Post-Election Retirement: Stepping Away from the Television

Wow, I kind of feel like I'm retiring all over again.  I didn't realize how much of a time suck this whole presidential race was.  I almost don't know what to do with myself.  There are other things in life, right?

Last night, I reached the cable-news-show saturation point at precisely 6:30 pm.  I actually returned to my old habit of yesteryear, watching "Friends" reruns.  How nice to laugh at the TV instead of shout at it!  And then, when that was over, I STEPPED AWAY FROM THE TELEVISION.  Completely.  

I read a book, fiction, purely for pleasure.

I now enter a new phase of retirement, post-election retirement.  This is a new phenomenon for me.  This campaign was a long one, even pre-dating my March retirement.

I was thinking I might get a breather from the "news" until Inauguration Day, but today I read that we're already concerned with the wardrobe of our soon-to-be First Lady.  I just can't catch a break, can I?

Comments

[Stacey]

Not having cable has been a blessing during this election! When we want entertainment, we rent a movie - and then turn the television off when were done.

Good for you for stepping away. :) I dont think people realize how attached they are to television. Best of luck finding new, stimulating activities to fill your retirement - I love reading for pleasure!

[Steve]

Im right there with you - my mind is clearing up by the second without the constant election buzz in my brain. I got most of my election addiction through the internet - blogs, news sites, etc. - but the end result was the same as TV...

whew.

[Retired Syd]

Stacy and Steve: While Im not ready to go cold turkey (no cable, no internet), for the time being, Im just happy to have reduced my exposure. Lets just say Im just down from a pack a day.

[Sylvia B]

Ive been thinking a lot lately about how retirements actually an opportunity to rethink so many of our habits and reprogram ourselves so that what we do is more in line with what we believe. Not sure Ive got the courage to turn off the TV yet but I am certainly making a commitment to no more endless consuming.