I hate myself.
Well, not really. I am disappointed…to say the least.
Every time I go to Netflix, I tell myself to watch a new show.
Instead, I go on autopilot and select The Office. Every. Single. Time.
I’ve watched The Office so much my level of infatuation has reached a new level. I have OOS: Office Obsession Syndrome.
If you think you have OOS check out these symptoms:
- Analyze each scene to see how it relates to your life
- You don’t cringe at Michael Scott’s awkward moments, your reenact them
- You have a crush on David Wallace (love a man in charge)
- You don’t think Angela is bitter. She’s “misunderstood”
- You’ve put a stapler in Jello
- You’ve yelled “DID I STUTTER”
- Every time it rains you try to think of all of Phyllis’ clichés
- You have a crush on Dwight
- You have a personal copy of Threat Level Midnight with one “Dwigt”
- You start clapping when Pam does her big speech during “Beach Day”
- You are pissed you don’t know what the tea pot letter says
- You realize the relationship between Kelly and Ryan is dramatically underdeveloped compared to the other relationships on the show
- You can recite the entire “Fun Run” name from memory
- You look at an imaginary camera when someone does something stupid as if you’re Jim but nothing is there…but you secretly know that your life is a movie anyway so your imaginary audience thinks you are totally hilarious

It’s okay, you are not alone.
At first I thought there was nothing wrong with it. Humans are naturally nostalgic and prefer the familiar.
But this is serious. I am starting to have a crush on Michael Scott, David Wallace and possibly realize what Angela sees in Dwight…

Dwight K. Schrute is v cute.
If you are also stuck watching your favorite show on repeat, don’t worry. Here are three justifications for your laziness:
1. Rewatching is actually good for you
I did the research and found watching the same show is actually good for you. I’m shooketh. Apparently, watching a movie or television show that you’ve seen before is less strenuous on your brain. It is also an excellent tool for de-stressing from the everyday pressures of life.
According to Psychologist Neel Burton,
“The things we feel compelled to re-watch or re-read are those that provide us with either comfort or perspective.”
Re-living these experiences make us feel incredibly good about ourselves. I don’t know about you but I love being comfortable. Why do you think I have worn the same sweatshirt for 5 days during this zombie apocalypse social distancing?

2. The characters become your best friends
I genuinely believe I have a relationship with Jim, work with Dwight, and spend my weekends at weddings playing guitar with Kevin’s band. I have grown as a woman watching Pam battle with the complexities of ending a perpetual engagement to be with the one she truly loves. Kelly has reminded me that everyone has a “Ryan” in their life. He or she is your kryptonite. No matter how hard you try, you just can’t resist. Jim has shown me what I want in a partner. While Holly and Michael prove that every relationship has their own time.
This is the power of the “parasocial relationship,” a one-sided relationship where a person develops a strong emotional interest. The most common parasocial relationships are ones we have with celebrities or professional athletes. Now if you are in an actual one-sided relationship with a significant other, that’s a different story….

However, having these deep relationships with characters we see in film and television can add a positive value to our lives.
3. If it’s not broken….
DON’T FIX IT.
It’s okay to lazy, we deserve it.

Now excuse me while I start Season 1 Episode 1. It’s been ten minutes days since I’ve ended the season.
Until next time,
Lauryn <3
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