What to Binge Watch Now!

Binge-watching and Anxiety 

After being in corona limbo for so long, I’ve recently started expanding my horizons past my usual Netflix binges. Typically, I watch the same shows over and over again even when there is new content being added almost daily. Little did I know, there is a reason for this. I saw a post explaining that people who suffer from anxiety tend to watch the same shows over and over because of the comfort we feel with knowing what will happen next. 

This has to be 100% accurate because I will avoid watching new, recommended shows just because of the anxiety and stress of it can get to be a bit much for me. I remember watching Breaking Bad and quitting the show for 8 months because the stress of the show was killing me. To this day I have yet to pick back up on Sons of Anarchy. That show is insanely good but the anxiety I got from watching it took me out. Usually, I’m not a super sensitive person when it comes to watching violent, high octane shows but depending on my place in life mentally and emotionally, I just cannot binge them. Letting the stress dissipate over the course of a week while you wait for the next episode to air is a way different feeling than watching 4-5 years worth of stressful tv in 3 weeks. See what I mean? 

So most of the time when I turn on Netflix, I’m turning on my old favs. I’ve watched Grey’s Anatomy from start to finish and my favorite seasons (1-10) at least 5 times. In case you’re wondering, yes I can do an appendectomy and a Whipple at this point. The Office is also on my list of comfort binge shows. I’ve watched this so many times that I even listen to the podcast about the show. It’s my jam. Sex and the City is almost a reference text for my life. I can’t forget Supernatural. I love watching horror movies and TV shows so of course, this would make my list. Sam and Dean get into everything creepy and they are just so easy to look at! 

Even though I love these shows with all of my heart, eventually they get a bit stale and I need to add new content to the mix. Binging, even on new content, can still be exciting and change up your mood, which has been so important to me lately. With the stress of everything going on in the world, I heavily rely on the media I consume to shift my perspective, educate me and distract me from my daily life. 

Here are a few of the things I’m currently using to do just that.

Podcasts Recommendations

The Michelle Obama Podcast – This is a new podcast, there are only a handful of episodes so far so it’ll be easy to binge. If I’m being honest, my desire to recommend this podcast is 90% of the reason I even wrote this post. I didn’t expect to like it as much as I do, I had little expectations going in and I came out so full! Each episode covers a different topic and usually features Michelle and a guest. What I really love is the candid conversations from this very seasoned woman. She has experienced so much and listening to this podcast makes me feel like I’m sitting in on my aunt’s conversations and soaking up all of their wisdom and advice. It’s a must binge honestly! 

The Read – I’ve recommended this before and I will do so every chance I get. This is the first ever podcast I listened to and I still tune in each week. Binging this one might be hard since they have been putting out weekly episodes since 2013, but listening to the last 4-6 episodes will still be worthwhile. This is a pop culture and social commentary podcast with two hosts who are blunt and well educated on all the topics they speak on. I really like that they don’t make too many off the cuff or ill informed judgements about celebrity topics or current events. I really keeps the amount of times I find myself yelling “No, actually that’s not what happened!” to my phone at a minimum!  

YouTube Channel Recommendations 

For a long time, I mainly used youtube to watch hair and makeup tutorials but now I’ve moved over to other types of content. Sure there is an absurd amount of campaign commercials right now, but if you can get past that, Youtube is a great platform to use to binge videos. And just because these videos aren’t made with a million-dollar budget, production team and celebrity guest stars don’t mean the content isn’t top tier. These creators spend a lot of time and money on these videos and it shows!

1. Bailey Sarian – Murder Mystery & Makeup – Bailey’s videos are a two for one! If you like True crime and makeup you will love her videos. She puts out new content every Monday but she has about 2 years worth of these true crime videos for you to catch up on. The videos are typically between 15-25 minutes but her personality is so vibrant that the videos don’t drag at all. I discovered her on Facebook and I’m so happy my suggestions finally brought me something worthy of watching!
2. Brad Mondo – Hair Stylist Reacts – I don’t know Brad personally but there is just something about watching him critique and react to videos of people ruining their hair with box dye that just makes me feel like we could be friends. Seriously, this is another instance of Facebook suggestions gone right. I watched all of his videos daily for about a month and for a brief moment I thought I had what it took to bleach my hair and color it purple in my bathroom. Thank god for self-control. 
3. King of Reads – Celebrity & social commentary – This channel keeps me up to date on the latest drama. There are a lot of channels and podcasts that do what Justin does on King of Reads but what sets this channel apart for me is how he tries to be fair and neutral in all situations. He doesn’t play favorites when telling the stories that he tells. He also accepts constructive criticisms of his hot takes when they become problematic and then genuinely apologizes in front of his audience, which is something that doesn’t happen very often. I come for the jokes and commentary, I stay for the honesty and humility. 

TV Series Recommendations 

I know I went to great lengths to explain how I cannot binge stressful shows… but these are too good for you to miss out on. All of three of the shows I’m about to recommend only have a couple of episodes or 1 season out right now so the stress level shouldn’t be unbearable. They are also heavily Sci-fi and horror-related (my two fav genres) so be forewarned, it isn’t for everybody. All three of these shows are on my list of shows to watch with hubby. Our interests in tv shows don’t always line up but when it does, we have a great time.

1. Raised by Wolves – HBO Max – from Ridley Scott, and it is so in every sense of the word. If you are familiar with the Alien franchise you will know what to expect. This show takes place in a universe where Earth has been destroyed by man’s idiocy (not surprising) and humanity is forced into space to try and further our existence. It has androids, monsters, and a cult-like religion. It’s a wild ride.
2. Lovecraft Country – HBO Max – This show has everything: racism, monsters, homosexuality, Journee Smollett, magic and so much more. (please tell me you got that SNL Steffan reference!) This is a great show. Like Watchmen, it tells historically accurate happenings but with a sci-fi twist. It can be confusing at times and there is deeply layered symbolism in each episode. If that’s your thing, you will love this show!
3. The Outsider – HBO Max – Based on the Stephen King novel by the same name, this show follows a detective in a small town that has fallen prey to some gruesome murders that of course, are not the work of an ordinary killer. Stephen King is my favorite author and as you know, his work has been adapted many times with varying quality. Although I have never read this book (but I plan to), this show is incredibly well done. 

I hope you enjoyed this list! Let me know if you’re obsessed with any of these and give me some recommendations to add to my list. I’ll watch them as soon as my anxiety permits lol

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