Married at First Sight Australia helped me get through the week
The joy of the not so guilty pleasure
Photo by Jeremy Wong Weddings on Unsplash
When the world stopped and uncertainty crept into the minutes and hours of our everyday people looked for comfort wherever they could get it. They looked for the familiar and the entertaining, something that would wrap them up and shelter them from the seriousness of the world. They looked for something they could escape to and lose themselves in for an hour or two, maybe more. Something to make them feel better or make them feel nothing at all. A world to immerse themselves in where the stakes were much lower than their current reality, that didn’t demand anything, and in that moment they were free.
Like another chapter in a dystopian novel, this week the news filled with the terrible reality of human aggression and suffering. My heart breaking for the innocent people of Ukraine, tears stream down my face in the morning and the evening. They can’t turn away so why should we, but caring for ourselves in times like these is important, to balance the cruel with the kind and give ourselves the occasional break.
For many people across the world during the pandemic this escapism became essential to their wellbeing practice, until it wasn’t even considered a guilty pleasure anymore. Conversations in Zoom meetings revolved around the relationship between Carol Baskin and Joe Exotic, a colleague even showing up to a Zoom quiz in a mullet wig and moustache. No guilt there, just pure escapism and enjoyment.
This week, in the midst of chaos, I have reached for the warm embrace of Married at First Sight Australia and have no regrets. Watching Aussies marry a complete stranger and then navigate the trials and tribulations of married life is many hours well spent and I mean many, there are usually 30 episodes per season making it around a 30 hour commitment. As the clock counts down to another episode I feel calmer than before and mentally well-rested and if an hour spent watching couples either fall in love or fight ferociously can give me that kind of peace I’m taking it.
When I’m feeling at peace and like all is well with the world I crave a balance. I'm able to give my attention to both the serious and the sublimely silly. The complex narrative or quick quips that need a sharp mind to navigate like Succession, I can stomach the morbid storylines of a unique crime drama. But sometimes when it all feels too much I would much rather be consumed by the bitchiness of Selling Sunset, immersed in their world of sky high heels and perfect blow drys. I can spend my daily walks listening to Podcasts interviewing people much smarter and more accomplished than I am, all the while feeling like a well rounded human dedicated to the excellence of becoming better, one inspirational podcast at a time. But on another day I can also relish the recounting of One Tree Hill storylines in the Drama Queens Podcast, remembering a simpler time.
I’m also not going to pretend I only read literary fiction and self help in a bid to improve myself or expand my intellectual capacity. If I read a heavy hitting book that deals with a lot of incredibly important themes, I need to balance it out with something a little lighter, often not compromised in quality of the writing but more palatable. Affectionately referred to as ‘Chick Lit’ which I think marginalises great writers like Marian Keyes and Jane Green, who both give us many hours of joyful escape.
So how does it work? There is a school of thought that suggests it’s the guilt factor that makes consuming media thought of as trashy all the more rewarding. That might have been true in the past but I think the past 2 years living in a world where we don’t know what each day will bring has removed guilt from a lot of things. These shows give us both a false sense of connection as we know the seemingly intimate details of their lives or a real connection as we root for them to find love, sell that multi million dollar listing or pursue their dreams. Ultimately, as we get to know them, we see them going through the same struggles as we go through in our own lives, only in more luxurious settings. It’s no accident a majority of these shows film in locations where the sun shines almost year round.
If you feel overwhelmed and in need of a break this week, reach for the comfort of your favourite book, film or join me in another episode of MAFSA you will always be in good company.
My not so guilty pleasures if you need a bit of escapism this week..
Married at First Sight Australia obviously (More 4 in the UK)
Selling Sunset (Netflix) - If you haven’t found this one yet there re 4 seasons so you’re in for a treat
My Unorthodox Life (Netflix)
The Hills New Beginnings (Now TV) if you loved The Hills in the 00’s they’re back!
Million Dollar Listing (Prime)
I’d love to hear some of yours, share in the comments below:
Things I’m curious about this week…
I have followed Emma Gannon, subscribed to her newsletters, listened to her Podcasts and reads her books and now she’s on substack! If you haven’t found Emma yet check out her post this week on success. I often find myself nodding enthusiastically when I read and listen to Emma’s words and this is no exception.
This week I’ve been reading the final chapters of The Passenger by Ulrich Alexander Boschwitz (translated by Philip Boehm). A novel set in Germany in November 1938 at the dawning of Hitlers Germany. This novel was lost
You can read my review and a more in-depth run down here: The Passenger - Good Reads