I get it. Sometimes you just want to watch something that doesn’t ask anything of you. That’s totally okay—and also not the whole story. But you deserve better stories, too.
Let me start by saying this: I’m not here to shame you for rewatching The Big Bang Theory for the seventh time or putting on reality TV while you fold laundry. We all have those shows that feel like a warm hug after a brutal day. They’re reliable, familiar, and they don’t demand anything from our already-exhausted brains.
I have those shows too. We all do.
But here’s what I’ve learned, and what I think you might discover if you’re willing to try: there’s a whole world of stories out there that can give you something your comfort shows simply can’t. And honestly? You deserve to experience that.
It’s Not About Being “Better Than” Anyone – Why You Deserve Better Stories
When I talk about “better” shows, I’m not talking about some pretentious hierarchy where you have to suddenly love documentaries about 15th-century pottery to be worthy of respect. I’m talking about shows that were made with genuine care—stories that have something real to say and take the time to say it well.
These are the shows that trust you to keep up. That doesn’t insult your intelligence with lazy writing or cheap emotional manipulation. Remember you’re a full human being with a complex inner life, not just a set of eyeballs to capture for advertisers.
And look, I understand if that sounds intimidating. Sometimes we’re so used to being talked down to by our entertainment that the idea of being challenged feels like work. But here’s the thing: it’s not work. It’s actually a gift.
What Happens When Stories Actually Try – Why You Deserve Better Stories
The first time you watch a show that genuinely respects your intelligence, something shifts. You remember what it feels like to be surprised by a plot twist that actually makes sense. To see a character make a choice that’s complicated and real instead of just convenient for the story. To finish an episode and find yourself sitting there for a moment, thinking.
Really thinking.
These shows don’t just fill time—they expand it. They make you feel like the hour you just spent actually mattered. Like you learned something about people, or life, or yourself that you didn’t know before.
And once you’ve had that experience, it becomes harder to settle for shows that are just… empty calories for your brain.
You’re Already Smarter Than You Think – Why You Deserve Better Stories
Here’s what I’ve noticed: people often underestimate themselves when it comes to “prestige” TV or critically acclaimed shows. They assume they won’t “get it” or that it’ll be boring or too difficult to follow.
But you’re already navigating complex relationships, making difficult decisions, and dealing with moral ambiguity every single day of your life. You understand nuance. You appreciate subtlety. You’re capable of following intricate plots and connecting with flawed characters.
The only difference is that better shows actually acknowledge this about you.
It’s Okay to Start Small – Why You Deserve Better Stories
You don’t have to jump straight into the deep end. Maybe start with something that’s just one step outside your usual comfort zone. If you love workplace comedies, try one that has a little more heart and complexity. If you’re into crime shows, find one that cares as much about the characters as it does about the mysteries.
The goal isn’t to completely overhaul your viewing habits overnight. It’s to gradually expand your palate, the same way you might with food or music or books.
What You’re Really Choosing – Why You Deserve Better Stories
Every time you hit “play” on something, you’re making a choice about how to spend your time and attention. And time is the only resource you can’t get back.
I’m not saying every show needs to be a masterpiece of human storytelling. But I am saying that you deserve to have at least some of your entertainment actually enrich your life instead of just passing the time.
You deserve stories that make you feel more connected to the world, not less. That help you understand people better, including yourself. That remind you why humans have been telling each other stories around fires since the beginning of time.
The Honest Truth
Here’s what I really want you to know: you’re not betraying your comfort shows by occasionally watching something more substantial. You’re not being disloyal to your favorite guilty pleasure by admitting it’s not particularly well-made.
What you’re doing is giving yourself permission to want more. To expect more. To believe that you deserve stories that see you as a full human being worthy of depth and complexity and truth.
And once you start believing that about your entertainment choices, it’s amazing how that belief starts to spread to other areas of your life.
You don’t have to change everything at once. You don’t have to become a TV critic or start a podcast about prestige television. You just have to be willing to try something that might surprise you.
Because the stories that change us are almost always the ones we didn’t expect to love.
Your comfort shows will still be there when you need them. But there’s a whole world of stories waiting to meet you where you are and take you somewhere new.
And honestly? You’re worth that journey.
Read More:
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