Comfort Shows & Comforting Thoughts

Written By : Grace Weidnhamer

My current comfort show is Gilmore Girls because it’s just that time of year. In an age where you can watch anything about anything, it’s comforting to watch normal people in their small town, living normal lives, and having normal interactions.

When I spend a lot of time online I start comparing my life to others. Why isn’t my life more exciting? Why can’t I travel more? Why doesn’t my job look like that?

The thing I appreciate about comfort shows like Gilmore Girls, is that it proves life can happen alongside the mundane. Rory still goes to school. Lorelai still works six days at the inn. They study, go to family dinners, study some more, sit at the same cafe every, and somewhere in between all of that, they experience life, and for some reason, we watch it!

I know it’s just a show, but I think what we perceive our lives to be is based on what we consume - what we tell ourselves is “normal.” If I watched Gossip Girl every day, I’d start wondering why I never moved to the big city to attend galas and shop on 5th ave.

The same goes with social media. If I spend my time watching influencers who fill their mornings with matcha runs and pilates classes and spend the day creating aesthetic content, I’m going to envy them more and more. I’m going to look at my own life through a negative lens.

That’s not to say I don’t want a life like that. If that lifestyle is a goal, then I know what to work towards, but it doesn’t mean neglecting the life I have right now. Just because something isn’t ideal, doesn’t mean you can’t find ways to enjoy it.

Instead of chasing the next thing, try finding contentment in where you are right now. We spend so much time dreaming of what’s next, that we forget it’s okay to be comfortable and at peace right now.