I ditched cable TV years ago, and Netflix was a big reason for that. But between Netflix, Disney+, and Prime Video, I was juggling too many subscriptions. So when Netflix came up for renewal, I figured it was time to cut one loose.
To my surprise, I didn’t miss it as much as I thought I would. A few months later, I cancelled Prime Video too, and realized it’s hard to miss something you don’t have to look forward to. I was paying for content I barely watched, and all those choices weren’t making my evenings any better. It made me rethink how many subscriptions I actually need, if any. I’m not swearing off streaming altogether, but something had to change.
Too many subscriptions is why I cancelled Netflix
I used to pay for Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video and even some regional OTT platforms
My primary reason for taking time off from Netflix was the ever-increasing subscription costs. Now add the cost of multiple other OTT platforms that we subscribe to, because not all your favorite shows are available on one platform. If Stranger Things is exclusive to Netflix, Rings of Power belongs to Prime Video. Similarly, Disney+ has its fair share of fan favorites that you won’t find anywhere else.
The costs add up quickly. Between Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, and a couple of regional platforms, I was paying close to $50 a month just for streaming. That’s around $600 a year on subscriptions, and I wasn’t even watching half of what was available. Most of the content sat there untouched while I paid for the privilege of having access to it.
Streaming services also overwhelm you with choices. I would frequently hop between multiple services trying to find the latest trending show or a movie worth watching. At the end of the day, I spent more time browsing through catalogs than actually watching anything.
I can’t count how many times my partner and I sat down for dinner, trying to find something to watch, and by the time we picked something, we had already finished eating. The endless scrolling became a routine, and most evenings ended with us settling for something mediocre just because we were tired of searching.
The reality is that having more options made the experience worse, not better. I was paying for abundance but getting frustrated as a result of it.
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Cancelling Netflix forced me to be more productive
I stopped binge-watching and started doing other things
Once Netflix was gone, I noticed a shift in how I spent my evenings. Without a library of shows waiting to be binged, I found myself doing other things. I started reading again, something I had neglected for years. I also started to play more physically active games, which is necessary after sitting on the chair for hours straight, writing and editing.
The compulsion to “just watch one more episode” also disappeared. Before, I would tell myself I’d watch one episode after work, and three hours later, I’d still be on the couch. Without that temptation readily available, I was more intentional about how I spent my time.
I also slept better. No more staying up past midnight because I wanted to see how a season ended. My mornings became easier, and I got more done during the day because I wasn’t dragging from a late-night binge session. It’s a small change, but it made a noticeable difference in my daily routine.
Now I rotate streaming services
Not more than one service at a time
Instead of paying for multiple services at once, I now subscribe to one service at a time. I’ll keep Disney+ for a couple of months, watch what I want to watch, and then cancel it. Next, I might switch to Prime Video or another platform and repeat the process.
By the time I come back to Netflix again, there’s usually a lot of fresh content waiting for me. And if nothing catches my interest, I simply turn the TV off and do something else. This isn’t just about saving money (that’s one part of the equation, yes). It’s also about watching less TV and avoiding the mediocre content that’s there just to fill the catalog.
The downside is that you can’t follow weekly releases in real time or join the conversation when everyone’s talking about a new show. But honestly, waiting a few months until a full season drops works better for my viewing habits anyway.
Cancelling Netflix has saved me more than just money
I still have my Disney+ subscription active because my wife uses it to watch her favorite shows. I’m not saying you should cancel every subscription. But paying for multiple services at once personally feels like wasted money that I could have saved for a more relaxing vacation or spent on a productivity upgrade for my work setup.
The good news is that Netflix saves your profile, preferences, and viewing history for up to 10 months, so you can restart your membership without losing anything. Cancelling doesn’t have to be permanent. It’s just a way to take control of your spending and your time. And I am glad that I made the choice.
