Attention

I've been keeping to my movie length rule, which allows me to watch a DVD or movie in a day or the equivalent worth in a day. This means no binging or incidental watching; I need to know exactly what I want to watch or otherwise the time is lost. As I am extremely busy these days, I don't get much time in which to do this.

Combining these two factors, and I have really grown to appreciate the little amount of time I get in the day to watch a movie or a bit of a show. Unlike when you binge watch TV (as I have done, you have done, and everyone has done), you can really appreciate what you are watching much better if it is limited. I have noticed that as much as I love to watch compelling television (take your pick as an example: Breaking Bad, Kids In The Hall, Parks And Recreation), if you watch a whole bunch at once your mind goes numb and it becomes a lot less compelling. I have found the threshold of this to be 2-3 hours. This depends of the type of show and the length of an episode. If a show is half an hour long, then about 2 hours is 6 episodes, whereas with an hour long show you can watch 3. Putting a limit makes it much more enjoyable and you pay attention. If you start watching a show and really like it, it almost can be like a chore, something you must keeping doing and get through. I notice I stop paying attention when I watch too much. My mind wanders, I watch but don't see, I surf the internet. Now I can focus.