We’ve decided to watch less TV. This is a sad decision for me because I love to check out on the couch and watch a good show. It’s part of our routine and I find some comfort in the familiar.
However, I don’t like the results of so much TV. Intense shows give me nightmares and several hours can disappear if I get wrapped into a new season. I’m not getting any healthier and I’m definitely not being more productive. Sometimes I even get grumpy when I’m interrupted watching a show (sorry kids…)
This is not an attack on TV nor is it a declaration to never watch again. It’s more a reassessing of my priorities and taking a good, hard look at some habits. Kevin and I were noticing that TV was becoming an immediate response and a mindless time filler. “Good night kids” … “what show are we watching??” became a nightly pattern. Which IS FINE and there are absolutely seasons in my life where this was my plan and it was what I needed. It’s just not serving me in this season, so I need to make a change.
But I really like TV. And declaring I “won’t watch TV” is not enough for me to keep it off. I need to replace that time with something I want to do instead. Which brings me to my big news of the week—I rented a cello! I know. CRAZY. I played the cello in Jr. High and I’ve always loved the sound it makes. Over the past few months it kept coming up and Kevin would occasionally ask if I missed playing and if I would ever play again. I usually said yes I missed it but wasn’t in a place to pick it up again. And then this week, I decided I would just try it. So at night I practice the cello instead of TV. I can only do about 20 minutes at a time right now because it’s all hard and awkward, but I really like the challenge of something new.
I don’t know where this hobby is headed. Right now, I’m renting the cello for on a month to month lease so I suppose I’ll play for at least a month. I’ll have to check back in on occasion to let you know what’s become of my musical habit. And I’ll probably share from time to time on my Instagram stories—once things are a bit smoother and less scratchy!!
What would you do with a little extra time in your day?