Our generation is going downhill fast because of the rise of the technological revolution. Humans are headed for a life stricken with social anxiety due to our lack of communication with others. Or at least that’s what our parents think…
Netflix is one of these technological advances that is not understood by many adults. As millennials, we often receive criticism such as “you always stay up to late watching Netflix, and that's why you're tired” or “you should be studying.” What they don’t realize is how spending countless hour watching Netflix is actually helping us.
As I am finishing up my freshman year of college, I am starting to hear lots of students saying “I wish I would have gone out more.” I don’t agree. Yes, of course I enjoy hanging out with my friends and getting off campus, but I value my time spent laying in bed or in my hammock staring at a screen and answering Netflix’s dreaded question: “Are you still watching?” As I reflect back on my year, I remember all the dinners out and nights spent at Top Golf, but I also remember the shows I binge watched. Feeling as close to some of the characters as I do to my real friends, my favorite TV shows hold a dear place in my heart. Before you start judging me as some weird unsocial chick, let me explain why.
Each of the shows I have binged watched over the years has taught me something about myself. They have inspired me to live a life that I am happy to wake up to every morning. They have helped me pick a major, and they showed me how to see things from a different perspective.
Park and Recreation
Who doesn’t love Andy and April? I consider myself a pretty outdoorsy girl and have been called ‘granola’ once or twice due to my drive to protect the Earth, so Leslie’s love for parks speaks deeply to me. This show has helped to remind me that I want to live somewhere where I can be close to the outdoors and help to preserve this wonderful Earth we are so lucky to live on.
Gossip Girl
I’m secretly obsessed with Blair, and I wish I was even the slightest bit as ballsy as her. Blair and Serena have personalities that drive them to do anything they want. They don’t let anything stop them. While they appreciate the opinions of others, they are their own individuals. We should follow their lead, and be reminded to strive after our dreams.
Criminal Minds
I am a psychology major, and I strongly believe that this show helped me to choose this. I was originally a nursing major, but after realizing it wasn’t for me, I was reminded of how much I loved my high school Intro to Psych class, as well as my Psych 102 class in college; it was my favorite class all year! The way the BAU profiles criminals amazes me. I find myself profiling alongside them throughout the episode and I’ve learned so much about psychology from it. (It’s actually one of the most closely related TV shows to real life in the FBI).
Treehouse Masters
Again, I love the outdoors. I’m not saying I want to build tree houses as a career, but holy smokes, do I want one? YES. Even spending a few hours outside on my Phoenix campus can calm me down and bring me back to my happy place.
Adventure Time
Have you ever watched this show, giving it your full attention? It may just be a silly cartoon, but it’s pretty insightful. With advice about friendships, relationships, discovering yourself, and exploring, this show is extremely imaginative and keeps me laughing too.
Those are just a few examples as to how my Netflix and Hulu binge watching helped me grow as a person. No, I don’t yearn for a real life Gossip Girl, or think I have the ability to stop murderers in their tracks just yet, but these shows have reinforced to me what kind of things I find interesting, and what exactly I can learn from the mistakes and successes of others. So yes, do go out with your friends every once in awhile, but don’t be afraid to throw in a bag of popcorn and spend quality time with one of our greatest friends, life coach, and past time: Netflix.
