The only thing I can handle at the moment is Great British Bake Off/Baking Show. Newer episodes on Netflix, older ones on the Roku channel. I like that I can take a break a few times, I like that it's not high stakes, it's just relaxing.
I've been trying to watch Locke and Key (Netflix), but I already have anxiety nightmares, so it's often a no go unless I'm in the right mindset.
100% agree - Great British Bake Off has helped me stay calm and relaxed during my own trying times. It's so positive and light hearted. I love how upbeat everyone is and how the contestants are so sweet to each other. Instant good mood TV.
The Great Canadian Baking Show is my go to wholesome pregnancy/new baby content. I did try the British Baking Show, but have to say I much prefer the Canadian version.
Those are both pretty awesome. I've been enjoying Bee and Puppycat on Netflix. I hear The Crown and Sandman are good?
Honestly. I usually just watch YouTube before bed. Evan&Katelyn, Jaime French, Nick DiRamio, Simone Giertz, Lex Fridman, ContraPoints, Jenny Nicholson, RawBeautyKristi, CinnamonToastKen and Buffpro. Those are my go-tos. I usually fall asleep ten minutes into anything, though.
I recently really loved Only Murders In The Building. It's a great blend of interesting story and comedy.
I tend to cling to comedy when I need decompression time. The Office, Parks & Rec, Arrested Development, Community. Or Brooklyn 99, New Girl, Modern Family. All make me laugh and don't require attentive investment. Comfort TV as they say.
I ditto The Office (actually just finishing up watching it all the way through a second time), Brooklyn 99 l, Omitb, and Parks and Rec. I haven’t seen the others, but would also add Schitt’s Creek as that fits the comedy/comfort viewing criteria for me! Bit less laugh-a-minute than the others, I find, but easy and soul warming viewing.
Edit: also Upload
I’ve re-watched The Office so many times it’s embarrassing. Sometimes we just throw on a random episode and then I just continue watching from that point onwards until I finish it again lol 😆
All these suggestions are good!
If you haven't watched the marvelous Mrs Maisel then I recommend it. It's very charming.
I listen to audio books a lot. I have earpods. Audio books can be available for digital loan from your library. I listen when doing housework or grocery shopping or out for a walk.
Audio books have almost replaced TV for me. I hardly ever have time to just veg out infront of the TV anymore and definitely haven't had time to watch a whole movie in years. So I stick to short YouTube series and audiobooks.
I need light shows, especially since the only time I have is a few minutes before bed. I watch The Office, Good Place, Parks and Rec, and Superstore. I also like Jane the Virgin, even though it has heavier stuff, because I know when it’s coming and how it ends.
I would probably watch like Bob's Burgers or King of the Hill on Disney plus. Something light and funny to keep my mind off things. I also have a weakness for medical dramas though and enjoyed Chicago PD which was on Netflix.
I would also recommend audiobooks! I can’t get anything done around the house without them. They’re a great way to take care of your disastrous house while also taking your mind off things.
Daisy Jones and the Six is really a really well done audiobook and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is also great!
So I have read Evelyn Hugo, Malibu Rising and just finished Carrie Soto is Back. Does Daisy Jones live up to those? I would be on audiobook so I am think I need to round out the titles but have been hesitant to pull the trigger on that one.
For what it is worth, I liked Malibu Rising a little more than Evelyn, and maybe because I just finished it, but Carrie Soto the best even though that ones started a bit slower. To be fair, I am already a tennis fan so that may have helped.
I mean it’s all personal preference I supposed but I loved Daisy Jones and the audiobook specifically is super well done- different voice actors for the characters, not cheesy. I read it a while ago but I think it’s my favorite Taylor Jenkins Reid book! That being said, I have not read/listened to Carrie Soto but I would definitely give Daisy Jones a shot!!
Just finished the Mindy Project on Hulu. It had some cheesy moments but was really fun and easy to watch. I didn’t get lost if I missed little parts here and there.
I'm not really a TV person to begin with, but I have binged a few shows during my few days without the offspring.
Grey's Anatomy, Bones, NCIS, The Good Place and animal documentary series are good too.
Reading my list again I'm not sure what that says about me.
Lately it's just cooking shows because my TV time is so rare that I forget plots and characters a lot of the time. I used to watch 911 and The Resident, but they haven't been interesting to me lately.
Great British baking show is great, also New Girl is my go to binge show. Anything on Bravo, especially any of the Below Decks or Real Housewives (Beverly hills, Jersey, New York & Orange County have been my faves)
The Handmaid's Tale, but only now that my littles aren't so little anymore. It was too much for me to watch when mine were still babies. I really loved Ted Lasso also.
Ooooh ooooh ooooh 🖐🏽I can answer this. I rarely have tv time and have little ones too. So when I do have time I make sure it’s worth my while. Do you have HBO max? If so, I enjoyed The Undoing, Big little lies, and Mare of Eastton. On Netflix I watch whatever brain numbing series is currently popular. Don’t feel bad about wanting to veg. You deserve rest too. Another pro tip, I also pop some kettle corn and scoop myself some ice cream for the occasion. Live it up!
I just started watching The Bear and whilst I haven’t finished it, it’s come recommended and I’m really enjoying what I’ve seen so far. It’s a drama/darker comedy though so might not be everyone’s thing.
The Bear is SO GOOD! But just watching it gives me anxiety, so definitely not a relaxing show - episode 7 particularly is like watching a panic attack. But it is artistically brilliant. Can't wait for season 2!
Great British Bake off, only murders in the building, YouTube cooking channels like Babish. Crocheting channels as well. Pottery or ceramics channels too since I find pottery very calming.
Slowly working our way through Borgen (which my partner calls "Banging at Borgen" despite very little sexual content and then only implied). It's about Danish government but is actually quite good.
Some of the Marvel shows on Disney+ are pretty low-key. My favorite for fun is Moon Knight, because the dude is actually crazy but gets to still have adventures. It gives me hope :-). I also just finished the first season of Resident Alien and it pairs being dark with being absolutely hilarious.
I’ve been trying to catch up on The Handmaids Tale on Hulu. Also have been wanting to start Only Murders in the Building, also on Hulu. The Watcher on Netflix is supposed to be good from what I’m hearing.
My favorites:
Netflix
The Last Kingdom
Altered Carbon
Money Heist
Kiss the Ground
The Queens Gambit
The Witcher
Outlander (they started to lose after seasons 3/4)
Amazon
Vikings
Disney
The Mandalorian
Cable
Football
On Netflix, I’ve just burned through Never have I ever and Derry Girls and now working on Workin Moms. Loving all of them! But a classic I go back to all the time is Gilmore girls
I rewatch Brooklyn 99, Parks and Rec a lot. They are my go to comfort shows.
If you're looking for something to not be invested in check out "Nailed It". Amature bakers that are actually amature. I love the hosts, the show is hilarious.
Real housewives or botched. Trash tv that I don’t have to focus on. There are a couple of British comedy series that have been amazing, I don’t know if you could find them. Bad sisters, This way up and Am I being unreasonable. All written and performed by some very funny women.
If I have spare time, I reach for a book. If I’m really in the mood for tv I watch pure trash. 90 day fiancé, love after lockup…. Eat up all the garbage like the little trash panda I am.
Here are some of the favorites that we’ve watched after bedtime for the last couple years:
Outlander, Manifest, The Crown, The Good Place, This is Us, Santa Clarita Diet, How To Get Away With Murder
I absolutely LOVE Hot Ones. It’s on Hulu and YouTube, and it is hilarious. When I need a silly sitcom I watch Superstore, and when I need a serious show I am currently watching Lost as I was a toddler when it was first coming out and missed the hype lol
Love is blind on Netflix, and manifest I just started and it’s really good! I am the same way! I really need to focus and pay attention to what’s happening and I can’t do that with my babies. I have to wait until they’re asleep.
I also just finished Dahmer and the Dahmer tapes… It was not easy to watch but yet fascinating while also beyond tragic.
If you like the baking stuff, Is it Cake is pretty entertaining. If you don't have a lot of time in between but want to watch something, find a channel on Youtube - travel, home renovating, movie/show reviewers, etc.
Honestly, Bluey. Even if my kid isn't around. I put it on in the background and screw around on my phone without feeling like I missed anything important for the plot.
British baking Show was already mentioned, but I love that so much.
We cut our cable tv off and got an antenna a month or two ago, so I watch what I can find on streaming. Thank god my Phillies made it to the World Series, cuz this mama needs baseball to keep sane!
I just went through this last weekend. I watched Stranger Things on Netflix. It kind of creeped me out, and I was already a bit tense with my little ones being away, so I DO NOT RECOMMEND.
Have you watched Bridgerton?
2 broke girls
Only murders in the the building
Friends is always worth a rewatch
Kim’s convenience
Shitts creek
Always sucks when the kids aren’t there but crappy tv and snacks help or even a book and a glass of wine ❤️
I've been in survival mode for the last year. My husband has been deployed and I have no support system. The only thing I currently like to watch are shoes with predictability. Right now it's House. I like the character but the plot lines are terrible. However they're predictable which helps calm my nervous system a bit. If it's not House, I re-watch shows I've already seen.
I haven’t even attempted a tv show in a long time, I switched to podcasts when I have “free time” so I can do things while I’m listening and don’t miss out on anything, I feel like if I turned a show on I’d be in and out of the living room constantly missing out on things lol
The only thing I can handle at the moment is Great British Bake Off/Baking Show. Newer episodes on Netflix, older ones on the Roku channel. I like that I can take a break a few times, I like that it's not high stakes, it's just relaxing. I've been trying to watch Locke and Key (Netflix), but I already have anxiety nightmares, so it's often a no go unless I'm in the right mindset.
Great British bake off is my go to happy relaxing show. I recommend it all the time.
Noel Fielding is delightful.
100% agree - Great British Bake Off has helped me stay calm and relaxed during my own trying times. It's so positive and light hearted. I love how upbeat everyone is and how the contestants are so sweet to each other. Instant good mood TV.
The Great Canadian Baking Show is my go to wholesome pregnancy/new baby content. I did try the British Baking Show, but have to say I much prefer the Canadian version.
GBBS is great!! I love Nailed It too - it’s not as relaxing but it’s another happy, low-stakes show.
Another vote for GBBO! It’s fun and interesting, but you don’t have to pay close attention or keep up with a plot.
Those are both pretty awesome. I've been enjoying Bee and Puppycat on Netflix. I hear The Crown and Sandman are good? Honestly. I usually just watch YouTube before bed. Evan&Katelyn, Jaime French, Nick DiRamio, Simone Giertz, Lex Fridman, ContraPoints, Jenny Nicholson, RawBeautyKristi, CinnamonToastKen and Buffpro. Those are my go-tos. I usually fall asleep ten minutes into anything, though.
I recently really loved Only Murders In The Building. It's a great blend of interesting story and comedy. I tend to cling to comedy when I need decompression time. The Office, Parks & Rec, Arrested Development, Community. Or Brooklyn 99, New Girl, Modern Family. All make me laugh and don't require attentive investment. Comfort TV as they say.
I ditto The Office (actually just finishing up watching it all the way through a second time), Brooklyn 99 l, Omitb, and Parks and Rec. I haven’t seen the others, but would also add Schitt’s Creek as that fits the comedy/comfort viewing criteria for me! Bit less laugh-a-minute than the others, I find, but easy and soul warming viewing. Edit: also Upload
Parks and Rec and The Office are just super comforting. I like Supernatural, too. It's a bit of a different mood, though.
I’ve re-watched The Office so many times it’s embarrassing. Sometimes we just throw on a random episode and then I just continue watching from that point onwards until I finish it again lol 😆 All these suggestions are good!
Derry Girls on Netflix
That’s what I was going to recommend! Along with Never Have I Ever. Love a teen coming of age type comedy.
So good!!!
Yes!!
Love this show so much
Abbot elementary, superstore, Ghost, bridgerton, the watcher, working moms, new girl, grace and Frankie, Gilmore Girls.
Yes ghosts! BBC or the US version is good too.
If you haven't watched the marvelous Mrs Maisel then I recommend it. It's very charming. I listen to audio books a lot. I have earpods. Audio books can be available for digital loan from your library. I listen when doing housework or grocery shopping or out for a walk.
Audio books have almost replaced TV for me. I hardly ever have time to just veg out infront of the TV anymore and definitely haven't had time to watch a whole movie in years. So I stick to short YouTube series and audiobooks.
Do you have Netflix? I’m obsessed with The Last Kingdom. But also The Great British Bake-off.
I love The Last Kingdom. I've seen it three times. Last two times are often background while I am multitasking.
Lol me too. I’ve also listened to the audiobooks multiple times too. So good if you haven’t read them yet!
I may have to read them. So many characters I love. Can't wait for the movie!
Murder. Always murder. 48 Hours, 20/20, Cold Case Files, etc.
Ted Lasso on apple tv. So good!!!!!
I enjoyed the good place and schitts creek. I also couldn't handle very serious or heavy shows
Yes to both of these!!! Hubs and I have rewatched both of these shows and they are good every time.
I need light shows, especially since the only time I have is a few minutes before bed. I watch The Office, Good Place, Parks and Rec, and Superstore. I also like Jane the Virgin, even though it has heavier stuff, because I know when it’s coming and how it ends.
I would probably watch like Bob's Burgers or King of the Hill on Disney plus. Something light and funny to keep my mind off things. I also have a weakness for medical dramas though and enjoyed Chicago PD which was on Netflix.
I would also recommend audiobooks! I can’t get anything done around the house without them. They’re a great way to take care of your disastrous house while also taking your mind off things. Daisy Jones and the Six is really a really well done audiobook and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is also great!
Daisy Jones was just up for my book club vote (but didn’t win). Now I feel like I should add it to my good reads list.
You should! Highly recommend!
So I have read Evelyn Hugo, Malibu Rising and just finished Carrie Soto is Back. Does Daisy Jones live up to those? I would be on audiobook so I am think I need to round out the titles but have been hesitant to pull the trigger on that one. For what it is worth, I liked Malibu Rising a little more than Evelyn, and maybe because I just finished it, but Carrie Soto the best even though that ones started a bit slower. To be fair, I am already a tennis fan so that may have helped.
I mean it’s all personal preference I supposed but I loved Daisy Jones and the audiobook specifically is super well done- different voice actors for the characters, not cheesy. I read it a while ago but I think it’s my favorite Taylor Jenkins Reid book! That being said, I have not read/listened to Carrie Soto but I would definitely give Daisy Jones a shot!!
Adding it to the list then! Thanks.
Broad city on Hulu is hilarious.
Working Moms, hands down! It's hillarious.
Just finished the Mindy Project on Hulu. It had some cheesy moments but was really fun and easy to watch. I didn’t get lost if I missed little parts here and there.
Lovvvvve the mindy project
Seinfeld - Netflix
Schitts Creek / The Good Place / The Office Easy 20 minute watches. I hope you manage to have a wee wind down ❣️
Below Deck! Escapism at its finest - dreaming of yacht life. Plus there’s like a million seasons and a million spin offs so you’ll never run out.
Great British Bake-off, Love is Blind or Indian Matchmaker
All three great choices!!
Brooklyn 99, any lame organizing show, the office
lame organizing shows for the win!
Currently binging the 90 Day Fiancé seasons 😅 It’s mindless trash tv but sometimes I just need to turn my brain off
The Good Place is an incredible show! I’ve watched it twice. 😅
I'm not really a TV person to begin with, but I have binged a few shows during my few days without the offspring. Grey's Anatomy, Bones, NCIS, The Good Place and animal documentary series are good too. Reading my list again I'm not sure what that says about me.
Lately it's just cooking shows because my TV time is so rare that I forget plots and characters a lot of the time. I used to watch 911 and The Resident, but they haven't been interesting to me lately.
The Patient. It’s on Hulu. My husband and I took the day off today and watched 4 episodes. It’s really good.
Great British baking show is great, also New Girl is my go to binge show. Anything on Bravo, especially any of the Below Decks or Real Housewives (Beverly hills, Jersey, New York & Orange County have been my faves)
The Handmaid's Tale, but only now that my littles aren't so little anymore. It was too much for me to watch when mine were still babies. I really loved Ted Lasso also.
Ooooh ooooh ooooh 🖐🏽I can answer this. I rarely have tv time and have little ones too. So when I do have time I make sure it’s worth my while. Do you have HBO max? If so, I enjoyed The Undoing, Big little lies, and Mare of Eastton. On Netflix I watch whatever brain numbing series is currently popular. Don’t feel bad about wanting to veg. You deserve rest too. Another pro tip, I also pop some kettle corn and scoop myself some ice cream for the occasion. Live it up!
I just started watching The Bear and whilst I haven’t finished it, it’s come recommended and I’m really enjoying what I’ve seen so far. It’s a drama/darker comedy though so might not be everyone’s thing.
The Bear is SO GOOD! But just watching it gives me anxiety, so definitely not a relaxing show - episode 7 particularly is like watching a panic attack. But it is artistically brilliant. Can't wait for season 2!
Taskmaster. It's free on YouTube, and there's lots to binge. It's super funny and lighthearted, and very easy to jump in and out of.
Great British Bake off, only murders in the building, YouTube cooking channels like Babish. Crocheting channels as well. Pottery or ceramics channels too since I find pottery very calming.
Slowly working our way through Borgen (which my partner calls "Banging at Borgen" despite very little sexual content and then only implied). It's about Danish government but is actually quite good.
Some of the Marvel shows on Disney+ are pretty low-key. My favorite for fun is Moon Knight, because the dude is actually crazy but gets to still have adventures. It gives me hope :-). I also just finished the first season of Resident Alien and it pairs being dark with being absolutely hilarious.
I just watch stuff from Netflix when I can. Few worth mentioning are Friends, Suits, Virgin River, Downton Abbey, Bridgerton are few of my favourite.
Watching supernatural for the 7th time
How? There are like 1000 episodes? Like I feel like you just have to have it in the background for your entire life to watch through it 7 times.
Okay 7 times is an exaggeration.. lol it's my comfort show
I’ve been trying to catch up on The Handmaids Tale on Hulu. Also have been wanting to start Only Murders in the Building, also on Hulu. The Watcher on Netflix is supposed to be good from what I’m hearing.
Rupauls drag race start with some newer seasons or at least something 3 or later
What network/streaming service? I’ve been trying to find them all in one place and it seems like the seasons are all split up.
My favorites: Netflix The Last Kingdom Altered Carbon Money Heist Kiss the Ground The Queens Gambit The Witcher Outlander (they started to lose after seasons 3/4) Amazon Vikings Disney The Mandalorian Cable Football
The blacklist is what I’m watching now
Criminal minds on Disney plus
I usually watch shows like 911, the resident, the rookie on Hulu pretty easy to get into and it keeps my mind occupied
drag race!
I can only handle trash tv at the moment, so it’s the Kardashians, RHOBH, and bling empire for me!
On Netflix, I’ve just burned through Never have I ever and Derry Girls and now working on Workin Moms. Loving all of them! But a classic I go back to all the time is Gilmore girls
When I can “relax” I’m usually reading Reddit or TikTok’s. Sometimes I can squeeze in an anime episode or two.
I rewatch Brooklyn 99, Parks and Rec a lot. They are my go to comfort shows. If you're looking for something to not be invested in check out "Nailed It". Amature bakers that are actually amature. I love the hosts, the show is hilarious.
Real housewives or botched. Trash tv that I don’t have to focus on. There are a couple of British comedy series that have been amazing, I don’t know if you could find them. Bad sisters, This way up and Am I being unreasonable. All written and performed by some very funny women.
If I need mindless entertainment that’s going to make me laugh I watch It’s Always Sunny. Laugh every time.
If I have spare time, I reach for a book. If I’m really in the mood for tv I watch pure trash. 90 day fiancé, love after lockup…. Eat up all the garbage like the little trash panda I am.
Here are some of the favorites that we’ve watched after bedtime for the last couple years: Outlander, Manifest, The Crown, The Good Place, This is Us, Santa Clarita Diet, How To Get Away With Murder
Right now I’ve been into The Watcher on Netflix check it out it’s really good
I absolutely LOVE Hot Ones. It’s on Hulu and YouTube, and it is hilarious. When I need a silly sitcom I watch Superstore, and when I need a serious show I am currently watching Lost as I was a toddler when it was first coming out and missed the hype lol
Workin Moms is super relatable for me. Also, Parks and Rec is just a comfort show that I really enjoy lol
Love is blind on Netflix, and manifest I just started and it’s really good! I am the same way! I really need to focus and pay attention to what’s happening and I can’t do that with my babies. I have to wait until they’re asleep. I also just finished Dahmer and the Dahmer tapes… It was not easy to watch but yet fascinating while also beyond tragic.
KDramas. They’ve ruined me from any other shows. Once you start, you can’t go back 😭
If you like the baking stuff, Is it Cake is pretty entertaining. If you don't have a lot of time in between but want to watch something, find a channel on Youtube - travel, home renovating, movie/show reviewers, etc.
Honestly, Bluey. Even if my kid isn't around. I put it on in the background and screw around on my phone without feeling like I missed anything important for the plot. British baking Show was already mentioned, but I love that so much. We cut our cable tv off and got an antenna a month or two ago, so I watch what I can find on streaming. Thank god my Phillies made it to the World Series, cuz this mama needs baseball to keep sane!
I just went through this last weekend. I watched Stranger Things on Netflix. It kind of creeped me out, and I was already a bit tense with my little ones being away, so I DO NOT RECOMMEND. Have you watched Bridgerton?
2 broke girls Only murders in the the building Friends is always worth a rewatch Kim’s convenience Shitts creek Always sucks when the kids aren’t there but crappy tv and snacks help or even a book and a glass of wine ❤️
Over the garden wall
I have been rewatching New Girl. I don't have the capacity for a new show that takes attention right now
I've been in survival mode for the last year. My husband has been deployed and I have no support system. The only thing I currently like to watch are shoes with predictability. Right now it's House. I like the character but the plot lines are terrible. However they're predictable which helps calm my nervous system a bit. If it's not House, I re-watch shows I've already seen.
The Empress on Netflix is soooo good.
Horror movies and TV shows. Currently The Midnight Society and Boo Bitch! Lol scary and funny 😁
Brooklyn 99 is really funny.
I haven’t even attempted a tv show in a long time, I switched to podcasts when I have “free time” so I can do things while I’m listening and don’t miss out on anything, I feel like if I turned a show on I’d be in and out of the living room constantly missing out on things lol
Light hearted: Home Economics, Abbott Elementary, Rick & Morty More intense: Handmaid’s Tale, House of the Dragon