Let’s talk about televisions. It’s been 7 years since we had cable TV. That’s right, 7 YEARS! Strangely enough, we still had a television in our living room up until 6 months ago, when we finally got rid of it for good. And let me tell you, this was the best decluttering decision we’ve ever made. We’ve gone so long without cable, I don’t even remember what life is like with it, so it was only a matter of time before we ditched our physical television too.

So why did we keep one for so long when nothing was hooked up to it? I think because that’s just what people do: They have TVs. It’s the focal point of the living room, right? I laugh to myself when I think how silly it was all these years to have our living room face a big, black meaningless box. We even UPGRADED our TV several years ago, thinking we’d stream Netflix. (Spoiler Alert: We didn’t).
7 years without cable television has its benefits. For one, we saved around $4000. But this isn’t just about money. It about getting back all the lost moments with one another – and making the most of the time we have together at home. I’ll be the first to admit just how exhausting it can be to work all day, then jump right into a marathon play session when our daughter is home from school. (I’m NOT a saint, we DO definitely have “TV time” when she gets to watch something on the iPad twice a week). But without the option of watching – via the absence of our TV – we dig into other activities more easily.
I spoke with a friend recently who doesn’t have children (unless you count her adorable fur-babies!), and she explained how the television is a nice way to break up a quiet/boring evening. She’s right. It’s entertaining, and by most standards, it’s a relatively inexpensive service. She didn’t struggle with the temptation to use it during the day. (That’s some A+ self-control!). So if you’re the type who isn’t tempted by turning on the tele, the decision to ditch it might seem a little extreme.
Reasons we decided to ditch our television:
If you’re on the fence, there’s SO much to be gained by going without TV. The biggest benefit being your ability to THINK. There’s a reason people say some of their best thinking happens while in the shower – and why there’s a very popular subreddit called ‘showerthoughts’. It’s because while in the shower, we literally have NOTHING but our minds to distract us. The running water is just loud enough to block out the sounds of your house. Now imagine having that precious ‘thinking time’ doubled, tripled, or quadrupled each day! It’s amazing where your mind will go when you just let it breathe.
Rediscover hobbies
Another great reason to let go of your television? You’ll rediscover your hobbies or other things you enjoy, but “didn’t have time for”. You might find yourself reading a book or stealing some glances at a magazine. Or the house will seem boring… perhaps too quiet – so you’ll pop outside and reignite your gardening, diy, or woodworking hobbies. Or you’ll realize that corner in your living room is PERFECT to start crafting again. Whatever your hobby is, you’ll find the energy to partake when TV isn’t an option.

Reconnect with family or roommates
There’s a BIG difference in the quality of interactions made with people while watching TV vs time spent doing other activities together. Take a walk together, have some tea, etc. You can even find fun in doing household chores together, just by removing the television (or turning it off).
Save money
One thing I hear all the time – and have struggled with myself for many years – is how hard it is to save money. As I mentioned earlier, we’ve saved about $4000 over the years JUST by cutting our cable bill. Yours could be higher depending on what channel packages you subscribe to. Even trying to cut it for a year could save you anywhere from $420 – $1500… in ONE YEAR!
Increase productivity
This one always seems like a no brainer to me because I’m such a busy body, but sometimes all we need is a little push (or pull) to start a task. And when there’s a distraction, be it a television, cell phone, video game, etc – it’s way too easy to procrastinate. Distractions are just too much fun! Remove the distraction, and your boredom will sort itself out in the form of productivity.
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So what do you think? Are you ready to cut back or ditch your television in favor of some of the fabulous benefits listed above? I’d love to hear why or why not! 😉
Click here to watch my video on the topic of decluttering your TV
11 comments
Hi Rachel! I think this is a really smart decision you made. The community I’m a part of doesn’t have TVs (for the most part) for religious reasons (a desire to insulate from the decadence on television) and there are definitely big differences in children who are raised with technology and kids who aren’t. They’re able to sit and do an activity for much longer, they’re able to read for longer, and they definitely have an innocence. A naivete, less of an edge.
I have more exposure than many because I watch Youtube but it’s still somewhat odd to be an adult in society and not understand most of the cultural references in that society. Odd, different, but surely there is enough to talk about in the world without knowing about the latest movie or TV show?
Anyway! I commend you for being able to ditch the TV, and I hope more people follow your lead!
Hi Leah! I’m curious, how does your family or the community feel about you watching YouTube? Is it regulated? Or is that a more accepted form of entertainment? (just curious!) I can imagine there would be a lot more creativity among the youth, in addition to better attention spans as you mentioned! And I agree, there is plenty to talk about aside from pop culture references! 🙂
Love it! I would love to ditch ours. We have ipads and smart phones so we could still have our youtube, Netflix, watch the news, but having all that space in the living room and as you said, a black box being the focal point in the living room… that’s enough for me to get rid of it. I don’t even enjoy watching TV; however it’s one of my hubby’s fave things to do…
That can be tough if your spouse doesn’t share the same feelings! 🙂 Who knows, maybe he’ll find the fun in ipads and smart phones with you… it makes for some good snuggles! 😉
I never got rid of my TV, but I did just slowly stop watching it over the course of a year. I now turn it on for an hour or two out of the week intentionally to watch a show with my husband. It’s a small (32″). Now In our house, the only person who likes to watch TV regularly now is the parrot :). I’ve noticed I’ve been more attentive, I have more time to relax in the evenings and I have time for hobbies as well.
Visitors often remark that it needs to be replaced with a bigger model. Since all I really do with it is listen to music and watch a show here and there, I don’t see why I should! I like that art is the jewel of our living room, not the TV.
I’ve started to explore embracing minimalism in the focus of my attention – I left all my facebook groups, and I only listen to one podcast, but even that is starting to get boring. I notice my mind kind of going through “distraction withdrawal”, and I’m wondering how long it lasts. I’m like someone on a diet who keeps opening up the fridge, staring, and closing it, haha.
Hey Susan – too funny about the comparison of your withdrawals! I understand! A while back I deleted some apps off my phone and I found myself picking up my phone to check for notifications throughout the day! Funny how we can train our brains to almost need those distractions. Hopefully yours fades soon 🙂 Take care!
I love to see people who ditch their TVs!
I have wanted to do this for… Years now…. TVs turned on all day or as background noise, drive me nuts. But my husband is a techie and he seems to always have something on. I hate it because even when I’m trying so hard not to watch, I often get distracted by it.
I have young kids now, so even when my husband isn’t home, it’s on more and more with kid shows. But I’ve noticed even my kids get sick of tv and wander away. Daily.
I’ve been contemplating how to rearrange my house so that the tv isn’t the most convenient activity. Putting toys, puzzles, books and games in the living room. Maybe even my sewing machine or my paper filing projects that are taking me forever… and putting TVs downstairs. Making the couch face the window instead of the TV. I’ve noticed that because the couch faces the TV, I just sit down and turn it on. But if the couch faced the window, maybe I’d enjoy the weather more. It’s amazing how the subtilities of room design have a huge impact on how people spend their time.
I’m like you, if there is a TV on, I’m so much more likely to just start watching (like at someone’s house, or even at a restaurant!). I love your idea about just changing the position of your sofa to face the window! I would imagine that would help curb the habit of turning it on… especially if you have something interesting to look at out there? Bird feeder?? 😉
We rarely watch TV because it is never on when the toddler is awake. That to us is just common sense but I appreciate that other families have other habits, especially when there are older children, too, who do not yet watch TV/Netflix/internet on their own.
Our TV is wall-mounted and relatively small ( acccording to others, I still find it huge 😉) so it is okay space-wise. Plus, the DVD player is stored in a cupboard and the DVDs live on a bookshelf, so there is no additional TV furniture taking up space.
I guess we watch TV two to three hours a week, including when we use it as a screen to watch a family movie on DVD (without the toddler, but that‘s just us). But I can’t tell when it was on previously, probably two to three weeks ago.
I find that switched on tellies stress me out, not immediately, but the constant noise gets to me. Same goes for radio and music in general, but there I can more happily find a compromise with the rest of the herd.
Have you ever considered ditching Netflix/YouTube or at least reducing your consumption? I’m curious because that is a big topic for me. I probably consume those for about two hours per day. So of course it is no biggie for me not to watch TV. I agree that Netflix and the like are less stressful but it‘s still noise that my mind has to process, instead of processing other thoughts that also want to be dealt with. How that makes sense to you. What are your thoughts? 🙂
PS: Your YouTube channel is great and your Blog is amazing, great job!! I love your take on things, both literally and figuratively.
Additional comment to unappreciate my phone’s auto correction: It should read Hope that makes sense to you, not How…
— although that in itself is also an interesting question, so maybe the autocorrection is not only about Dadaism. 🤣
We ditched the tv 10 y ago, but still use on as a computer screen. No channels, Netflix, nada. We do have limited screen-time for our kids, and rules for screen-time. Mostly, the kids wish for playtime with us or we let them interact in daily courses like cooking, baking, laundry, gardening, cleaning, washing the car etc. They play with eachother and friends. They are 2,5 and 6y.
My husband have always love watching movies and listen to music so for him nice electronics to support that interest is essential, and I support that. Myself? I get along with just a laptop and headphones.
We consume more familytime than screentime (it can be turned of for days).
I have a ”one hour outdoor play per day” -rule aswell, which definetly reduces screentime even on rainy/cold/ snowy days.