Log # 04
Almost 2 months ago, my TV broke and started working as a radio. I could hear if I cast from my phone, but couldn’t see anything. My research suggested it’s probably a case of backlight that died and can be fixed easily – by a professional. I was determined to take it for a repair so after nearly a month of it sitting on the console, I finally packed it in its box. The box is now under my desk as so far I didn’t come around to take it for a repair. Not having a TV in the house is a bit of an inconvenience of course, because now I’m dependent on my phone and iPad mostly. However, I have noticed so many positive changes that I’m considering not having a TV in the house for good.
When the TV was functional, my routine after work was to come home, switch it on, play one of the streaming services or YouTube and just become a part of the couch. Even though I would not be that tired and certainly had things to do around, I could simply be distracted by the TV and not do the chores that needed attention. Was I happy with this habit? Absolutely not. Did I try to change it? Not at all. But now I was in a situation where I need to transport this TV to a repair shop or go to a store and buy a new TV. Both options required me to go step outside so I decided to get to it when it becomes an absolute necessity.
Ever since my household became a TV-free space, somehow there are now more hours after work. I have started to be bored and then do stuff out of boredom rather than wasting away in front of a big screen. My old hobbies(?) or interests are coming back. I enjoy little things around more and sometimes even doing dishes doesn’t seem a very difficult task. Side note, out of all the kitchen related chores, doing dishes is what I hate the most. I can see now how distractions can turn us into zombies and eventually the only purpose that remains in life is to go to work every next morning. There is no 5-9 after our 9-5 because we choose to numb our brains. I am not suggesting we should all throw away our TVs and other devices, but we should limit ourselves with when and how much to consume. Creation should always be more than consumption.
I do miss a TV in the house though, and now to watch a series or a show – I go to my friend’s place. Just like old times when there used to be one TV in the muhallas(neighbourhood) and kids would gather in that house in the evenings. I haven’t experienced that personally, only heard stories about it. It is nice too in a way planning a trip to be at someone’s place so we can eat and watch TV. A mundane mindless activity that somehow feels a little exciting in a way. Two days ago we finished watching When Life Gives You Tangerine and sobbed together while watching. Before that it was And Just Like That. For now there is nothing on the To Watch list, but I will look for something. Perhaps the weekend of September 20th I will finally take my TV for a repair, it’s in my calendar now so we can consider it official. I do think now that our moms were right when they said it is this damn TV or damn phone. It always was these damn TVs and phones.