Earlier this week, I committed to perform some act of abnegation (self-denial) as part of the DIVERGENT Faction-of-the-Week Challenge. And let me tell you… abnegation isn’t for the faint of heart.
I started the challenge with 24 hours television free. *ducks for cover* Before you mock, let me explain… I have a crazy life. Ridiculous crazy, filled with a six-month-old, fulltime job, a ministry, and sundry other things resultant from the fact that it is physically impossible for me to say “no” to anyone who asks me to help with anything. So, usually, my husband and I will put baby to bed and then enjoy an hour of Bones… or Criminal Minds… or what-have-you, just to relax. It’s mindless entertainment at its best. (I’ve now finished defending myself. Let’s proceed.)
What I learned is that making a conscious decision not to watch television is hard. It’s hard because you’re the only one doing it – and everywhere you go and everywhere you are, there’s a huge box blaring at you. I took Bren to see my grandmother… she’s got Bonanza on full blast. Go to a restaurant… they’re piping in ball games and Everybody Loves Raymond. There’s not a moment of peace to be found anywhere. On TV-free day, I enjoyed the quiet. It made me wish for more quiet moments and look for ways to root them out. I will do better at this.
My next challenge was 24 hours chocolate free. I’m not quite sure when I became a chocoholic; I only know that it happened. But you know what? This challenge was easy. I didn’t even miss it. Sweet!
Today I’m going caffeine free. *shudders* All I can say is, “Wish me luck!” This is one I want to stick with permanently. Caffeine makes me nervous, and it keeps me from sleeping well, and I hate it, yet I still love it. Call this the first day of the rest of my decaf life. I hope, I hope, I hope.
The hard part of removing something from your life is that you have to fill that little life-bit back up with something. So if you remove television, for instance, you have to put something in its place. Or instead of chocolate, carrots (eww). It’s taking the intentional road instead of the thoughtless one. I don’t think any of the things I chose were difficult to give up, but I did have to get all Robert Frostish up in here and actually think about where I was going/what I was doing. I had to decide what to do instead of mindlessly going through the motions. It meant living life with purpose, even with the small stuff. It was a good thing and I needed to be reminded of it.
Next up… 24 hours internet free. Yeesh.
Wow, I love your 24-hour free mini-challenges–and so thought-provoking that when we take something away, we need something to fill its place!
Also, while I always feel slightly panicked at the idea of an internet-free day, whenever I do force myself to unplug, it feels AMAZING. Good luck and have fun! Adding your link to my post now! 😀
I keep thinking up excuses why I can’t unplug today… or tomorrow… or the day after that… but you’re right. I know that it is going to be an AWESOME day! Just not today. 🙂
[…] Lori Tays Eastep […]
“It’s taking the intentional road instead of the thoughtless one.”
Oh now THAT is the most convincing argument for Abnegation that I’ve heard. That actually is a truly great perspective to take on the whole matter—well done! While I don’t necessarily agree with Abnegation’s larger intent, which I take to be the pursuit of an impossible “selfless” ideal, I definitely DO believe in living life with purpose.
And BRAVO for going w/out chocolate, TV and (shudder) caffeine! You are so strong!
I loved your thoughts on whether selfless is actually really selfless… all of the things I chose did have a selfish element to them. TV? More time to read/write. Chocolate? Losing that baby weight! Caffeine? Sleeping better at night. So looking at it as an exercise in intentionality was the only way I could make it work in my head. 🙂
So interesting, the way you took the challenge. I love the idea of abstaining for 24 hours from something. Great idea.
It’s such a short time, but it really does get you thinking…
Wow… I have to say this is my new definition of abnegation: It’s taking the intentional road instead of the thoughtless one.
I love the 24 hour challenge ideas.
I don’t know I could give up the internet – my iPhone is welded to my fingers – but I’m curious to see how you do.
And I agree with Sarah, that is one of the best Abnegation arguments.
I’m getting all nervous just thinking about 24 hours without internet! Sad.
The 24 hour challenges are such a great idea! And good luck with the caffeine 🙂
Thanks… I’m going to need it! 🙂
What a great idea! I love breaking it into chunks 🙂
Wow, I bow to your ability to abnegate! I’d love to demand a TV free zone for 24 hours at my house, but I think it would turn into mutiny and I’d be thrown out of the house by my kids.
I can’t even think about going w/o chocolate and caff…yeah…can’t even think about it!
🙂
Good luck with that!