31 Things Before I Turn 31: #24 Take the "No TV for 30 Days" Challenge

After getting out of the hospital, I got into a major creative kick and didn't turn on the computer for a couple of weeks. Then I realized, hey, one of my challenges is to go 30 Days without TV, summer shows are ending, most of the Fall shows don't start for two weeks, lets finish this thing. What an amazing experience! It really wasn't difficult, especially with my creative juices flowing and the weather turning so nice. I admit that I do enjoy chillin' to a good TV show, but I find that sometimes watching TV becomes a way to ignore the other things in our lives. Watching a show or two a night, or a few times a week, no big deal, but spending your whole day/evening with the TV, that's just not healthy. I also learned that there are still some shows that I watch more out of habit rather than enjoyment, and I didn't even miss them. So those got deleted. I will slowly catch up with the rest, maybe have a few marathons, plus there are new shows I want to check out. But really, if you don't look forward to it, what's the point? So what did I do instead?

1. Go out on Ladies Date Nights with friends. During this time I went to Eden's Alley, Accurso's, and the Bluebird and had some other friend time in between.
2. I meditated more. 
3. I started journaling daily and even purchased some inspirational books. It's been really great. 
4. I spent time outside just reading or soaking in the sun.
5. I spent time going to dinner and movies with my parents. 
6. I went up to various coffee shops and just read or did some writing.
7. I wrote a ton of Squidoo lenses.
8. I kept up with my blog, and did some design updates
9. I read
10. I did a few things off my 31 Things list, including organizing my photos, decluttering,  and some baking. 
11. I did MOPA sessions 3x a week, Resonance Repatterning, and Colonics. 
12. I focused on healing my body. 
13. I took naps
14. I made music playlists
15. I did some cooking, wrote a new casserole recipe, baked some blondies and my delicious pasta salad
16. I started back with Soldiers Angels and got my first lady soldier name this week

Overall it was a great experience. I really didn't even want to start watching again, but I wanted to eat something that involved both hands, and the new Sarah Michelle Gellar show "Ringer" started tonight. So I thought, what the heck? I enjoyed the show, but had no desire to watch any other TV. TV should be a form of entertainment, not a way to zoom out or my Mom and I will get into these conversations where she'll be backed up 2-3 episodes of some show and she's like "I should just sit down and watch them" and you know what, I used to feel that way too, but how stupid it that. It's not a chore, if you don't look forward to it, then what's the point. There are shows that I like that maybe once I start watching, I do enjoy it, but I have decided that if I'm not going to force anything, if it's an episode by episode show, and you get backed up, skin the damn thing already! Plus, you know you have those shows that you've watched for several seasons, and really, you don't care anymore, but it's part of what you watch. Delete it from your DVR; simple don't let your DVR record that show anymore, and see if you miss it. If you don't forget about it! 

Fall TV: My Picks for the Best Looking Potential New Shows

While I don't watch a lot of TV anymore, every Fall the networks release a batch of new shows. I always try a good portion of them out, most of which either I, or the network, decide aren't worth it after all. However, I almost always end up adding some new blood to my list of beloved shows. This year I've looked through all the potentials, and while there are several I will try, this is a list of the ones that look the most promising to me. For a a complete guide of Fall's new shows, click here. 

Ringer (CW) starts Tuesday Sept 13 @ 8pm
Sarah Michelle Gellar stars as twin sisters, one who has a troubled past, and other the "perfect" life. When the perfect sister commits suicide, the other secretly takes her place and discovers life may not have been so perfect after all.. This is been labeled a dark mystery in the same vein as "Damages". The preview is a little vague, but I've always had pretty good luck with CW shows, love Sarah, and can't get enough of an intriguing mystery. I have high hopes that this will become a new favorite addiction.




Whitney (NBC) starts Thursday Sept 22 @ 8:30pm
I'm in desperate need of a new comedy and of the one's I've previewed, this looks the most promising. The main character is quirky, fun and has a boyfriend that seems to really get her. Every preview I've seen has made me laugh, which is a HUGE deal in the world of comedy. I'd say this one has real promise.



A Gifted Man (CBS) starts Friday Sept 23 @ 7pm
This looks like a unique mystery, paranormal romance, and heartwarming experience all wrapped into one unique package. A doctor sees his ex-wife on the street and speaks with her for the first time in years. He later calls her office to check in with her, and discovers she's been dead for two weeks. Jennifer Ehle (who played Elizabeth Bennett in Pride and Prejudice) is a spirit that comes to him for help. I found this concept intriguing and am curious to see where they go with this story line over time.



 
Pan Am (ABC) starts Sunday Sept 25 @ 9pm
This show just looks like it could be a lot of fun. Set in the 1960's, it stars Christina Ricci, along with a group of other stewardess' who are fre-wheeling women determined to see the world. Saucy relationships, adventure, mystery, I love it already.




Once Upon a Time (ABC) starts Sunday Oct 23 @ 7pm
I've always been a sucker for a good fairytale and this looks awesome! A young woman discovers that she may be the long lost daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming and her existence in the modern world has caused chaos in the fairytale world. When the son she gave up years ago contacts her, she goes to visit him and gets wrapped up in magic and mystery. I can't wait for this one!



These are the shows that look to me to have the most promise, but there are a few other things I will probably try like the Zooey Deschanel comedy "New Girl", the new "Charlie's Angel's" another darker fairytale show called "Grimm", and a few other comedies that I'm hoping for aren't too painful. I could really use some more comedies in my rotation.

What Fall shows have grabbed your interest?