I got sucked into some reality TV recently, and I am still trying to cleanse my brain from the damage. I don’t know why I did it. (That’s a lie. I do. I was tired, and it was cheap, easy entertainment.) Reality TV of all kinds makes me very uncomfortable, especially the competition shows. Even if they suck, I feel bad when someone loses.
The show I was watching was from the “Real Housewives” franchise on Bravo. I didn’t sympathize or empathize with any of these women, and I often found the storylines too ridiculous to believe. But there I sat, pushing “next episode” and binge-watching an entire season.
I know better.
We are what we consume, and that doesn’t just mean food. What we watch, read and listen to makes a difference, and even if we think we’re immune, the content is influential. And the negative content is more influential than the positive.
This wisdom applies to all forms and messages found on any media platform. Not all of it is true, and not all of it is healthy, including the news. This is especially true during an election year when news agencies bombard us with an agenda to promote. Your political views may match one news channel more than others, but don’t be fooled. They all contain spin.
Please understand that I am not criticizing those who enjoy reality TV. I love many friends and family members who are regular viewers and true fans. They can see the value of the entertainment, which doesn’t cause them anxiety. It is genuinely fun for them to watch, form opinions and anticipate the next story line.
This issue is similar to spending too much time on social media. It’s not the best use of my time, and my time is extremely valuable to me. This experience gave me an opportunity to rest and escape reality while recovering from a surgical procedure, and I am grateful. But now that I am better, I need to do better.
2 responses to “Unreal Housewives”
It’s so very refreshing to know someone has the same perspective as myself regarding tv and social media. Thank you for putting this out there. I thought I was odd man out. I am becoming more sensitive to this the older I get. Explains to me why our society as a whole has become extremely anxious. We do not realize the power of what we take in and feed our minds. As a collective we are addicted to drama and negativity. Feed me rainbows, unicorns and flowers. I have found way more peace and happiness there.
You are not alone!