I don’t like surprises and I get really stressed if I don’t know what’s going to happen. I think that’s why I hate balloons so much – I don’t trust them not to go bang at any time. It’s a bit of a phobia and I avoid balloons if I can which is not that easy sometimes!
I stopped watching television in the mid 90s and it’s taken me a long time to work out why. At first I thought it was because I was uncomfortable with the evolution of reality TV and how people were being exploited for cheap programmes with the promise of fame and maybe fortune. I watched the first season of Big Brother and after that I just stopped watching live programming altogether.
But I’ve realised that the main reason I stopped is because watching TV is too stressful. As time went by shows and movies became more and violent and graphic. There’s more blood and violence, and more graphic sex, drugs and abuse included in programmes which I can’t cope with. It’s not fun or relaxing. As viewing populations have become desensitised over the years, I’ve stayed sensitive.
I miss out on a lot of good television, but I try to watch some things that have excellent reviews and have a big impact. I usually ask someone who has seen the show or film if they can tell me how much blood and violence there is. I try and find the synopsis online on Wikipedia or IMDB. Also I read the book if there is one, then I can make a more informed decision. When everyone was talking about Game of Thrones I read the books instead.
I don’t get to see all the latest shows and movies, but all of these techniques reduce the stress quite well and I can at least watch the shows I’m really interested in.
