After binge-watching Teen Wolf (for the 3rd time), Haven, and Witches of East End (for the 2nd time) and reading 2 of my favorite books again (I always re-read) I found that I wasn't getting the same enjoyment that I used to.
Going with the theory that this was happening because I was re-reading and re-watching, I ordered up a new book from one of my favorite author's and started reading it.
Nothing.
I'm five chapters in and could hardly tell you what it's about. Not because it's a bad book, but because I am suffering from a total emotional disconnect from reading and TV watching. I have recently had "too many feels," and it looks like my brain needs to take the time to reabsorb all of the dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, and even oxytocin that goes into a good session of Teen Wolf or book reading (yes, I ride very fun emotional roller coasters when I'm at the top of my game).
I'm not depressed, unless it is possible to be depressed in only a very limited, TV-and-book-related way, but I am worried about how long it will take to "recover" from this OD.
So I'm not sure what I will be doing the next couple of days. I'll spend more time outdoors (if the weather stays clear) and deep-clean my apartment. Maybe go shopping or explore more of the city. And hopefully, when all of those feel-good chemicals are back, I'll be able to write without feeling crushing disappointment, because it looks like if I can't enjoy books, I can't enjoy writing them either.
If you've gone through something like this and have advice on how to recover from this entertainment OD, I'd love to hear about it.
Until then, I'm going to bed early tonight since there is no TV or book to keep me up until the wee hours of the morning.
PSA: I wrote this blog with a somewhat humorous intent. Although I really do feel this way, I am sure that it is nothing a couple of days TV-and-book-less won't cure. However, if you believe you are suffering from real depression, please seek help. Being unable to enjoy a good book, while unfortunate, is not really a problem. If you are unable to enjoy other daily activities, feel disconnected from real-life people, or suffer from other signs of depression, please talk to someone.