“Those who are the hardest to love need it the most.” – Julie Piatt
First off, I’m a sucker for a feel-good Netflix series, especially when the world seems just “too much.” Be it too much stress, too much work, or too much news.
As a “keepin’ it” real kind of Wellness Coach, I think the odd Netflix binge is acceptable as long as you are consciously doing it and it isn’t interfering with the rest of your wellness practices—i.e., you are still sleeping well, exercising, and eating your veggies. Like anything, really, in moderation, it is all good for most to partake.
I opt more for feel-good shows like Queer Eye (heartwarming + funny!) and Home Edit (a bit of luxury living porn with a dash of clearing the clutter zen). Who doesn’t love a good makeover bite? Soooooooooo satisfying.
Once in a while, a good love story series comes along that pulls me in. I’m a sucker for young love, and the more I think about it, the more it makes sense as a part of my life I often wish I could do over without alcohol at the forefront. I was lucky; my sacred firsts, like my first kiss and losing my virginity, were done fully sober – but from there on out, there were so many decisions made in a blur of alcohol that my memories were sparse. That “liquid courage” often had me acting only with an immediate gratification lens and missing all the more profound, quieter, delayed gratification opportunities.
Some of my favorites are The Royals (a profound modern coming of age, Romeo & Juliet twist), Heartstopper (a bright, high school love story between two boys based on an epic manga series), and Emily Does Paris (I know, I know, she couldn’t afford that flat or those clothes with her job…but it is so fun!). To me, it is about escape, and these days, I am conscious that I want to escape somewhere good, not somewhere crime-ridden or apocalyptic.
Netflix “One Day” Trailer
Netflix’s ‘One Day’ Review
This weekend, I watched One Day. Each of the 14 episodes is a moment in time in the relationship between Dexter and Emma. They meet at their university graduation dance, hearts collide, and they are forever woven together but rarely in the right phase at the right time to get together.
Alcohol is ever-present throughout. It sneaks up on you that this is a tale of alcoholism, of using and lost opportunities.
Several themes I found relatable, such as that one friend you had who might have become more than a friend if the stars aligned differently. Another was the notion of how normalized it is that alcohol and drug use are a part of your twenties. For most, it seems like a flash point, maybe just a few heavy partying summers or years. Those years can turn into decades for others like Dexter and myself.
In the midst of it, you are so in it you can’t see another way. Your self-awareness is extremely low, and you strategically surround yourself with party people to feel even more normal. By now, you have consistent bad behavior, mishaps, missed opportunities, and deep-rooted shame you desire to numb.
Another thing that struck me about this series, without giving anything away, is how we tend to return to old ways of self-medicating if we don’t find a new purpose or habit. We need to find a new community to validate that we are okay, that we are worth forgiving, and that life is all about second, third, and fourth chances. It is never too late to start over.
This delightful little series also touches on classism. Being a “fancy drunk” is no longer fancy. Drunk never looks good—even when you pick up the tab or become semi-famous.
Finally, seeing how disconnected those around him were in the darkest moments was so deeply sad because that is often how we are. As Dexter spirals, we not only see how lonely alcoholism really is but how much lonelier it becomes when everyone avoids pities and focuses on ‘cleaning you up’ instead of holding you tight. Sometimes, out of self-preservation, frustration, or broken promises, we are not always excellent at reaching out and offering a hug when that is really what is needed. I remember that it is rarely straightforward, but we need to humanize the messiness and see through the bad behavior if possible.
When we are willing to truly witness, be present, and hold someone in their pain without judgment, it is one of the most powerful things we can do for our loved ones and for humanity.
So, here’s to healing the planet one human at a time and enjoying the odd Netflix binge to remember how far we have come. Not that it is about comparing our journey to another, but when we allow ourselves to revisit our past with a lighter, more present heart, we can start to feel the full spectrum of human emotions and recognize how good it is to be fully sober and alive for it all.
The Mindful Binge Sobees Score: 4 out of 5
One Day Bloopers Reel!
SOBER ENTERTAINMENT: The 35+ Best TV Shows Featuring Addiction + Recovery (thesobercurator.com)
THE MINDFUL BINGE: It’s ok to indulge in a good TV series binge occasionally, as long as you do so mindfully. This section of the site explores TV series that feature addiction, recovery, and mental illness as one of the main storylines.
Are movies more your thing? We get it. Sometimes, you need to escape for 2 hours without the commitment of an entire TV series. MOVIE NIGHT WITH THE SOBER CURATOR has your back!
If you need ideas on what to sip on while you get in that screen time, check out our HAPPY EVERY HOUR section for a complete curated list of non-alcoholic beverage options.
