In my early days of postpartum I started watching the local news in the morning and wheel of fortune at night. Since I don't have cable, just a few random channels, it felt comforting to watch something that was happening live, with thousands of other people also watching, like I was a part of something no matter how small. Now five months in, I still do these morning and evening TV rituals. I don't need to focus too hard or think too hard about what I'm watching while I'm caring for baby. But I feel like I've gotten to know the local anchors on the news, Ryan and Vanna on wheel. I think what it comes down to is that it makes me not feel so alone when motherhood feels heavy.
When i didn't have other hobbys, i used to watch TV series, but not my hobby has become YouTube surfing (watching mostly videos about language, animals, and music groups). About a month ago, i finished watching "Dark" TV series. Philosophically speaking, it seems incomprehensible at first, but the love bonds between some of its characters have deep roots, and after reaching Season 3 (its last season), you understand it more clearly.
Yes, it is. I love some actors but watching "Actors on Actors" videos isn't my favorite (My faves are watching videos of animals, languages, and music groups [Pentatonix, and Metallica] mostly).
My partner's recent surgery recovery saw us watching Married at First Sight (UK) together. It was his suggestion, something to offer reprieve from newfound health anxieties. I had no idea there were so many episodes per season, it was perfect. We could switch from the practical aspects of care, to gossiping about how we differed as a couple to the strangers lumped together in the "experiment". It was a silly salvation.
This type of escape makes complete sense to me. After Renley died, I watched horror movies nearly nonstop. I almost forgot about that until you wrote this post. Sometimes we do need that escape, just to get through a day, or a few weeks, months.
There's also something to be said for watching these shows as a way to feel connected to a larger pop-culture conversation. That was definitely a reason I got back into VPR when Scandoval happened. I sometimes struggle with the ethics of it all (the eternal circle of "should these people be on TV? They are getting paid, but should I be watching them?"). But I enjoy connecting with someone over VPR and the Valley and the Housewives. You can get to so many interesting (some might say "deeper") places from those starting points!
In my early days of postpartum I started watching the local news in the morning and wheel of fortune at night. Since I don't have cable, just a few random channels, it felt comforting to watch something that was happening live, with thousands of other people also watching, like I was a part of something no matter how small. Now five months in, I still do these morning and evening TV rituals. I don't need to focus too hard or think too hard about what I'm watching while I'm caring for baby. But I feel like I've gotten to know the local anchors on the news, Ryan and Vanna on wheel. I think what it comes down to is that it makes me not feel so alone when motherhood feels heavy.
Oh, I love that. Wheel of Fortune such a soothing show! It’s even less stressful than Jeopardy!.
When i didn't have other hobbys, i used to watch TV series, but not my hobby has become YouTube surfing (watching mostly videos about language, animals, and music groups). About a month ago, i finished watching "Dark" TV series. Philosophically speaking, it seems incomprehensible at first, but the love bonds between some of its characters have deep roots, and after reaching Season 3 (its last season), you understand it more clearly.
YouTube is definitely a rabbit hole—I love watching Actors on Actors in particular.
Yes, it is. I love some actors but watching "Actors on Actors" videos isn't my favorite (My faves are watching videos of animals, languages, and music groups [Pentatonix, and Metallica] mostly).
My partner's recent surgery recovery saw us watching Married at First Sight (UK) together. It was his suggestion, something to offer reprieve from newfound health anxieties. I had no idea there were so many episodes per season, it was perfect. We could switch from the practical aspects of care, to gossiping about how we differed as a couple to the strangers lumped together in the "experiment". It was a silly salvation.
This type of escape makes complete sense to me. After Renley died, I watched horror movies nearly nonstop. I almost forgot about that until you wrote this post. Sometimes we do need that escape, just to get through a day, or a few weeks, months.
Thanks for sharing Esmé! I'm always here for VPR!
There's also something to be said for watching these shows as a way to feel connected to a larger pop-culture conversation. That was definitely a reason I got back into VPR when Scandoval happened. I sometimes struggle with the ethics of it all (the eternal circle of "should these people be on TV? They are getting paid, but should I be watching them?"). But I enjoy connecting with someone over VPR and the Valley and the Housewives. You can get to so many interesting (some might say "deeper") places from those starting points!