Why You Should Limit Netflix Time and Instead Write Your Own Story
It’s no secret that Netflix has taken the world by storm. With everyone stuck at home due to city lockdowns and quarantine policies, defaulting to Netflix seems like the most naturally good idea.
In fact, according to data from Statista, Netflix had 207.64 million paid subscribers worldwide as of the first quarter of 2021, with about 16 million+ new subscribers coming in as soon as the lockdowns kicked in the first quarter of 2020, according to this BBC article.
Don’t get me wrong — I’m not saying to stop watching Netflix entirely. I, myself, am guilty of s̶o̶m̶e̶t̶i̶m̶e̶s̶ binging on series, Kdramas, and anime, just like everyone else (SNK fans, anyone?).
My biggest beef with Netflix is precisely because it can suck you into a time-wasting vortex of non-stop binging madness, where you get lost in numerous, different worlds. In the end, before you realize it, all your free time is spent being engrossed in the stories of others (usually fictitious characters’ at that).
And to be honest — it makes so much sense to just zone out and vicariously experience what your favorite character goes through in every new series. The stories are so captivating, interesting, and exciting, that you can’t help but feel drawn in, especially when the world is undergoing so much turmoil.
In a sense, the temptation to tune into Netflix and zone out is even stronger, since it allows one to escape from the current world we live in. Being able to relate to the characters in a story is a powerful thing.
And while it’s so easy to get lost in a story, you should never forget that you have your own story to write. And precisely because it’s yours, no one will ever write it for you.
So, if you feel stuck, unhappy, lost, directionless, then maybe it’s time to start paying more attention to yourself — after all, the best investment you can make is on yourself.
“The time for action is now. It’s never too late to do something.” — Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Truer words have never been spoken. Your time is up when your time is up, so you should get started the moment you realize things need to change. Don’t wait until the hourglass stops.
How To Start Writing Your Story in 3 Simple Steps
Step 1: Take a good look in the mirror and confront the brutal facts
When I say look at the mirror, I don’t mean to just look at your reflection, but to look even deeper, and see yourself for who you really are. Resist the urge to start judging yourself, and instead pretend you are looking at yourself as though you are another person.
Start listing down exactly how you typically spend your day, where you spend your time, and who you spend it with. This is who you are. Then, ask yourself, “Is this the person I want to become?” Be as honest with yourself as you can. There’s literally nothing to gain by fooling yourself.
Step 2: List what matters to you — values, people, and aspirations
Take a moment to then pause, reflect, and digest the reality of your situation. Yes, you may have been that person, but that doesn’t matter. You can choose to be your ideal self, and that starts now.
By asking yourself, “Who do I really want to become?” and “How do I want to live my best life?” you now have a reference point for where you need to begin, and what habits and activities you need to start building. As noted habits expert, James Clear said in his book, Atomic Habits, the best way to change is not to start with outcomes but with your identity.
Step 3: Live out your habits and make time for what matters
As obvious as the cliché “actions speak louder than words” is, it seems that most people stop short of dreaming instead of actually doing.
You are what you do, not what you say you’ll do. — Carl Jung
Armed with your newfound determination in who you want to become and where you want to spend your time, the next step is to simply start doing the activities that matter.
It’s only by applying the activities and habits of the person you ideally want to become that you will gradually transform into this exact person. It won’t come easy, but there’s no such thing as growth without struggle.
And because you have your list of who and what matters to you, you now have a clear reference to help you stay on track, ensuring that you are spending your time in an intentional way that you designed.
A Simple Rule To Help Limit Your Netflix Time
That’s why I started a new rule for myself — to only watch Netflix every Sunday when I unwind with the family.
By forcing myself to limit my Netflix time, I’ve effectively given myself more time and freedom to reflect and work on myself — my systems, goals, dreams, and aspirations.
It might seem a bit extreme, but the truth is that by having a self-imposed rule, you are giving yourself back the reins for how you want to spend your time, and trust me, you will feel very liberated.
Not only does this help me to get more things done throughout the week, but it actually makes me really look forward to spending a relaxing Sunday with the family, watching some new, exciting Kdrama. It makes watching Netflix all the more satisfying.
Ever since I’ve limited my Netflix binging, I feel truly grateful and blessed that I get to spend more time on building myself, and being with the people who matter, ultimately ensuring that as each day passes, I continue to write my own story.