I’m going to start by saying that I love Netflix. I really do. But I have a serious bone to pick with it.
Since signing up over a year ago after moving interstate, I became a Netflix addict. To the point where it really affected some important aspects of my life.
Netflix was my back up for everything. Cancelled plans? more Netflix. Dodgy weather? I’ll just stay home and re-watch Gilmore Girls for the millionth time.
Feeling flat was okay too, because I always knew I had episodes of Designated Survivor, Sons of Anarchy and Pretty Little Liars to catch up on.
I stopped going outside. I stopped socialising with the few friends I’d made in my new city. I became almost lifeless. Heck, I even stopped exercising. That alone was a huge red flag.
But at first, I didn’t think Netflix was the cause. I was quick to blame my homesickness and the cold weather, but not once did I think my new sedentary lifestyle could be the problem.
So, about a month ago, I did the unthinkable.
I cancelled my Netflix account.
I know. It’s a big deal. And it’s something I was reluctant to admit to my friends and colleagues.
Mainly because I wanted to avoid the ‘but what about the new series of 13 Reasons Why that is dropping soon?!’, and ‘don’t you miss binge-watching Gilmore Girls?’ comments.
The truth is yes, I did miss it for the first few weeks. But they say it takes 21 days to break a habit, and I’m well and truly past that point.
“So…what do you do if you don’t watch Netflix anymore?” my housemate asked when I informed her of my decision.
“Well, lots of things,” I told her.
I sleep more, which should be a huge plus for anyone, and my quality of sleep has improved out of sight.
Now this could be because I’m just so damn tired all the time (more than likely), but I’m going to put it down to having less screen time when I get home at night, resulting in a much more consistent sleep pattern.
The Out Loud crew discuss why the ‘Non Zero Day’ rule is changing lives. Post continues after audio…
Working in digital media means I’m already in front of a screen for eight hours a day, sometimes more, so going home after work to have even more screen time is a little problematic. For me anyway.
Top Comments
There are absolutely NO articles on addiction to Netflix. It's difficult to find anything more than 2 youtube videos and random blogs. I'm glad to hear quitting worked for you. I'm having trouble quitting but it's starting to affect my thought process and writing as well! I'm feeing dumber and slower. Seriously need to go to rehab for Netflix.
Ain’t nobody got time for that!! Preach it!! Lol that is so true, restraint is torture, just go cold turkey.