Summer of Love (Island)
October 9, 2024
Writer: Samantha Luper
Editor: Stella Cooper
I watched 62 hours of Love Island this summer.
It’s not easy for me to admit. I’m not particularly proud of my reality TV habits. Reflecting on the sunny beach days I missed while sitting inside behind a screen leaves a pit in my stomach. This hobby has always been written off as a “guilty pleasure” in my mind, I mean, can’t I be doing something more productive? Rather than learning a new skill, picking up extra work, or exercising, I found myself absorbed in the relationships of people I don’t know and most likely will never encounter in real life. It can be easy to feel guilty, regretful, and dwell on the hours lost to Ariana Madix and Maya Jama, especially when it feels like everyone around me is living their best lives.
Although I have loved reality TV for years, this summer hit a new extreme. I was obsessively watching my typical Love Island UK and newly added Love Island USA, both of which have episodes released basically every day. After long days at my internship or when my friends were busy as camp counselors, I always found comfort and entertainment with 50 minutes of Kaylor crying over Aaron, Leah and Rob drama, and suspenseful recouplings at the fire pit. It was an escape. An outlet to feel suspense, sadness, anger, joy, and surprise towards events that are completely removed from my life.
As summer fades into fall, I yearn for the time spent gathered on the couch with my family tuning into the villa. And as time passes, I’m learning to view my choices with more compassion. Yes, watching Love Island may not have been the most “productive” use of my time, it made me happy and helped me recharge after my first year away from home. Further, it reconnected me with my dad and sister who, despite claiming this show was “scripted” and “stupid”, were always right there with me at 9 p.m. laughing along with the chaos. Those moments of laughter surrounded by family are irreplaceable and weirdly enough wouldn’t exist without Love Island.
Reflecting back now with a more compassionate view, I see my summer in a different light. It taught me some invaluable lessons about balance and mental well-being. Especially in the fast-paced, goal-oriented college life, it's easy to become obsessed with productivity and forget that it’s okay to take breaks and do things that bring you joy. Maybe my summer consumed by Love Island is an extreme example, nevertheless, it’s a reminder to me and you that life isn’t always about checking off boxes on a to-do list or adding another bullet to your resume. Sometimes the things that seem the most “pointless” or “mindless” can bring us the most joy—and that makes it worthwhile. Even as schoolwork piles up, I still try to find time for a little “stupid” reality TV. No matter what’s going on in my life, I know I can escape for a while and watch couples fight over Casa Amor or text my dad about the latest couple to break up outside the villa.
This summer might not be the most memorable, and it might not be seen as the most “productive” by others, but it was essential to shaping who I am today. It taught me to be kinder to myself and reminded me of the importance of doing things that bring you joy, simply for joy itself.
