You’d think this might be a show about tigers… but it’s not, definitely not.
I binged watch the Tiger King show on Netflix. It was like a multi-episode slow motion car crash. I could. not. look. away. These characters can’t be real, can they? I don’t watch a lot of tv usually, but I just couldn’t help myself, and besides, I wanted to take my mind off the pandemic.
Then yesterday, came across this amazing quote by Dahlia Lithwick. She wrote an article titled, “How to Spend the Time”. (Link below)
“Suddenly, you are thinking about your time in a different way. Filling the days is not the chief concern. Time is not an empty thing to load up, so much as a precious thing to be doled out …”
Oh my gosh.
I’ve been doing two things with my time that haven’t been helping me. First, I’ve been reading tons of stuff about COVID-19. I read how viruses spread. I read about what a corona virus is. I watched a video about soap. I read about why people hoard toilet paper. I watched a video about those spring break kids in Florida who didn’t practice social distancing. I suppose some of this reading is worthwhile; it’s good to be informed. But I think I was reading so I could feel like I had some sort of control over this situation. Turns out the more I read, the more anxious I got. On more than one occasion during this quarantine, I’ve woken up absurdly early (think 2:00ish and 3:00ish) and haven’t been able to get back to sleep. Overindulging information resulted in anxiety.
Second, I’ve found myself watching more Netflix and scrolling through more Instagram. Now a little entertainment and a little social media are fine, right? But I realized that I was watching twice as much tv than my normal. I was watching to numb myself from the underlying anxiety. Thus Tiger King.
Now I’m not calling a media fast or canceling our Netflix subscription, (pretty sure the fam would string me up if I did!), but I have made some changes.
I’m recognizing better when I’m seeking control
I’m recognizing better when I’m seeking to numb
I’m reading more Bible and less news
I’m praying more and watching less Netflix
I’m attempting healthy portions of nutrient-rich food
I’m walking or going for a jog daily
I’m giving myself and my fam more grace
How are you spending your time?
***
How to Spend the Time by Dahlia Lithwick on Slate