This post is about something that we decided to do and did a couple of months ago. Much to my dismay at the time, we decided to cancel all cable and DVR services. We only had it for two years, but I was totally addicted.
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| This is not our TV but we do have Rabbit Ears. They're lovely. via |
The first letter that the company wrote asking us to come back with a special offer I really wanted to cave. The internet only plan that we replaced it with is crap and it's been hard to take a step back. But I stood firm and knew that we decided to do this for reasons bigger than money.
TV was becoming too big a part of our lives. We weren't talking to each other enough and sitting on the couch wasn't getting anything else done either. The queue of TV shows became like more clutter that I had to clear. It sounds weird but if it was recorded I felt like I needed to watch it.
We are giving it a year of rest from the cable. G really misses having Monday night football but I say it's just an opportunity to go visit some friends' houses. We can have little parties every Monday night. Even I can watch football if there are snacks and occasional girl talk thrown in. Also, in the month of October, for breast cancer awareness, the players are wearing lots of pink which I was pleasantly surprised to see.
I can tell you that my life has changed for the better. I am not held hostage by tv. Who knows if I would have even done this challenge if I had better things to do, like watch reruns of Rachel Zoe Project. I don't need to be in front of the TV where "all the action is". I watch my shows when I want to and then it's over. There is no flipping to find something else. I use Hulu and they email me when something is updated into my favorite shows.
Does this mean I am against cable? No way! We may get it again next year, but I am against tv taking too much time out of my life. I don't want it to be my only option for entertainment. I want to get out, go to the movies, go for a bike ride or something that is going to make a memory. I don't have any good memories from watching TV. Do you?
What about you all? Are you on the fence for canceling cable? Are you convinced it will never happen because it's a necessity? What are your favorite shows and you are loving Pan-Am as much as I am? Do you have to endure football too? Oy.
P.S. You want to know what my fave shows are, don't you? I am so over the top girly when it comes to my selection but I will happily share, or overshare if you will.
Young and the Restless
Gossip Girl
Pan Am-Newest FAVORITE
Mad Men-Not on right now
Rachel Zoe Project
Desperate Housewives
The Office
6 comments:
If it's any consolation, RZP is not that good this season. They rarely focus on clothes anymore and it's constantly about her being over-extended. I decided to stop watching reality tv altogether and no longer watch RZP as a result.
I am enjoying your project (I did a similar one last November--it can be a lot of work). My husband and I canceled cable (we had basic) a couple of months ago--but for the opposite reason...we weren't watching anything. If we watch TV we are usually popping in a DVD whether movie or series. I enjoy watching: The Closer, Monk, Seinfeld, Frasier, Gilmore Girls and Mad Men (just started this one) but all of them are watched online or through DVDs. I think you may find you won't miss the cable too much (although we did miss watching some of the tennis opens this year). xxBliss
We cut the cable two years ago and haven't looked back. Now I will say what we have is some weird $10 cable package which consists of the three normal networks plus about a bazillion home shopping and/or religious stations. By paying that $10 a month, we save $15 a month on our internet.
Internet is far more important to us both so this was the best possible solution for us. Right now we're watching back episodes of Criminal Minds (Netflix, DVD not streaming) plus an occasional episode of Person of Interest on Hulu.
Stephanie-I just watched to first one this week. I was curious to see her pregnant. I don't think she appreciates that she was able to get pregnant fast and that kind of makes me mad at her!
Bliss-Thanks for your comment. I'll go check out your series from last year. I'm going to need some encouragement to get me through 31 days!
It's empowering to make the "tv decisions" that suit you best instead of just going with the flow. Good for you!
-Jennifer
Kitties-Thanks for visiting! It's so weird how you can get more to pay less.
Internet is essential since that is how I'm watching my shows!
-Jennifer
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