One Week With No TV
Start writing a post

I Went A Week Without Watching TV And I Learned The Importance Of Time

You never realize how much more time you have in your day until you stop spending it in front of a screen.

44
I Went A Week Without Watching TV And I Learned The Importance Of Time
https://unsplash.com/photos/nF8xhLMmg0c

Sitting in church a few weeks ago, I sat and listened to my pastor's sermon on technology. Going into the sermon, I expected a lecture about how technology is bad and we need to get rid of technology. But as I sat and listen to him speak about the importance of technology, my ears perked up.

He went on talking about how technology is amazing because we have so much information at our fingertips and that technology has provided new ways of communicating and interaction that we have never seen before. Despite his talking points on how technology can be good, he mentioned that the downside of technology is that we can lose a sense of self and lose a chance for good, meaningful life experiences and interactions.

I left the church that day just thinking to myself, I have a solid social life, technology isn't impairing it in any way, I don't need to take a break from anything. But the idea of taking a break was knocking at the back of my mind and I just ignored it. After some other life stuff had happened, I finally decided to listen to the nagging voice in my head and I gave in.

After reflection, I decided to go one week without watching any tv-shows or movies. No Netflix. No Hulu. No pop'n in a movie. No going to the movies. For one week. Should be easy, right?

The first day was weird. I got back from class and my usual routine is to crawl into my bed and watch an episode, or five, or whatever show I needed to catch up on. I walked into my room and did not know what to do - my routine was off! I sat and worked on my planner for the week and took at a look at what areas in my day so I sit in front of a tv or laptop to watch something? I then started scheduling out that time to be filled with friends, to work a little bit more on homework, or to read my Bible.

When I planned my time to hang with friends, I realized how many personal relationships I was missing out on pouring into because my normal routine was occupied by excessive leisure time. I found myself actually being fulfilled when I scheduled out my time around those I usually do not get to see every single day.

When it came to school, I realized how much more productive I was when I could not tell myself, "oh, if you finish this one paragraph, you can treat yourself to this, this, and this show after." Not having that reward, and by reward, I mean distraction, of watching a movie or tv show actually made me work on my assignments more and put more effort and care into them. Not that I wasn't a successful student beforehand, but I realized how less stressed I was for exams, how less pressed for time I felt that I did not have and so on.

When it came to reading my Bible, I realized how much I have been missing out in spending time with the Lord. He is our peace, our shelter, our comforter, our protector, and I realized in this time how much I had been putting Him to the side. What are the things most college students need? Rest, comfort and encouragement. He provides all these things for us, yet in this time we often push Him to the side cause we are so caught up in being successful in classes, having a great social life, making sure we are not missing out on anything and sleeping.

But all of our successes, relationships, and life adventures come from Him. Without His grace and blessings, we would be nothing.

During this week of fasting, I realized time is important. How you spend your time actually matters. You cannot realize how much one thing takes up so much of your time until you tell yourself "no." Before this, I thought how I spent my time by allowing myself to rest, was actually impeding on a lot of areas in my life.

There is nothing wrong with watching tv or going to movies. There is something wrong when one thing takes up so much of your time, you are depriving yourself of more meaningful things in life. The Pearson's will still be there, Meredith Gray will still be a mess, Michael Scott will still be making that's what she said jokes, but life moments come and go and if you miss out on the important stuff, Jack Pearson, Meredith Gray, and Michael Scott are not there fulfill your life.

Where do you need to tell yourself "no"?

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

43687
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

27473
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

952347
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

148040
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments