As Spring comes to an end so do all the shows we have cherished and obsessed over. The characters you have grown addicted to, and the days you’ve cancelled plans to make it home in time to hear that familiar theme song are reaching their hiatus, and with some shows going off the air for good it’s time to pick your life up again and maybe find a new hobby.
It can be hard to move on after you’ve dedicated your time to these shows, and because spring shows are ending with cliff hangers, plot twists, and character deaths to insure their viewers return to see how they plan to resolve all the conflicts, you may find yourself entering a state called “the void”. It’s what every fanperson reaches when their show ends or goes on hiatus. The symptoms for “the void” are commonly identified as confusion, sadness (maybe some tears), lack of motivation to do anything, show withdrawal, and frequently lying on the floor/groaning because you don’t know what to do with your life and having no aspiration to be productive.
It can be hard to beat “the void”; but here are some of my tips for moving on with your life:
1. Be in the know:
There is nothing worse than not knowing it’s a finale when you watch your show and finding out you have to wait till winter or even next spring for it to start up again. Know when it ends and starts up again so you can prepare for both, and all the extra free time you will have. You can see what shows are having their finales or ending here.
2. Find a hobby:
That sounds harsh, but if all you have or do in your free time is watch all the spring shows that are ending you are going to be bored. Read a book, make something, paint, learn some phrases in a new language, go on a hike, ride your bike on a trail, go to a lake or the pool, etc. There is so many things you can do, the possibilities are endless. If old habits die hard for you and you can’t pull yourself away from the T.V., find a new show or check out the summer shows about to premiere and enjoy. True blood’s last season should be entertaining.
3. Study for finals:
Finals are coming up as the school year reaches it’s close, so if you find yourself with nothing to do, crack open a book and get to studying. Acing a test never hurt anyone, and I’m sure it will help rid you of some of the extra time you have.
4. Make plans with people:
Call up old friends you haven’t seen in forever and go see that movie you’ve been wanting to see. Experiencing guilt from going a few weeks or months without visiting family members? Well that’s easily fixed by making plans to go out to a restaurant and eat, or going out to see them. Also try marking things off your bucket list, or doing that thing you’ve always wanted to do but have been making excuses about. You have the time, now find the resources and experience it.
5. Read the books:
If you are lucky enough to watch a show that was a series prior(or currently or after), or based off a book, and you can’t wait for the new season, pick up the books and solve the cliff hangers and plot twists out for yourself. If you aren’t a fan or reading you can try to go outside. The sun and outdoor exposure may be a little much for those who prefer/have adapted to the soft light of a T.V. screen, but it’s quite nice when you get used to it. If not you can try and pick up Grimm fairy tales, or the Game of Thrones series at your local book stores.
6. Find new obsessions:
Still reluctant or hung up on the fact How I Met Your Mother ended? It’s hard to let go, but distraction/moving on is probably the best advice I can give if you don’t want to enter “the void”, or you want to escape it. New music and bands are great obsession you can invest yourself in. Concerts are fun, and new music is constantly getting released. Also authors, or artists can be a great escape to spending hours binge watching movies that actor or actress you’re obsessed with. You can also try your hand at writing or painting and find you’re obsessed with painting watercolor landscapes or something.
7. Eat your feelings:
Nothing makes you feel better about that character death like a nice bowl of your favorite ice cream. Of course this option is not for the weak of heart. The skill of eating your feelings comes from being emotionally attached to one too many shows. It’s also unhealthy and not the best option but it will soothe the wounds Once Upon a Time left after Neal’s death.
Remember a show ending or reaching it’s finale is not the end of the world. Mark your calendar and take deep breaths, it will return soon enough. If you do enter “the void” make sure to warn your friends and family prior. Victims of ‘the void’ can scare those who don’t know or understand, and when you burst out in tears cause Cristina Yang left, you need a friend who can calm you down.
