When Life Feels Unpredictable, Comfort Shows are Reliable

Television go-to’s

Liz Lemon in 3rd Rock From the Sun is one of my favorite characters. Screenshot by Author.

With the turn of the season, the current political climate, and other stressors holding my mind hostage — I find myself craving the familiar, the easy.

No brainpower is required.

I’m not a huge TV watcher. I don’t put much effort into searching out what’s new.

I won’t say I even have good taste.

I tend to rewatch shows, with Gilmore Girls being my most consistent pick.

When assessing why this is the case for so many people with Gilmore Girls, Ellen Hendrickson, a clinical psychologist at Boston University, states:

If predictability or certainty is missing from your life, or if we’re reflecting on the larger political landscape, or environmental uncertainty, even something like a TV show can definitely act as a certainty anchor

Left: As a lover of baths, this scene in High Fidelity speaks to me. Right: I’m a Yoga With Adriene regular. Photos by Author.

For me, rewatching and comfort shows are intertwined.

And like my books, I like contemplative shows:

• Broad City
• Gilmore Girls
• Seinfeld
• Sex and the City
• High Fidelity
• Insecure

Do you re-watch shows? What are your go-to’s?

I need all of the comforts I can get right now!