had been following has been cancelled (which is understandable, the last season was AWFUL) and the other won’t have a new season for a while because of the strike (go strikers), so I’d really like to make TV and movies a non-factor in my life.
So I’m looking for advice here. What other activities are less of a waste of valuable time but not mentally tasking? Has anyone had success improving their attention span? I’d love to become a bookworm but goddamn is it ever hard to keep my ass on a chair long enough to get through more than two chapters. I don’t even know why my attention span is so bad - I actually used to tear through book and had no issue concentrating until about 5-10 years ago.
Any ideas?
I’ve successfully replaced too much screen time with reading. To do so, I always have at least one “heavy” book (typically non-fiction) and one light book (typically fiction) that I’m reading at the same time, mixed with constant access to both (kindle with synchronized kindle apps) and a strong desire to change my habits. It takes time but is well worth the effort.
Your desire for change is the most important step, don’t belittle it. Many people never have that voice. Let it fuel you. Small changes will build into a big transformation if you foster them.
I think it is OK to “veg out” sometimes. Down time can be very good for you, you don’t always have to be “on” or productive.
I would warn against dropping whole categories of things like TV/movies because it throws the baby out with the bathwater. Plenty of great and worthwhile TV and movies and IMHO you do yourself a disservice by disallowing them.
Agree with this.
Decompressing is healthy and you need to find balance. Perhaps the content is the problem. TV/Film, while entertaining, is an art form. So raise your standards for content if you find what you are watching to be braindead.
For me, Discovery+ has great content which I share with my daughter and it leads to new ideas and hobbies for us that go beyond the TV.
Also, tuning out completely actually may be more alienating than you realize, and in social circles you may end up out of the loop.
Learn to play an instrument. Try a hobby; crafts, woodwork, painting. Learn a language. Join a local chess club. Volunteer for a local charity. Just keep trying stuff until you find something that is right for you.
The addiction is strong because the owl Mafia comes looking for you. They guilt trip you at first, and then comes the violence. Leaving is unacceptable.
It’s starts with the 18 motivations by lunch time. If it reaches dinner, Duo breaks down your door and puts a pistol to your head until you do your lesson.
Do the books have to be heavy? What about audio books?
I really enjoy reading but haven’t got much time for it, audio books have helped with that in the sense that I can still consume stories while doing other things.
I really enjoy going for long walks in the forest with my dog while listening to a good book. Few things beat that.
As for your concentration difficulties, that sounds like something you perhaps should investigate? Is it rooted in something lifestyle related, like stress? Or maybe it’s something you might need medical aid for? It sounds rather debilitating so it’s probably best not to ignore it.
Well I guess it depends how much free time you have each day. Books, meditation, exercise (or even just going for a walk), cooking your own meals, getting more sleep…those things fill a lot of time in the evenings if you’re working full time. If you have more time than that, consider volunteering at local organisations that need help. Or find new hobbies that don’t involve looking at a screen and involve spending time with other people.
