Written by Chef James Barry
As a boy I was taught to “save” things; becoming sort of a mini-collector. At that age it translated to comic books and toys and as I got older, letters and all things related to school.
In many ways, being a collector was easy because my parents had a basement in their house in which all our collectibles were stored out of sight. Within the shelter of my parent’s home, I was able to expand my saving to all things I came across, particularly those things we call “freebies”. Then, when I was in my 20s, my parents divorced and everything in the basement had to go. I grabbed anything I thought I could sell and spent the next 7 years lugging all this stuff around hoping to profit off all this “free” money.
In February, month two of my yearlong media fast, I ran up against this “free” instinct. I can’t remember the last time I flew a plane and didn’t take advantage of the movies and other free media. It highlighted my free-spree conditioning where I feel obliged to take anything (and I mean anything!) that is free. From food samples to computer screen lint brushes with random company logos, I can’t pass up something that is free. Until now.
This media detox may have just cured me of taking freebies. With everything I take, buy, or receive, the chains grow heavier and longer. I now see that with every material good – free or otherwise – comes the responsibility of ownership.
If that item has no meaning or practical use, it immediately becomes baggage that I will only have to unload at a later date. Far better to travel light, enjoy each moment, and maintain a high quality of life.
Going media free has been a conscious reminder that time and space are precious. Life as we know it is already too short. My little girl is almost 8 months old, yet it feels like her birth was just yesterday. I’m hyper aware that these are the most precious times. You don’t need a kid to know that any day of living is a good day. That means enjoying and being grateful for all things: functioning legs, sunny days, the “Good Morning!” smile my daughter wakes up with, the gentle kiss of my wife, the food on our table, community, family…and on and on. Every minute I stayed up late watching television or movies, was a lost minute of something else. Every piece of clutter I brought home was precious space consumed. That doesn’t mean every minute needs to be accounted for, but there is an awareness of choice with how we spend our time and fill our space.
Fundamentally, going media free is about creating space as much as it is about being media-free.
Whether de-cluttering the mind or your environment, doing one will lead to the other.
It is nature’s law that once you take a step in one direction, your perspective broadens. Whether you are ready to admit it or not, time is precious for all of us. Filling that space with freebies leaves little space for the miracles of being alive.
Thank you for your update, Chef James! You have inspired me to have less media in my life and I have noticed the benefits. Definitely feeling a bit calmer. I really like your reflections on ‘space’ today and can say that I agree with what you are saying. We need to be conscious of what we are filling our space with versus just filling it. Last night my husband decided to turn on a certain news channel and I told him it felt like eating at Burger King after a fast. Ugh! He laughed and it was quickly turned off. 🙂
Awesome! So glad to inspire you! Yeah…it’s interesting, it really is like eating junk food after a fast. You feel how the junk is affecting you! Thanks for sharing Kristi!
I’m a huge fan of de-cluttering! I got rid of my television over 2 years ago and I never looked back. I would watch the news all day long until I finally realized it was toxic and left me feeling angry and anxious all the time. I’ve since gotten rid of a lot of stuff that I’ve been lugging around with me for years and never looked at or used.
I live very simply now, to the point where everything I own could probably all fit into 2 car loads – even my bed. I love it this way!! However, I don’t have a family to look after at the moment so that makes it a lot easier to not have things.
Love it Katie! You’re an inspiration. We are completely simplifying as well and loving it! Thanks for sharing!