Case
Well-known member
Based on the recommendation of a friend I trust, I just saw the Lars von Trier film, "Melancholia," starring Kirsten Dunst. I knew the basic plot, so I was ready for what the movie had to offer. After the film ended, I found myself with my hands shaking from the experience and dealing with such heavy feelings of sadness that I wonder if I should avoid movies that might affect me negatively even in the slightest. It was a great film, but what I'm feeling right now is not fun.
Funny enough, I used to be able to watch any kind of movie without a problem. Anything from extreme themes, to graphic violence, to graphic nudity, to horrifying behavior, etc, would entertain me to no end. These movies made me feel things I could never feel in my own life because I live a rather normal, safe existence. Movies have always given me a vicarious thrill into a fictitious character's emotional journey, and I have always thrived on that.
But as I age, I realize more and more that I am unable to watch the kinds of movies I used to love. I'm finding that certain themes, certain behaviors, certain plots, trigger emotions in me that turn the movie-going experience into something I don't want to experience at all.
And it's not just movies that adversely affect me. It's music, too. I can name a list of songs that will turn me from the happiest guy you know to the most depressed guy you'll ever meet in a matter of minutes. Friends of mine have even warned me not to play music from certain bands because they know how horrible I will feel afterwards.
Maybe it's not my age, but my experience with life. I got divorced, so many songs that remind me about my former marriage will bum me out. I'm currently single, so romantic comedies might feel more real to me than if I were in a relationship. I'm often lonely, so movies or songs that touch upon this subject will feel more real to me than they did 20 years ago. Both of my parents passed away, so any movie or song about "death" or "loss" puts me into a sad emotional state I would not have experienced when I was 20 or even 30 years old.
So, I'm finding myself avoiding more and more movies and music that will trigger these more extreme, emotional responses. For example, this year's Oscar for Best Picture went to "12 Year's a Slave," a true story about a free black man kidnapped and sold into slavery. I told a friend of mine that I didn't think I was ready to see such a brutal film. My emotional state would be too heightened, and I didn't think I could sit through the film. This is a drastic change from when I sat down to watch "Schindler's List" in the theater. THAT movie was a colossal mind-job, but I was able to see it, and even pronounce its greatness. But if "Schindler's List" was being released now, I would probably need Xanax or Prozac just to get through it.
Part of the reason I'm writing this is to bring my emotions down from the movie I just watched. I'm alone, so I have no one to talk to about it. The other reason is I wonder if this is normal.
Do we all have songs we'll turn off, movies we won't see, or TV shows we won't watch because they would trigger sensitive emotions in us? I'm not talking simply about stuff we don't like, think is crap, or just isn't our cuppa tea, but stuff that if we watch it will essentially ruin our day.
I don't know anyone in my life who has mentioned this. Tell me I'm not alone.
Funny enough, I used to be able to watch any kind of movie without a problem. Anything from extreme themes, to graphic violence, to graphic nudity, to horrifying behavior, etc, would entertain me to no end. These movies made me feel things I could never feel in my own life because I live a rather normal, safe existence. Movies have always given me a vicarious thrill into a fictitious character's emotional journey, and I have always thrived on that.
But as I age, I realize more and more that I am unable to watch the kinds of movies I used to love. I'm finding that certain themes, certain behaviors, certain plots, trigger emotions in me that turn the movie-going experience into something I don't want to experience at all.
And it's not just movies that adversely affect me. It's music, too. I can name a list of songs that will turn me from the happiest guy you know to the most depressed guy you'll ever meet in a matter of minutes. Friends of mine have even warned me not to play music from certain bands because they know how horrible I will feel afterwards.
Maybe it's not my age, but my experience with life. I got divorced, so many songs that remind me about my former marriage will bum me out. I'm currently single, so romantic comedies might feel more real to me than if I were in a relationship. I'm often lonely, so movies or songs that touch upon this subject will feel more real to me than they did 20 years ago. Both of my parents passed away, so any movie or song about "death" or "loss" puts me into a sad emotional state I would not have experienced when I was 20 or even 30 years old.
So, I'm finding myself avoiding more and more movies and music that will trigger these more extreme, emotional responses. For example, this year's Oscar for Best Picture went to "12 Year's a Slave," a true story about a free black man kidnapped and sold into slavery. I told a friend of mine that I didn't think I was ready to see such a brutal film. My emotional state would be too heightened, and I didn't think I could sit through the film. This is a drastic change from when I sat down to watch "Schindler's List" in the theater. THAT movie was a colossal mind-job, but I was able to see it, and even pronounce its greatness. But if "Schindler's List" was being released now, I would probably need Xanax or Prozac just to get through it.
Part of the reason I'm writing this is to bring my emotions down from the movie I just watched. I'm alone, so I have no one to talk to about it. The other reason is I wonder if this is normal.
Do we all have songs we'll turn off, movies we won't see, or TV shows we won't watch because they would trigger sensitive emotions in us? I'm not talking simply about stuff we don't like, think is crap, or just isn't our cuppa tea, but stuff that if we watch it will essentially ruin our day.
I don't know anyone in my life who has mentioned this. Tell me I'm not alone.