Why Our Family is Committing to a 30-Day TV Fast
a TV sitting outside the stoop of a doorway.
Why a T.V. Fast?
While I wouldn't say we are addicted, it's become clear that our family has fallen into the habit of watching a lot of television. For my kids, it's become their go-to activity from the moment they wake up, after school, and just before bedtime. I can already hear my oldest saying, "How about a little bit of TV before bed? (nodding) That's a good idea!" We have fallen prey to how convenient it is. A simple push of a button, and the chaos of the moment subsides as they become absorbed in the world of the screen. It's almost magical – a quick fix for peace and quiet. However, lately, it feels like we've needed that "quick fix" more frequently than not. What started as a minute of respite has grown into an evening, a week, a month – an unintentional pattern I’m now full acknowledging as a bad habit.
And let’s be honest, it's not just limited to the kids. Once they're in bed, our default involves raiding the pantry for something sugary and tuning in to "Friends" for some mindless TV watching – if we even watch it. On many nights, you'd find my wife and me situated on opposite ends of the living room, the soft glow of blue light casting a faint hue on our faces as we burn away the day’s final hours on Facebook or Candy Crush. On some level, we've understood that this isn't the best, but finding the energy to give credence to that understanding has been a challenge. Too often exhaustion prevails, and the easiest route – turning on the TV – becomes the chosen way to unwind. After all, it's effortless, requiring minimal energy and thought.
As my youngest approaches his first birthday, I'm reminded of one of his early favorite pastimes: lying on his back and gazing at the slowly rotating ceiling fan. He's captivated by the movement – that is, as long as the fan blades spin at a pace that allows him to distinguish each one. When they speed up, they blur into a whirl, almost disappearing entirely against the ceiling. Only the gentle hum and the movement of air give them away. One day, while observing him entranced by the fan, a powerful realization struck me: our days are much like those spinning blades. Identical, fleeting, and often indistinguishable from one another. Caught in the momentum of life's hustle, I struggle to truly see them. Without intervention, our days will meld together, forming a continuous and monotonous blur. I fear one day I’ll look back and only recall a collage of TV scenes, Facebook feeds, and Candy Crush games – occasionally punctuated by moments of clarity, like blades I briefly manage to distinguish from the blur before they merge once more.
“I fear one day I’ll look back and only recall a collage of TV scenes, Facebook feeds, and Candy Crush games – occasionally punctuated by moments of clarity”
This isn't the life I hope for my family. I imagine a richer childhood for my children, of days filled with meaning and purpose, and laughter birthed from real conversation and tickles rather than a silly cartoon character. And that's precisely why we've committed to a 30-day screen fast. In acknowledging the grip screens have on our lives, we're taking a significant step toward reclaiming our time, our connections, and our ability to live each day with intention.
Effects of Excessive TV Watching on My Family
Don’t get me wrong, I'm not here to vilify TV or screens in general. I find enjoyment in watching movies, shows, documentaries, and informative videos. However, it's become apparent that the way my family has recently engaged with screens lacks a clear sense of purpose. For us, turning on the TV has become an automatic response, a default activity that requires little more than finding the remote (which can be and activity in itself). This convenience, while tempting, stands in stark contrast to the intentional and meaningful living we're striving for through this blog. We're looking to make the most of every moment we have with our loved ones, and that means reassessing our relationship with screens. So, what are the potential effects of excessive TV watching on my family?
Sedentary Lifestyle: One of the most noticeable effects of excessive TV watching is its contribution to a sedentary lifestyle. It's all too easy to sink into the couch for hours, lost in the world of entertainment. My kids are so active and full of energy and giggles, but when the TV comes on they flop down, faces going blank, and turn into mindless zombies. This habit can lead to weight gain and other health concerns due to the lack of physical activity. Our family's well-being is a priority, and recognizing the role screens play in keeping us stationary is worth our attention.
Impact on Mental Health: While screens offer entertainment, they can also impact our mental well-being. The line between relaxation and escapism can blur, and prolonged screen time might lead to decreased productivity, motivation, and even feelings of anxiety. From personal experience, I can clearly distinguish the feelings that come from a day of binge watching and a day of being active (physically, mentally, or socially). The latter lends to feeling good while the former tends to leave me feeling ‘blah’ (to use some clinical terms). Being mindful of how screens affect our mental state can help us make better choices with our use of screens.
Less Meaningful Interaction: Excessive TV watching can inadvertently create a barrier between us and those we care about. Instead of engaging in meaningful conversations or shared activities, we find ourselves immersed in screens. This can lead to less quality time spent with family members, weakening our connections and the bonds we hold dear. We should never fool ourselves into believing that just because we are sitting next to each, we are actually spending time together.
“We should never fool ourselves into believing that just because we are sitting next to each, we are actually spending time together.”
Influence on Worldview and Perception: Screens have a remarkable influence on our perceptions of the world. The content we consume shapes our opinions, beliefs, and attitudes. However, excessive consumption of certain types of content can lead to skewed perspectives and even desensitization to real-world issues. We don’t let our kids watch just anything. We want it to be appropriate and even educational. But my hope is they are learning more about the themselves and the world from interactions with me rather than what they pick up on TV. It's important to be aware of how the media we consume impacts our view of the world.
Lessened Attention Span and Cognitive Impact: The rapid pace of TV shows and online content can affect our attention spans. Excessive screen time might contribute to a reduced ability to focus deeply on tasks and information. This can impact our overall cognitive development, particularly concerning sustained concentration. Kids already have shortened attention spans, but a skill set that will serve them well is the ability to dive into deep and meaningful work, focusing on a problem or task for long periods of time. The nature of screens today works against the honing of this skill.
How We Plan to Do This (and Our Rules for the Challenge)
Embarking on a 30-day fast from screens is a commitment we've taken seriously. We recognize the need for a structured approach to ensure our success in this challenge. To that end, we've laid down a few rules that will help our journey.
No TV Time: The most straightforward rule is that we won't be turning on the television during these 30 days. This means no TV shows, no movies, and no binge-watching sessions. Instead, we're excited to explore alternative ways to spend our time that align with our goals.
Screen-Free Family Time: When we're spending time together as a family, the focus will be on each other and doing activities that align with our values. This means no checking social media, phone games, reading random articles, checking accounts or anything that pulls us away from meaningful interactions. We want to be present and fully engaged in the moment, investing in the bonds that matter most to us, and making memories that will stand out for a lifetime.
Replacing Screen Time with Purposeful Activities: Part of our preparation involved thinking about how to fill the void left by TV and screens. We've brainstormed a list of set activities that we can engage in, ranging from craft nights to outdoor adventures. However, we're also leaving room for spontaneity. We're curious to see what activities we'll gravitate toward when the easy screen fix is no longer an option.
So that’s why and how our family is doing this. I’m nervous that it will end up being harder than I think, but I am excited to see how it goes and what we learn along the way. I imagine there will be some growing pains in this process, but I believe it will be worth it. Ok. Here we go.