In my life thus far, I've come to learn that it is important to remember to appreciate the little things. For me, this sometimes meant remembering to give my dad an extra hug for making my lunch each morning before school. Sometimes it meant writing my teacher's "thank you" notes or making cookies for my friends' birthdays. This time, however, I thought I'd take some time to appreciate one of my most dependable companions: Netflix.
No matter what mood I'm in, Netflix has something that will make my day better. On the days when I've had too much class and have too much homework to do, I can find absolutely mindless television that will allow me to escape for about forty two minutes into the world of Bendel's and Met steps and the ever-fabulous duo that is B&S (and I'm incredibly thankful for that, @GossipGirl).
On the days when I miss my family and I just need to cry a little, I can turn on Parenthood and realize that my problems aren't that big while still smiling incessantly as I'm reminded of the familial love I miss so much. On the days when Michigan football isn't doing so hot, and yes, there were quite a few of those this year, I can turn on Friday Night Lights and root for the Panthers harder than I've ever cheered for any team that exists.
Netflix is, often times, the sole reason I can motivate myself to go to the gym. While I would never dismiss the incredible natural rush running on the North Campus Recreational Building's treadmills gives you, I am thankful to have something that distracts me from the burning sensation I feel in my legs-which I am not used to nearly as much as I should be.
Netflix has been there for me through it all. It was there in the dark days when mononucleosis made it nearly impossible for me to walk through the diag, let alone trek from North Campus to attend any sort of social gathering. Netflix made me feel like I was really still having a good time, hanging out with my best friend Leslie Knope and enjoying fighting with Tom Haverford about whatever new business endeavor he had somehow convinced himself would be a good idea.
While I admit that the amount of time we, as college students, spend staring at screens is excessive and probably completely unnecessary, Netflix has still been a trusty companion of mine throughout these first few months of college. And while I also acknowledge that watching television is a poor substitute for reading a book or maybe doing something like, I don't know, homework, it can provide an emotionally tumultuous college student with a brief hiatus from all responsibility (which is just simply necessary sometimes).
So cheers to you, Netflix. Please, keep doing what you're doing. I (and I think a few people probably agree with me) really appreciate it.
