Are You Excited about Summer Movies?
Spoiler Alert: Not Everyone Is.
Many people love going to the movies in the summer. Others, not so much. If it’s difficult for you to enjoy going out to a theater, read this post for tips about stress-free cinema.
Many people love going to the movies in the summer. For some, it’s an escape from the heat. For others, it’s an opportunity to get away from their usual workaday routine and enjoy a story about someone else’s life. For others, summer means the kids are home from school, and a trip to the movies can be a fun family outing.
But not everyone loves going to the movies. For some, it’s just too social, even if they go alone. For others, the sensory experience can be overwhelming. If you don’t enjoy movie theaters, then it’s always a good option to stay home in comfort. Millions do. However, if you’d like to go out to a movie, some advance preparation can help you have a better experience. Let’s use the word CINEMA for suggestions: Clock, Ideas, Noise, Easy, Mondays, and Anxiety.
CINEMA
Clock
The C in CINEMA stands for clock. Check the movie times. If at all possible, try to go to the earliest showing of the day. This is usually around 11:30 AM or noon. When I choose the early screenings, I often find myself the only person in the theater, or one of only 2 or 3. It’s great to have what feels like a private showing!
Ideas
The I in CINEMA stands for ideas. There may be ideas or topics that would be distressing for you to witness on the big screen. It’s fine to censor your own viewing to accommodate your personal comfort. Many people who have recently lost a loved one will avoid movies where a character dies. Those going through divorce may not want to watch another “happily ever after” love story, or a sad heartbreak story; either may be extra painful when you feel vulnerable. Many LGBTQIA+ folk are simply tired of love stories that are inevitably between a man and a woman and do not reflect their lived experience. It’s good to know ideas in movies that might trigger you. You can read about the movie online before you choose, and also check out a crowd-sourced website called Does the Dog Die? It includes trigger warnings for various ideas that may appear unexpectedly in movies, TV, or books. When you are aware of potential triggers in advance, you can relax and enjoy your movie, knowing that the dog doesn’t die in this one.
Noise
The N in CINEMA stands for Noise. Movie theaters tend to turn up the volume way too high for many of us. I never go to the movies without my Loop-style ear plugs that allow me to hear the dialogue but bring the total volume down to a bearable level. Whatever your preferred form of ear protectors, remember to bring them along when you go to the movies. You’ll be glad you did.
Easy
The E in CINEMA stands for Easy. Let technology make it easy for you to enjoy your movie-going experience. Many theaters allow you to choose your seat and purchase your ticket online without having to wait in line when you arrive. It’s a relief to know that you can choose where you want to sit, avoiding other people when possible, all without the social stress of standing in a line and going through a cashier. Make it easy on yourself by using apps or websites when you can.
Mondays
The M in CINEMA is for Mondays. Equally important to checking your clock for the earliest screening, the day of the week makes a big difference in how busy your theater will be. Typically Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays are the least busy, especially early in the day. Of course, if Monday is a holiday, then go for Tuesday or Wednesday, when everyone else will be back at work or school. Later in the week, weekends, and evenings are all going to be more crowded. If you can fit a Monday morning showing in your schedule, you’re likely to miss the crowds.
Anxiety
The A in CINEMA is for Anxiety. A lot of folk experience increased anxiety going to a movie theater, even when they try to make the outing as stress-free as possible. If you worry about germs, you can wear a face mask, choose a seat far from others, and bring hand sanitizer along. If you worry that you might need to answer a call of nature during the movie, check out where the closest restroom is before you go in, just in case. There is an app called “Run Pee” which lets you know the best times to leave the theater for most movies, and even tells you what you will have missed while you were out. If you are anxious about having to talk to people, order your ticket online, forgo the concessions counter, and go straight to your seat. Finally, if the whole movie-going experience is just too anxiety-provoking for you, you are not alone. Lots of people just don’t feel comfortable going out to the theater, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Netflix and other streaming platforms were made for those of us who want to watch movies from the comfort of our own recliner, in our jammies and slippers, with our weighted blanket, microwave popcorn, and cat or dog on our lap. Staying cozy at home is a lovely, low-anxiety option.
Whether you go out to the movies or stay home this summer, I hope you enjoy the entertainment of your choosing. Getting lost in a good story, whether in a book, graphic novel, movie, or on TV, can be an adventure of its own. What’s your favorite entertainment? Let me know in the comments.
