When life gets hard and depression sets in, having something to look forward to can make all the difference. For one die-hard Starfield fan, binge-watching the show was the perfect remedy. Earlier this year, as 22-year-old Alisha Thomasson was struggling with mental health problems, she turned to her favorite show to get her through the darkest moments of her life.
The Starfield universe is an expansive one, and in binge-watching Alisha explored the depths of this sci-fi saga. In the show, a group of misfit superheroes work together as Space Rangers, protecting humanity from alien threats as they grapple with their own personal challenges. This resonated with Alisha, who saw her own struggles reflected in the characters of the show.
The show’s optimistic themes gave Alisha hope and motivation to keep going. “I could relate to some of the character’s experiences on a personal level,” she explained. “I could tell they had gone through similar things to what I was going through.” The escapism of Starfield allowed her to take a break from her own life, just for a short while, and made her feel less alone in her battle with depression.
Alisha posted her story online, and the response was overwhelming. Fans of the show commented in their hundreds, thanking her for her appreciation of the show and showering her with support. This only added to the surge of happiness Alisha felt, as she was finally given the recognition she deserved.
“I had never felt so seen and so understood,” Alisha said. “I was reminded that I was valuable and that I was seen for the first time in so long.” She called this experience “life-changing”, and even went as far as to say that Starfield “literally saved my life”.
It goes without saying that this is a powerful reminder of the power of television. If there’s one thing Alisha’s story proves, it’s the importance of finding something that lifts you up, no matter how small. We can all take a leaf out of Alisha’s book and try to unearth the silver linings of life.
