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Friday, March 1, 2024

# 2024 # article

#Television VS #MentalHealth



As I was laying in bed early this morning, after working a 14-hour corporate shift, I was counting the days I still had to work before I had days off to binge-watch some of my favorite series (which I am quickly running out of).

Yes, I had worked 14 hours.
Yes, it was my first day back from an 11-day vacation.
Yes, I am tired of rewatching previous binge-watches like I used to.
Yes, I am almost out of things to watch.
Yes, I get too invested in the characters and will sometimes stop watching because one leaves.

Then my thoughts went in a different direction.
Television and movies are our escape from reality, similar to reading books - we can live and visit so many different worlds, and meet so many people......

But is this really good for us? Or maybe in more moderation than someone like me.

Here's why:

I am looking at these friendships and I have one friend (literally) and we met at work a few years ago. But we aren't the kind of friends you see working together on TV or meeting up, and talking to one another on TV. We text mostly. And then it's sporadic and maybe just a handful of back-and-forth messages, and then we are silent for days or weeks or months. We hang out, once every 12 to 18 months (and we don't live that far away from each other).

Now, I get the argument here: We're adults and have busy lives, families, demanding jobs.....

The question is, when we fall into watching these unattainable friendships, does it really give us comfort? Or is it actually unhealthy?

We see the relationships. Either they put them together and rip them apart and put them back together. Or they put them together rip them apart, have them get serious with 6 other people throughout 3 seasons, and put them back together....or have one totally done with the other while the other is so in love and attached and can't move on that it's not healthy.

Are we envious of any of these? Do the happy couples make us really, deep down, feel better or worse? Do the failed relationships, broken hearts, together and apart, pining for affection make us feel better or worse?

No judgment on my end - I will continue to binge-watch show after show when I find one that interests me. Harmful or not: I'm invested.

Are you a television binge-watcher too? Give my blog a follow because I'll be talking about some of my favorite shows and characters (and not so favorite) during 2024 and I'd love to chat with you about them!



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