Breaking Up With HGTV

Dear HGTV:

It saddens me to have to tell you this, but our twenty year relationship is over.

I would say "It's not you, it's me", but that would be a lie. It IS you.

When we first became friends all those many years ago, you helped me to paint and decorate our new "old" house on a budget. You inspired me with gardening shows and crafting shows. 

Shows like Design on a Dime and the Carol Duvall show taught me how to fussy cut and showed me the many uses of Mod Podge.

I learned how a slipcover or throw could transform an ugly couch. You showed me how paint was a cheap way to make sad rooms look pretty. You taught me about thrifting and painting furniture. You showed me how easy it was to sew a curtain.

I realized this week that you have not taught me much in recent years. That's probably why I have watched you less and less.

What have I learned? For starters, I have learned a lot about conspicuous consumption. I have learned how un-environmentally friendly your audience can be as you rip out perfectly good kitchen cabinets and countertops destined for the landfill. I have learned that a house is only good if it looks like everyone else.

I noticed a real shift in recent years when the shows seemed to be more about the "personality" than the product. And when you started highlighting "alternative lifestyles" like "throuples", I knew there was no coming back.

I tried to be discriminating. If a show was not shaping up to be my cup of tea, I would quickly change the channel. Honestly, I barely pay attention to the shows, anyway. You were merely background noise when the house became too quiet. And sometimes, nothing puts me to sleep on the couch quicker than an episode of House Hunters.

I tried to fake it. I tried to turn a blind eye. But I just cannot watch you anymore and hold on to the goodness and truth that are so important to me.

You should know that it's not just you. I've stopped watching other channels and shopping at some stores, too. I don't miss them, and I won't miss you.

And now that we are no longer flipping houses every other year, I care less and less about what will make a future buyer happy, and I think more about what makes me happy.

This week, our church had a "free to good homes" event in our gym after cleaning out the storage room.

This hymn board with vintage numbers spoke to me. I had to bring it home. I will post my favorite hymns, and it will help me to "think on these things".

True, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable. 

I am not thinking about Carrera marble waterfall countertops and brass fixtures and custom vent hoods.

 I am thinking on these things instead. And I'm feeling a lot lighter with you out of my life.

Goodbye, HGTV!