I have a habit of binge-watching series and movies. I have all sorts of streaming platforms in which i spend most of my time. I started repeating cycle of binge-watching since covid(4 years ago). I realized throughout the years that I have been trying to escape from my life and living the different lives through the characters in the series. I tried to cut out watching hours but I find myself empty whenever I’m not watching anything. I think the reasons might be because I think my life is boring and dull and depressing. I wanted to escape from my life so bad that I kept on watching all sorts of shows. I started to isolate myself and got envy of the friendships and relationships in the stories. Some stories even impacted me a lot that i can’t get over the heartbreak of the character for like a week as if it was my own heartbreak. To be honest, the emptiness and loneliness after finishing a show or waking up in the morning is just unbearable. But I don’t know how not to feel lonely. I’m already 23 and I just moved to a foreign country 2 years ago. I don’t have a best friend or even friends that I can call when I’m sick or need to vent in this country. Even when I wanna call my old friends, they are like 12 hours away and they also have their lives going on. I just feel lonelier and lonelier day by day. And I also don’t have motivation even tho I’m studying my best to keep good grades. My daily routine is just waking up, study, eat, watch shows and sleep. I can’t just stand the emptiness and loneliness anymore. Can i have some advices?
I just stop watching shows n games. I go out w ppl who i met online to make life interesting
Dear @Iwantpeace
Thank you so much for opening up and sharing what you’re going through. I just want to say — I hear you, and I can feel how heavy everything must be right now. What you’ve described — the cycle of binge-watching, the loneliness, the longing for connection — it all makes so much sense, especially after everything you’ve been through these past few years.
Escaping into series and stories can feel like the only thing keeping us afloat when real life feels too empty, too quiet, or too painful. It’s not a weakness — it’s your way of surviving, of trying to feel something, anything, when everything else feels dull or far away. And it’s incredibly brave of you to recognise it and to reach out now.
Moving to a new country, being away from familiar faces, and trying to hold everything together on your own — that’s a lot for anyone. You’re carrying so much, and I hope you can be gentle with yourself about that. It’s okay to feel lost sometimes, and it’s okay to not have a best friend or support system right now — that doesn’t make your pain any less valid. It makes it even more important to care for yourself, one small step at a time.
If it feels too hard to do this alone, please know it’s perfectly okay to seek help. A counsellor could help you work through the loneliness and find healthier ways to cope. It doesn’t mean you’re broken — it just means you’re human. And humans aren’t meant to carry so much alone.
You’re not behind in life. You’re not failing. You’re doing your best in a tough season — and that’s something to be proud of. Please don’t lose hope. You’re still here, and that means your story is still unfolding. You still have so many moments ahead that will bring you connection, joy, and peace — even if they’re hard to imagine now.
Please know you deserve kindness, friendship, and love — starting with yourself. We are here to listen and support so continue reaching out where needed. 