LOVE, Kloudiia

It was TV Turn Off Week from April 24-30. How many of you are aware of this campagin in the US? I didn’t before, until I read about it on Creating Passionate Users.

Read about this post here: It’s TV Turn Off Week — can you do it?

Before I even pore over that post, the title itself already sparked off a flood of memories on the time when I was in Hong Kong …

That was 2003, January.

After finally found my apartment, the next tedious thing is to turn it into a home, MY home. Which means, to get furniture! As I was on a budget (tight budget actually), well who isn’t anyway, so I decided to hunt for second-hand stuff. What a time and energy-consuming and draining activity (chain of activities actually) that proved to be! But, I’m glad I didn’t just took the easy route and bought everything, and instead took my time to search for the “perfect” [NB: perfect here means the most value-for-money item that fits my needs, requirements (which was pretty tough mind you ha), condition and my dear pocket] piece. Because without this experience, how can I say I have lived abroad independently! haha

Ok, cut story short. 

I was an ultra TV addict during my pre-HK era, and trust me, I would literally record the shows that could run up to as many as 10 tapes, all stacked up waiting for my off days to pounce on them, one by one.

The test came. I was TV-less for close to 2 months in HK! Because I had not found one that suits all my criteria in my hunt. And that’s 60 days straight! 60 days! Can’t record too!

Did I survive, or did I went berseck with the lack of my primary source of pastime?

I SURVIVED !!! HIP HIP HURRAY!

Most importantly, I have learnt somehing from that episode. I discovered that, when I didn’t have the luxury of TV entertainment, I was kept busy with all the other stuff that needed my attention. Cleaning up, packing, going to places to view furniture etc, had all consumed my leftover waking hours after work. And if I do end early, there’s always the wonderful book to keep me nourished. Well, it makes it much easier that reading is also top of the list of my hobbies, ranked below sleeping and watching TV haha.

And, I didn’t miss TV, afterall! i knew this because I didn’t feel sore when my colleagues talked about the drama plots during lunch. I knew this because, after my set came, I didn’t become sorely addicted to it like I used to.

Why? Well, I did become a potato couch for a while, before I pursued other interests. When piano and jap lessons came, wow, don’t I have plentiful to do than having my eyes peeled on the 15″ screen.

I don’t have to drag myself away from the Tv. I would gleefully and excitedly plunge into my Japanese textbook, notes and audio CDs, as I can’t wait to learn more on my favourite language and to perfect the AIUEO.

I would also woo my piano with fervour, where I will practise my scales and my favourite songs, sometimes marvelling at my own improvements, while at times stressing over my butter/rigid fingers.

I enjoyed learning so very much more than watching TV!

I even found a way that makes learning and TV complementary. Yes, by selecting the type of shows I want to invest my time on, and many times, tuning in the MTV channel, I could go onlline, do my work, revise my Jap, listen to music (great accompaniment for me while working) and watching the lastest MTV, all at once! Isn’t this great?

Back to 2006, now, Singapore.

Due to my previous heavy work during Two To Tango days, it was of no choice that I couldn’t stay faithful to TV.

Now, again, because of all the new learnings I am absorbing on Internet Marketing, and my obsession with blogging, my loyalty to TV has yet again been put to the test, and yes, it is surely weaning.

So, it’s back to the days when I feel much more fulfilled pursuing my passions (one of which is also currently my work!), developing on my growth and learning new things than staring at the black box.

It feels good to be in control of your life. Like now, I can freely select the programs I want to watch, depending on my objective like relaxing, enriching, keeping abreast of current affairs, interest etc. And, I can freely turn it off without a big internal struggle like I used to have.

And, I can freely complement it with my work, again! As I am typing now, the TV is on with the May Day concert on Channel 8 haha! Well, it’s music, and it lets my eyes take five if my favourite singer is on stage.

Verdict: I won’t die without TV. And I can make the best out with TV. Yes!

Reflection: Everybody can get rid of any addiction. All they need is to find the purpose in their life and a passion worth pursuing for. Because it doesn’t take a dummy to know and feel how your passion can feed your mind, body and soul and makes you feel so good about it that your addiction can’t.

Oh! It’s Stephanie Sun on TV now! Gotta run … ;p

[tags]TV turn-off week,TV,Addiction[/tags]