This past weekend marked the release of the fourth (and much awaited) season of Arrested Development. To celebrate the release and to mark off an item on my 26 New Things list, I partook in a Netflix binge. While I didn’t watch all 15 episodes in one day, I did watch them over the course of two days. And, if it makes me sound any more badass, I only watched two episodes on the second day. So the effort was there to get it done in a day!
To help you get ready for your own Netflix binge of Arrested Development or for any other TV or movie binge, I’ve compiled some tips to make your binge a success. This wasn’t my first binge, so I’m no newbie to this Netflix bingeing thing. In fact, I’m well-known for my abilities to latch on to a show and watch it relentlessly for weeks. I mean, how else would I watch be able to watch Breaking Bad in three weeks? Not just one season in three weeks, either. All four and a half seasons. And they’re 1 hour-long episodes, too!
Seriously, blood, sweat and tears comfy clothes, a good Internet connect and fun times went into the making of this list, y’all.
Be in it to win it
If you’re departing on your first Netflix binge, be prepared and be in it to win it. Go into the binge knowing why you’re doing it and with the intention to finish. If you’re lucky, all of your mental preparation will be moot and whatever you’re watching will be so good you can’t turn off the TV even if you wanted to do so (Helllllloooo, Breaking Bad!).
Clear your calendar
If you’re serious about your Netflix binge (and you should be), you’ll want to make sure your calendar is clear. No commitments, no planned activities, just Netflix. Well, I guess you should leave breaks for food. Because, I mean, hey, it’s food.
Buddy up
I don’t mind watching TV by myself. In fact, it’s quite enjoyable to watch at my own pace (excessively fast and for long stretches of time), but there’s nothing quite like watching with a buddy. You get to quote the characters at each other after you’re done watching. You get to discuss and analyze in detail what has happened. And, most importantly, you get to laugh together.
Get comfy
By definition, a Netflix binge requires you to be in one general area for hours at a time. To make sure you can weather the harsh conditions of a binge, make sure you are decked out in full comfort attire and perched on the most comfortable seating you can find. Don’t get too comfy though; you don’t want to accidentally fall asleep mid-binge.
Get active when you’re done
Many might be of the opinion that if you spent all weekend inside watching TV you are lazy. Think ahead and be prepared to prove them wrong. When you’re done with your binge, peel yourself up off of the couch and get outside. Go do something active and burn off the adrenaline that is undoubtedly coursing through your veins from successfully completing your Netflix binge.
