We have a tradition around our house. We practice this tradition every Monday and it has changed us for the better. Because of this tradition, there’s a greater sense of peace in our home, we’re a closer family, and we’ve learned some incredible things along the way. When this tradition was first suggested to us by some friends of ours, I kind of shrugged it off. But my wife persisted, and boy am I glad she did!
So what it this miracle tradition?
We call it Media Fast Monday.
On Mondays, the TV does not get turned on, the computer is only used for work and school, and video games are off limit. It’s only for one day out of the week, but it makes a massive difference!
Here are a few of the benefits we’ve gained:
1. We get more reading in. If you never seem to have time to read, you’d be surprised at how many books you can devour by simply spending one night a week with a book. I could write an entire post about the difference reading makes, so dive in!
2. We spend quality time as a family. Let’s be honest, time together around the TV set really isn’t quality time. With the TV off, we play games together, work on art projects, and have fun interacting. The kids don’t dread Media Fast Monday, they look forward to it!
3. Our marriage is stronger. Again, time around the TV together really isn’t that quality, and good, quality one on one time usually leads to MORE one on one time with the spouse (if you catch my meaning). Turning the TV off has made us better lovers :-).
4. Fasting Media has a detoxifying effect. With the TV off, I tend to feel less anxious, the house is quieter, and having less stimulation helps to clear the brain and calibrate my thoughts. I often do my best writing during a media fast.
I want to challenge you to give it a try for six weeks. It may sound radical but it really is a small price to pay for the benefits you gain. Don’t give in to the temptation to work late on Monday nights or preoccupy yourself with going out with friends or doing household maintenance projects. Use the time to strengthen your family relationships, your mind, and your spirit.
Let me know what you think! Do you think you’ll try it? Do you do something similar? Tell me about it!
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My wife and I recently moved to a new home. During the move we decided to not install cable tv in our new home. Prior to the move we had a satellite tv service that we were paying way too much a month for the amount that we were actually watching. It was usually on but we didnt really watch much of it just sit in front of it. We still watch the occasional movie or tv show over the internet but we have found that we spend more time with each other and get a lot more done in the evening on our small business. I do miss it a little every once in a while like during the superbowl but mostly i am really glad that i dont have it because i would be sitting comatose in front of it.
Great point Chuck! We ditched cable TV 2 years ago and don’t miss it a bit!
Funny… we just got our tv going again after a 4 month hiatus. The bulb had burned out so I decided since it cost almost $100 for a new one we would wait until tax return season to purchase a new one. We just did, and honestly, I was happy with no tv. Sounds messed up but I was ready to leave it broken. I’ve been reading a ton more and it hasn’t been a distraction. So we made a rule when it got fixed that during the week it could only be on after a certain time. That also gives the kids a small window of time on school nights to play a game.
4 months is enough time to complete a college course from home!
Lee you never cease to suprise me,before TV became a time and life stealing ‘must have’ medium every aspect of family life was better.As in all things TV has a useful purpose,unfortunately the vast majority of programming is brain numbing garbage.Less is better,make TV night a one evening per week family affair the results are amazing.God Bless you and yours always.
TV only ONE night a week sounds awesome!
Hello dear friends!
It’s being 2.5 years of our TV free life . This box ( does not matter how fancy it looks) will never come back to our home.
There is no regret to this act. News are always available online.
We’ve realized – the only thing we own in life is time giving us by our Lord and a lot of it was just wasted in front of TV.
New friends, lots of books, the Bible , gethering, traveling, exploring is happening right now.
Be blessed everyone!
Yelena.
So true! Imagine what we could do with all of the time we wasted in front of the TV!
I know, right?!
Like your idea and the results your getting. Don’t watch near as much as I used to but like the idea of a night off. I’m thinking for me Wednesday night might be a good one. Will keep you posted.
Sounds like a plan. You can read all those David Adam books on Wednesday nights!
I love the idea. TV is not a problem for me but I’m ALWAYS online. I don’t have a family but I think it would be great to do for myself. Focus on reading and focus on Jesus!
thanks so much for the nudge and encouragement to start this – thought my husband and daughter might balk, but just the opposite! our middle schooler even told her friends she was having ‘game night’! our family may need to adjust our night to do this, but it was a great, calm atmosphere and it made the night seem longer! thanks again!
That’s wonderful! Thanks for the great report!
I like that idea. Any fast from tv is a good idea to me. I have always referred to tv as a “thief”. You can have family time with it but more often then not it steals from a family. If it were up to me we wouldn’t even have one. We don’t have cable and wouldn’t take if even if it was free.