How I’m cutting back — changes in my media consumption
Oct 18th, 2008 by spaceagesage
As I wrote in my last post, my recent media fast woke me up to some unpleasant realities. To recap: My preoccupation with TV and online activities showed that I was addicted to them, that I was self-medicating with busyness to excuse away not finishing two books, and that I was using the online escape into the office to avoid the tougher emotional realities of being a caregiver for my mom.
It took five days to stop craving the TV news, Sci Fi programs, and online conversations I was used to having. I realized I had been running away from some things in my life, and now was the time to change some things. Here are five of my recent decisions based on the media fast:
1) Lessen news input
I decided to cut back radically on TV news, instead catching headlines at the top of the hour one or twice a day and exploring anything online that is truly beneficial, meaningful, or educational. (Who is smearing who on the campaign trail does not apply, nor does hour-by-hour updates on the financial crisis.)
2) Cut the more gruesome TV shows
My husband noted on day four of my media fast that most of our TV viewing involves death. The Sarah Conner Chronicles, Heroes, and The Unit might be action-packed, but do I really need that much mayhem? Since when did the morgue become a television scene mainstay? And do I need the emotional and psychological thrills of The Mentalist or similar shows? I’ve opted to keep Chuck, Eureka, NCIS, and Sci Fi Fridays with my hubby, but much of the rest is cut from my viewing.
3) Reduce my reading and commenting at other blogs
I sooo enjoy reading posts and replies at a number of blogs and commenting. It is hard to give up those kinds of interaction. And yet, something has to change. I realized – hey, I don’t even talk to family as often as I interact online with folks I’ve never even met. I’m going to use a timer to limit myself to a daily amount (yet to be determined), and will go down a list of blogs in order. What doesn’t get visited today, I’ll get to tomorrow … or the next day. This way I will keep up with them, albeit intermittently.
4) Continue replying to comments
Because of #3 above, I realize I may have a few less comments coming my way here, but that’s OK, I plan to keep replying to everyone who does. I learned from an early writing mentor that it is a privilege to write for a public audience, and I honor that by trying to reply to all who take the time to read and comment on my posts.
5) Prioritize my financial thinking
The economy is not looking healthy these days, so selling intellectual property – like books, software programs, music — in online downloads is the way to go. I have an excellent e-book, which my fear of success and failure ( and busyness) has been stopping me from finishing. That is no longer the case! I’m moving forward. (Actually I will need help from my blog readers to finish one part. Look for that request in a post, soon, OK?) I don’t have much more to go to put the final touches on the book, so I’m diving back into the project with gusto.
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I’ve tackled other areas of change because of the media fast –– changes inside and out — and I will write about them this coming week. In a nutshell, I was allocating too much energy to the buzzing bees of urgency. As my husband said, “You were letting a million mosquitoes take a little here and a little there, but now you have decided to use all your energy in focusing down on the more meaningful things.”
Thanks to those who have supported me in all this with comments, encouragement, and just by being there!
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Good for you! I’ll keep watching for your posts. Thanks for sharing the adventure of life.
Hi Jean —
Thanks — I appreciate sharing it with you and vice versa!
Hi Lori: That sounds like a good plan. And you know, by setting a timer you just might surprise yourself and be able to read more blogs in less time. It’s Parkinson’s Law: work expands to fit the time allotted to it.
Good for you, in knowing what you want and making the necessary changes. Commenting on other blogs can be time consuming but I think it is a call that you have to make in how you would like to create the life balance for yourself. Definitely, all the best to you!!
Love and light,
Evelyn
Lori
Ever since I read about your fast I’ve been thinking about doing the same thing. I have been wondering where my weeks go, and maybe cutting out the outside stimulation will help me see. I think it’s a great idea to step back and decide how to use your time. I know I watch too many icky shows, but I always have been fascinated by death and forensics, so I’m not surprised. I do limit the hours I spend watching tv a week though because it can easily get out of control. Not because I’m the type to just have it on, but because as a story teller I’m fascinated by other stories – good and bad, I assess everything I see. But there has to be a limit so I get to write my own stories!
Looking forward to hearing more about the book.
Kelly
Hi Marelisa,
I had to laugh at your comment because it is so true “work expands to fit the time alloted…” Thanks for the reminder!
Hi Evelyn,
Thanks for the support. I was floating along a little too much, so a bit more focus on people and less on TV will make life a lot more sane.
Hi Kelly,
You and I are so much alike in this! I tend to stick with a plot line even if the story is bad just to see all the variables in the storytelling, too. I thought it was because my grandparents owned a movie theater when I was growing up. And yes, I think some lovers of storytelling do have to say, “OK. Now I start writing my own stuff.”
Lori!
I just found a wonderful “SlideShare” presentation through one of my twitter friends Liz Strauss called “25 Words that Connect Us.” You have a wonderful quote in this presentation. Here is the link for those who missed it: http://www.slideshare.net/LizStrauss/25-words-the-connect-us-presentation
I hope all is well. Our website blog combo is gaining more traffic and readership. Again thank you for your timely and wonderful book review. All the best!
dean and susan
http://innerarchitect.com
Hi Lori,
So cool to hear that you have an ambition to finish your e-book. Awesome!
A couple more suggestions that spring to mind: 1) However limited your capacity ought to be, it’s still a good practice to go find a new blog and comment (maybe 1 a day?) so that your site can continue to grow and you feel the freshness of a new visitor. 2) I personally like limiting based on quantity and not time limit — but there’s pro & con to that, obviously. Limiting by time, I feel rushed and start skimming posts, which is already a bad habit.
ari
Hi Dean,
Thanks for your kind words and for dropping by and touching base! Glad to hear things are going well, and that you got to view Liz’s slide show.
Hi Ari,
You’re right about new blogs. I’m still working on the time limit thing.