Binging: Expectation Vs. Reality

Expectation: Prior to my first assigned binge my thoughts were along the following lines.

Well I don’t normally watch eight hours of television a day, but that doesn’t mean I won’t enjoy it! The TV show Orphan Black seems like it really has the potential to get me engrossed.  It has a supernatural diegesis, interesting characters, suspense and mystery, all the makings for a great binging show!  Binging on this TV show will be as easy as cake… and fun too!

Reality: After starting to binge, my thoughts changed just a little….

Day 1:

My first day of binging was pretty great! I have become very invested in the show Orphan Black and am eager to continue watching it tomorrow.  The evolution of the characters has continued to captivate me and the suspenseful revelation of the story keeps me wanting to watch more.  

Day 2:

Wow. I just barely survived today’s binging, and my brain feels like a pile of mashed potatoes. Seriously. Potatoes. Mashed up. I don’t know how people ever watch this much TV for consecutive days.  Why did I think this would be fun and easy? My friends would hate me for saying this but honestly I’d rather have an essay to write than watch more TV right now. But I’m done… until tomorrow. Oh God, how can I do this again?

Day 3:

No more TV. I’ll do anything else. 

As one can see from the thoughts I have shared here, the reality of my binging experience was drastically different from what I expected.  When I finally had a day free from binging I found it to be not only a desired break but also a needed break. I mentally felt like I needed social interactions (beyond watching TV with my group) and to engage in activities besides sitting in front of a TV screen.