On New Year’s Day, I hosted a “Stranger Things” finale watch party with a couple friends. My husband even made a special dessert – pineapple upside down cake – for the occasion.
The ending was actually pretty happy, with no blood bath like I was expecting. But, still, after everyone left and went home, I started sobbing.
When my husband saw me with tears streaked down my face, he asked, “What’s wrong?! What happened?!” Between sobs, I answered, “I…don’t…know!!” But, honestly, even though it may seem stupid, I realize now that I was crying because one of my favorite TV shows was over.
I know I’m not alone in this, which is comforting. Scrolling through social media, I’ve seen plenty of similar sentiments, such as fans posting videos of themselves crying to songs featured in the finale, like “Purple Rain” and “Landslide.” Others coped by thinking the finale was a fake-out, and that they’d have one more episode – a “real” finale coming out on Jan. 7. I was hoping right there along with you but, of course, now we know it didn’t happen.
I remember feeling similarly when shows like “Supernatural” and “Schitt’s Creek” ended. And I think it’s because, no matter how you felt about the finale, you got attached to the characters. So, emotionally, it doesn’t just feel like the end of a series. It feels like you lost a friend.
According to findings from the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, bonding with story characters can help relieve attachment insecurity. Characters can provide a safe, predictable source of connection and offer a relatable escape from real-world stressors. It’s a one-way relationship where you never have to worry about awkward silences or judgment.
I also think this finale hit fans even harder because it marked the end of the holidays. We’re in the most depressing month of the year dealing with post-holiday letdown, bills, and/or seasonal affective disorder. We’re going back to work and getting back to the daily grind without anything else to look forward to. So, we’re collectively fixating on this.
So, what can you do now? How can you cope?
Let yourself grieve.
I think one of the reasons I felt so sad about the end of “Stranger Things” was because it also marked the end of an era in my own life. Nine years is a long time, and a lot happened to me in those years.
I met my now-husband the year the first season of “Stranger Things” came out. And, in that time, I moved three times, got engaged, got married, and had a baby.
For others, they literally grew up beside these characters and actors. Of course, it can feel sad when something has marked that much time in your life and now it’s over. Let yourself grieve and know this feeling is normal. It’s not stupid.
Put down your phone.
Stop with the endless doom scrolling. It’s not helping! For me, I admittedly went down the rabbit hole – spending hours researching theories about why “Stranger Things” wasn’t actually over – which only made me feel like I was going more crazy!
If you’re mourning the end of a TV show, it can be helpful to find like minded people on Instagram who are mourning alongside you. But it can also make you feel worse – like stalking an ex’s social media after a breakup.
Sometimes you just need to get your mind off it and do something else! Take a deep breath, leave your phone in another room, and take some time for yourself – maybe taking a warm bath, reading a book, exercising, or just eating dinner and actually focusing on the meal without scrolling at the same time.
Reflect on the ‘good times.’
If there really was a “secret episode” and the finale wasn’t real, then all bets would have been off. Chances are one of your favorite characters would have died. But for me, despite the flaws, I am content that, for the most part, all our characters got their happy endings in season 5.
As a former nerd growing up with the trifecta – braces, glasses AND acne – this show healed part of my inner child. It showed me that being a nerd is okay – even cool.
If any of the core friend group did die, it would have hit differently. So, I am thankful to this show for being a love letter to all the outcasts out there.
That’s something to appreciate. And, while you may feel like you lost your friends, the good thing about streaming services is that you can go back and visit them whenever you want.
Find something else to look forward to.
Maybe it’s planning a little getaway. For my husband and I, we’re planning a trip to Florida next month to escape the cold weather and visit my snowbird in-laws.
Or it could be something as simple as finding something else to watch. For ideas of movies and TV shows to check out now that “Stranger Things” is over, including HBO’s “Welcome to Derry,” Netflix’s “Fear Street,” and Amazon Prime’s “Paper Girls,” read this roundup by ScreenCrush.
Focus on your underlying mental health.
It’s cold, wet and dark outside. Could that be one of the reasons why you’re feeling depressed – not just because “Stranger Things” is over? Take a step back and evaluate your own mental health.
You could have seasonal affective disorder – a type of depression linked to seasonal changes.
Common symptoms of SAD include low mood, fatigue, increased sleep/appetite (especially for carbs), loss of interest, difficulty concentrating, and feelings of hopelessness. Treatments involve light therapy, psychotherapy (CBT), antidepressants, and lifestyle changes like increased light exposure and exercise.
If you’re struggling with your mental health, talk to your primary care physician, who can treat behavioral health conditions or refer you to a psychiatrist or therapist for additional help. You can also visit Psychology Today and click "Find a therapist" to find someone located within your zip code.
On New Year’s Day, I hosted a “Stranger Things” finale watch party with a couple friends. My husband even made a special dessert – pineapp...
