Know Your Go-To: The Power of Comfort Shows
True fall weather is coming in cool (and wet, and cloudy) tomorrow, so while I am a bit sad to put the heat of summer behind us, it does prime the pump for full blown Gilmore girls season to start!
Know Your Go-To's
I am of the age to have watched Gilmore girls when I had to remember to set the VCR to record it.
I liked the show enough back then, but wouldn't say I was a super fan or anything. I liked seeing a bookish girl navigate life. Someone who was a bit like me.
Long brown hair. Avid reader. Introverted.
And bonus points, I used to live in the real Connecticut town that Stars Hollow shares a zip code with.
So when it came back to Netflix in 2014 and the revival in 2016, it reignited those familiar feelings of comfort and I've been rewatching ever since.
And there are science backed reasons why we fall back in love with rewatching our favorite shows.
“Immersion in this familiar fictional world restores self-control. Supplementary analyses suggest that it is the social nature of this familiar fictional world that contributes to restoration.” source
But it can be so much more than that!
The added benefit of loving a show in the age of the internet is that it can welcome you into the world of fandom. Where others love something as much as you do. And can bond strangers near and far.
Through Instagram rabbit holes, I ended up following several Gilmore girls fan accounts. And through commenting and messaging about our shared comfort show, I've connected with a group of several women across the world. I share more in this UpJourney article.
Our group chat is full of real world Gilmore inspired sightings, quotes... and sometimes, showing up for each other in real-life ways. (Love you ladies!)
Know Yourself
What is your favorite show? What about it keeps drawing you back into it, makes it feel like a comfy place to visit from your couch after one of those days?
The power of story can teach us so much. Whether is binge-watching or suffering from a book hangover, it can help reveal what we are working through in our inner lives, where we are needing rest or desiring a stronger sense of direction.
Notice what draws you in most about the show.
Is it the characters, the setting, the plot, the time of life that you watched it originally? Has it changed over the years? Why?
So many things can factor in and it's a fun sort of place to get curious and notice these things about yourself.
To help you know yourself better, get a little curious about what makes your favorites, your favorites. TV shows, books, songs, movies, whatever strikes a chord with you.
Have you ever dipped a toe into connecting with it on a deeper level or with other fan-atics?
If you have a show that truly brings you a sense of comfort, dork out a little and bring it into your daily life beyond the couch. Buy a themed mug. Blast the theme song or soundtrack. Light a candle inspired by the show. Some may call it weird, but is there really any better way to live?
I'd love to know what your favorite re-watch shows are!
*post may contain affiliate links
Stephanie Rose is a mom, wife, business owner and a forever student in finding ways to know herself better. She acts as guide for your own journey, sharing insights, tools and practices to help you remember your magic and live a life that lights you up. Sign up for her newsletter and check out her free resources.
Related entries
You know what adds ease and glow to my day? Enjoying some of my favorite things on the regular. And really noticing and appreciating how much they contribute to my well-being. Learn what restores my glow and tips for how you can get out of your own way and discover what really makes you glow.