By @shaima
I watch dramas with the faith that the next drama I watch will be the one to have my cell village all excited and celebrating, like in Yumi’s Cells — that my next drama will fill me to the brim with anticipation, and end with that great feeling of satisfaction. And yet, I have been willing to wade through scores of dramas that scream mediocrity — and some actively bad — to achieve that rare eureka moment.
2024, though, found me reluctant to go in too deep – and that could be why it felt like a year of slim pickings. Like any beach trip that brings along heaps of itself in sand, salt, and high spirits, I find the dramas that I did watch this year became part of my year-end reflections. In my year in dramas essay, I want to highlight the characters and stories that I feel add weight to the reaffirmations I make to myself before going into 2024.
Nurture your support tribe: Family and friends weave the safety net when disaster strikes, and buffer stress. They also provide emotional support, encouragement, and assistance to our progress.
Let go of negativity: One cannot saw sawdust. Whether it’s a drama you picked because of an actor/writer/director, or whether it is a loyal genre that you always complete, if it isn’t serving you, it’s okay to let go.
Mind shift: “When you listen long enough, everyone makes sense.” Understanding and accepting that the truth we know is only “our truth,” and working on empathy to understand what the other person is feeling, allows us to handle our reaction to a situation, and the impact it makes.
Smell your flowers instead of staring at the garden next door: In a world where everyone posts their glossiest life on social media, it is easy to lose sight of the present that we have, and keep chasing our tails. Finding happiness right where you are gives the peace and energy to smile and face the world.
Don’t give up on your puzzle when a piece is missing: For better or for worse, this life is ours. So, instead of just flowing with the times, make conscious decisions bring more agency and create a masterpiece of life.
I have enjoyed watching dramas and reading all the discussions here on Dramabeans this year! May 2024 bring us more dramas and characters that speak to us, entertainment us, and illuminate the little insights that can affirm our own progress in life.