There's never a lull in new TV shows to watch these days -- when most traditional network shows are in the off season, streaming almost always has something fresh to offer subscribers. But have you ever found yourself going back to rewatch episodes of a show you've already seen despite all the new options available at your fingertips?
You're not alone. And that's because, while craving new and exciting things is a completely normal part of human existence, so is seeking out familiarity and comfort. We don't keep watching the same TV shows and movies over and over because we don't know what else to watch. We do it because the act of watching something we love is soothing. And it matters.
Sure, you know how that final episode ends. You know each step that every character in the series takes to get to that ending. Maybe you even know many of their lines by heart. For many people, this provides a much-needed dopamine rush, a chance to truly sit back and relax with a story that no longer keeps you guessing while still probably keeping you on the edge of your seat.
And don't we all deserve to revisit the things that bring us joy and make us feel safe in times of difficulty and despair? You can still watch the latest trending series that everyone else is watching and have a good time. But if you want to go back to the beginning of a series that aired in the 2000s, one you have already seen from start to finish a handful of times or more, that is your right. You don't have to feel frustrated or guilty about doing that.
In fact, maybe it's good for you. This is your favorite show to watch over and over again for a reason. Maybe it makes you feel seen or understood. Maybe when you watch it, you look at the world around you a little differently. Maybe it just makes you happy. What's so wrong with that?