A comfortable night. I’ve accomplished all my chores and I’m snugly wrapped in my cherished threadbare pajamas. In my hand is a piping-hot cup of espresso emanating comforting heat. Whereas the surface world stays chaotic and unpredictable, throughout the confines of my cozy place, I uncover ease within the inviting glow of my acquainted laptop computer display.
Pondering what to look at tonight, I take into account a large number of choices. And but, I’m irresistibly drawn again to the identical three TV reveals — ones I’ve indulged in far too many instances to depend over the previous 20 years.
Rewatching TV Reveals: The ADHD Clarification
So what are the three TV collection which have captivated me for 20 years? Drum roll, please!
- Mates. As Chandler would say, this iconic sitcom is my lobster.
- Charmed. The collection solid a spell over me that hasn’t light over time. I even began making my very own E book of Shadows, which bought misplaced after I moved out of my first residence.
- Gray’s Anatomy. I dreamed of turning into a surgeon due to this present (a nonsense dream now). Both method, I nonetheless love the present and studying all about unusual ailments.
You could be considering: What sort of sane particular person would watch the identical handful of TV reveals again and again? It’s an affordable query that has even crossed my very own thoughts. For me, it has nearly every part to do with ADHD.
Tuning right into a New Present Is a Chore
Diving right into a brand-new TV collection is troublesome — even exhausting — with a mind that wrestles with consideration and focus. The tiniest distractions are sufficient to drag me away from understanding the plot of a brand new present. I’ll determine to shortly scroll via Instagram earlier than realizing that I missed a complete episode.
[Read: I Like TV the Way I Like Big Projects — In Small Chunks]
However with acquainted TV reveals, none of this is a matter. I can zone out and nonetheless know precisely what’s occurring. I already know the twists and turns that lay forward. I’m spared the burden of memorizing character names and conserving monitor of advanced storylines. I can absolutely have interaction with the story with out always feeling like I’m lacking one thing.
ADHD Wants Predictability
I already know your subsequent query: Doesn’t watching the identical reveals get boring? Positive, novelty may be thrilling for these of us with ADHD. But it surely can be overwhelming. That’s why a splash of predictability may be so soothing. Returning to my favourite TV reveals provides my stressed thoughts the sense of consolation and familiarity it typically wants. They’re my escape from the wild world exterior. When every part else spirals into a multitude, a minimum of I do know that Ross and Rachel will survive their rollercoaster romance.
Resolution Fatigue within the Golden Age of TV
Particularly in right now’s fast-paced world the place new reveals are launched at astonishing charges, sticking to the identical three appears like a no brainer. Whereas there’s a lot nice new content material on the market that teases the senses, it’s additionally a minefield of resolution fatigue and psychological exhaustion. I’ve caught myself aimlessly scrolling via streaming platforms for one thing new to placed on, solely to be overwhelmed by the minefield of selections nearly each time. I’ve seen limitless trailers for potential reveals and have learn numerous collection descriptions, however ultimately, I often quit and watch nothing.
If I keep on with my tried-and-true collection, it’s akin to picking vanilla on the ice cream store. I do know it’s scrumptious, and it’s in all probability higher than going for that bizarre taste hiding chunks of bubblegum or Swedish fish.
[Read: “How a TV Show Helped Connect Me and My Teenage Son”]
A Journey Down Reminiscence Lane
In fact, my unwavering devotion to those reveals goes past ADHD. For one, they’re reveals which might be simply too good to let go. However additionally they maintain a particular place in my coronary heart as a result of they stood with me throughout a few of the most difficult instances of my life. They supplied a much-needed escape when the load of the world felt insufferable, they usually offered a type of companionship when solitude threatened to eat me. Watching these reveals over time has jogged my memory of the place I’m alone journey, and the profound function these characters and their tales have performed in shaping my very own narrative.
Watching the Similar Present Over and Over: Subsequent Steps
CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF ADDITUDE
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