“I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.”
- Groucho Marx

It just hit me. I haven’t watched television in two weeks! I’m not on a television burning crusade and I didn’t declare a TV fast, but I haven’t seen a sit-com, reality show, sporting event, or a rerun in over two weeks. Here’s the thing that strikes me the most about this: I haven’t missed it. Is that because much of the programming is mind-numbing drivel? That may be a part of it, but there’s more to the story.

In these two and a half weeks, I have finished two books, began a new long-term personal project, got a decent amount of sleep, exercised two or three times a week, and spent time with Krista. It’s been great! What prompted this accidental TV fast?

One factor was that we moved our television into our second bedroom. The living room is no longer a misnomer. We use that room for LIVING now. If we want to watch a movie or a TV show, we go into the other room. Now when I’m sitting on the couch, instead of reaching for the remote, I grab a book or a magazine, or better yet, we may even have a conversation! Other times, I just sit there and breathe (lately I’m discovering how important breathing is).

I still enjoy movies and a select number of television shows, but this 18 day boob-tube break has reminded me that life is truly lived outside the perimeter of that 42 inch screen.