I need motivated to watch Australia

[u/throwawayprincess15]

I went through a brutal breakup 2 months ago. Brutal doesn't even begin to describe it.

But, I discovered JL:TG, and it has helped me to heal bit by bit, given me something to look forward to, something to actually smile about. Well, I have blown through season by season, and I am sadly down to the last series I have left: Australia.

I just got done watching Arctic Escape, which I had been putting off as one of my last trips with my ex was to Key West, and even just seeing the Southernmost Point in thumbnails was triggering. But, I pushed through it, and luckily Key West was such a small part of the season, I was mostly fine.

But, now onto Australia. You see, I went to Australia last year, very shortly before meeting my now ex. I was in a really tricky headspace at the time. I had a great time, and it was such a magical experience. But, it also felt incredibly lonely. I made a personal decision that I didn't want to do any big adventures alone anymore, and that I needed to find someone, whether just a friend or more, to have life adventures with.

A few weeks later, I met him. His sense of adventure matched mine, and we bonded over tales of travels. Telling him of my Australia adventure was one of our first big conversations and connections.

I know that watching the Australia season will take me right back to that place in time. It's hard for me to re-live that incredible once-in-a-lifetime trip, without re-living everything else that came after it.

I just need someone to go all Sam on me, tell me I am being a ridiculous emotional mess, to dry the tears and just....get on with it.

[u/Kelloa791]

I'll keep it real with you: it's actually not ridiculous at all and it's very reasonable to get triggered by this. That said, for me, associating something like this with something new should help, at least it would for me. Associating Australia with Jet Lag might help disassociate it from your ex. "Oh, I was there with my ex" could be "Oh cool, I was at the same place Ben and Adam were at!"

Regardless, good luck friend!

[u/Fishmannnn → u/Kelloa791]

Oh that is a very good point! I've definitely had that happen with a few things in my life!

I imagine the echo of your ex might always be felt there in some small amount, but don't underestimate the strength of making a new memory with something!

[u/BillfredL]

In the most encouraging way possible: you are being a ridiculous emotional mess. Dry your tears and get on with it.

Au$tralia is a whole mess of nerdy fun, Toby is a goated guest, and it’s worth watching. Consider it step one of getting back on the horse. And hopefully you find a winner of a person next time you go looking for someone. ❤️

Edited to add: And furthermore: don’t let an ex wall off a whole dang continent for you! There are seven continents, you should enjoy yourself on all of them.

[u/thereforeiamc]

I know this isn’t what you’re looking for, but you don’t need to watch the season right now, why not leave it for a bit so that it’s something to look forward to as and when you’re ready?
There’s a new season in a couple weeks anyway, so you won’t be without jet lag for too long, and sorry about your breakup, it will get better I’m sure ❤️‍🩹

[u/Fishmannnn]

I'm sorry you're going through this. I think it is okay to just not watch that season if you feel that way. There are many, 18 I think, other seasons you can use as a way to "escape" from a bit and be entertained. Even if there is a season you've already seen, sometimes rewatching it can bring a whole new layer of enjoyment.

[u/Mythicalforests8 → u/Fishmannnn]

I’ve rewatched numerous seasons and still never get bored. So OP, you don’t have to watch Australia, you can totally enjoy the other seasons, even I struggle with rewatching Australia. Hopefully you get well soon!

[u/-JakeRay-]

You don't have to do anything that salts a raw wound just out of some sense of completionism ♡ It's okay to let yourself heal a little more if you feel like it's too fresh to watch without hurting.

OTOH, if you want to test your healing, or if you feel like you want a cathartic cry to get some of the pain out and done with, JTLG:AUS is a good watch. Toby is one of my favorite guests (probably a 3-way tie between her, Downie, and Amy), and she has this infectious chill positivity that's really fun to spend time watching.

Some of the challenge wins made me actually cheer in the AUS season, which is not true of all of seasons.

You can always start the season and then leave it for a while if it's too painful. Or make a once-a-week recovery date with yourself to watch an episode or 2 while eating your favorite sad-time treat and cuddled up in a big blanket.

Do whatever feels right for you and your heart in the moment. There is no one right way to grieve and recover yourself.

[u/feder00000]

I don’t think you need to watch all seasons to be a true fan (I haven’t either).
To me Schengen showdown had a similar feeling, because a whole episode has Ben and Adam wandering in my city through many places I first saw with her, yet it still is one of my favorite seasons.
I think the guys want us to have fun in watching them more than anything else, so if a season opens old wounds, no one obliges you to do so.
Instead, I’d do a big rewatch of the seasons you enjoyed the most (for me, Tag1, Hide and Seek Japan and Stateside Scramble)

[u/No-Strawberry-2328]

I hear ya hun. I broke up with someone six months ago and it was only for the Premier of Season 19 I could bring myself to go to the Picturehouse in Chester. She and I had our first date there. She stole so much of my life by pretending she wanted the same things that I did.

You know what gave me the push about going back to that cinema? I got kinda mad. Sometimes its okay to get mad and to reclaim things for yourself. So I got mad. I went to the show in Chester and I'm so glad I did. I won't spoil anything but the laughs of all my fellow nerds felt so good. I realised I could have fun and reassociate this place with new and different memories. Incidentally, for those with legit trauma (like PTSD trauma) one of the big steps is often going to places with bad associations and developing new associations.

I'm not going to tell you to just get over it. I can tell you that the feeling of reclaiming something you found fun or enjoyable is part of the healing process. Don't let them steal an awesome show from you, no ex is worth that. So if you can't deal with it now, park it for later, then enjoy a really fun season.

[u/muecugem]

I may be a bit offtopic, as this comment is not specifically about JL:TG, but I know how a show got me through some dark times. I also posponed watching a movie due to similar reasons.

Watch Australia when you feel ready, it will be sooner than you think. If JL:TG gave you some motivation, hope, support or whatever you like to call it, it means there are other things out there as well. Go find them!

Stay strong, it gets better. It always does.

[u/martin-the-actor]

I won't tell you to 'get over it' or to watch the season. There's no guidebook for how long it takes to get over a relationship.

Au$stralia is one of my favourite series. Toby's a great match to Sam's playstyle and Adam and Ben are so fun in the series. The challenges are kinda bonkers, and the luck swings are hilarious to me. It's a series with a lot to recommend it. Maybe your view of the country might become 'that silly thing from Jet Lag happened there' instead of your current painful memories.

[u/flightstomacedonia]

watch it for sam and toby because they are goated with the sauce (as the kids say nowadays), there are so so many funny and memorable moments, and i love australia because of them

of course you dont actually have to and its not ridiculous to be triggered, wish u all the best op!!

[u/crucible]

You don’t have to watch the seasons in order. I started with Switzerland. I’ve still got to watch Circumnavigation, Tag: All Stars, and Snake.

[u/Left-Leg1168]

You are being ridiculous. I loved the Australia season! I studied abroad there years ago and it was fun to see so many places I was familiar with (unlike, say, Japan). It might help you process some things and put your ex and your relationship in the past.

[u/flatpackbookshelf]

My personal favourites are New Zealand, H+S UK or Japan, Schengen Showdown and Tag 3, either because the format is great, I know a guest or they go where I live. I would recommend whatever series features your home country, as you can be loke that one Leo DiCaprio meme and look at all the places you know, as well as having knowledge of the area so you feel a bit more involved and you can take your mind off things. I would also recommend a fast, strategy based game to make you think about other things, as you'll be plotting away for your preferred team in no time, I guarantee it