Top 18 'Life-Script-Rewriting' TV Shows to adopt for a Major Personal Reset at home this year
Ever feel like you’re living life on autopilot? Like you’re playing a role in a story that someone else wrote for you? This feeling of being stuck in a narrative—a "life script"—is incredibly common. These are the unconscious beliefs and decisions we made long ago about who we are, what we’re capable of, and how the world works. They dictate our reactions, our relationships, and our sense of possibility.
Breaking free from a limiting life script is the very definition of a personal reset. It’s about consciously choosing a new story for yourself. While this deep work often involves introspection, journaling, or coaching, inspiration for change can come from the most unexpected of places: your TV screen. The right stories don't just entertain; they offer us new perspectives, emotional blueprints, and the cathartic experience of seeing someone else break through their own limitations.
Here at the Goh Ling Yong blog, we believe in using every tool at our disposal for personal growth. So, grab your remote, get comfortable, and prepare for a major personal reset. We've curated a list of 18 powerful TV shows that are perfect for helping you question, dismantle, and rewrite your life script from the comfort of your own home.
1. Ted Lasso
This show is more than just a comedy about a folksy American football coach in charge of a British soccer team; it's a masterclass in emotional intelligence. Ted’s unwavering optimism, kindness, and vulnerability challenge traditional scripts about leadership, masculinity, and what it takes to win—both on the field and in life. He chooses curiosity over judgment and empathy over anger, again and again.
Watching Ted navigate cynicism and adversity with a biscuit and a smile can help you rewrite the script that says you need to be hard, jaded, or aggressive to succeed. It’s a powerful reminder that softness is a strength and that investing in people is always the right play.
- Rewrite This Script: "I have to be ruthless to get ahead."
- Actionable Tip: The next time you face a disagreement, consciously adopt Ted’s "Be curious, not judgmental" mantra. Instead of forming a rebuttal, ask open-ended questions to truly understand the other person's perspective.
2. Queer Eye
At its core, Queer Eye is about radical self-love. The Fab Five don't just give people new wardrobes and homes; they help them dismantle the life scripts that have been holding them back. They address the core beliefs that say, "I'm not worthy of care," "It's too late for me to change," or "I don't know how to ask for help."
Each episode is a lesson in how our external environment reflects our internal state. By showing a hero how to care for their space, their body, and their passions, the show provides a blueprint for rewriting a script of neglect into one of self-worth and intentional living.
- Rewrite This Script: "Focusing on myself is selfish."
- Actionable Tip: Pick one area of your life inspired by the Fab Five (Grooming, Wardrobe, Home, Food, or Culture). Spend one hour this week intentionally improving it as an act of self-care.
3. The Good Place
What does it mean to be a good person? Can we truly change? This brilliant comedy tackles life's biggest philosophical questions with humor and heart. The characters arrive in the afterlife believing they are "good" or "bad" based on a fixed script, only to discover that personal growth is a messy, continuous, and collaborative process.
The Good Place is the ultimate show for rewriting the script of perfectionism and self-judgment. It teaches that it’s not about where you start or how many times you fail; it’s about the conscious effort to be a little bit better today than you were yesterday.
- Rewrite This Script: "My past mistakes define who I am forever."
- Actionable Tip: At the end of the day, take 60 seconds to reflect on one small choice you made. Ask yourself, "What was the motivation behind that? What could I do differently tomorrow?"
4. Schitt's Creek
This show is a Trojan horse. It starts as a comedy about a wealthy family losing everything and ends as a profound story about identity, resilience, and unconditional love. The Roses are forced to shed the scripts that defined them—the socialite, the businessman, the hipster—and discover who they are without the external trappings of wealth.
Schitt's Creek is the perfect medicine for anyone whose identity is too tightly wound around their job, their status, or what other people think of them. It’s a hilarious and heartwarming journey of rewriting a script of superficiality into one of authentic connection and personal fulfillment.
- Rewrite This Script: "My success and possessions are what make me valuable."
- Actionable Tip: Identify one thing in your life you value for status (a brand, a title, a social obligation). Experiment with letting it go for a week and see how you feel.
5. The Bear
On the surface, The Bear is a stressful, high-octane drama about a fine-dining chef taking over his family's chaotic sandwich shop. But underneath the noise is a powerful story about processing grief, embracing collaboration, and finding purpose in the middle of chaos. Carmy is trying to rewrite the script of his dysfunctional family legacy into one of excellence and respect.
This show is for anyone who feels overwhelmed by their circumstances. It’s a raw and honest look at the hard work of transformation, reminding us that a reset isn’t a single, clean event but a series of small, difficult, and deliberate choices made every single day.
- Rewrite This Script: "I have to do everything myself to get it done right."
- Actionable Tip: Identify a task you're struggling with. Who is one person you could ask for help or collaboration on, even if it feels vulnerable?
6. Severance
This sci-fi thriller presents a chilling question: What if you could completely separate your work life from your personal life? The employees at Lumon Industries undergo a procedure that splits their memories, creating an "innie" who only knows work and an "outie" who has no idea what they do all day.
Severance is a brilliant allegory for the scripts we write about work-life balance and the parts of ourselves we suppress to fit into a corporate mold. It's a must-watch for anyone feeling disconnected or fragmented, prompting you to consider how you can integrate all parts of yourself into a more whole and authentic life.
- Rewrite This Script: "I have to be a different person at work than I am at home."
- Actionable Tip: Think about one quality you value in your personal life (e.g., humor, creativity, empathy). Find one small way to bring more of that quality into your work this week.
7. Avatar: The Last Airbender
Don't be fooled by the fact that it's a cartoon. This series is one of the most profound explorations of destiny, mentorship, trauma, and personal growth ever created. Each character is grappling with a life script: Aang, the reluctant hero; Zuko, the banished prince seeking honor; Katara, the caretaker who must find her own power.
The show's magic lies in its depiction of change. We see Zuko’s painful, non-linear journey of rewriting his family's script of rage and conquest into one of compassion and balance. It teaches that your destiny isn't a fixed point but a path you choose with every action.
- Rewrite This Script: "I am defined by the expectations of my family or society."
- Actionable Tip: Identify a "destiny" or expectation someone else has for you. Journal about what you truly want in that area of your life.
8. Fleabag
Painfully funny and deeply human, Fleabag is a direct look into the mind of someone trying to outrun their grief and self-loathing. The main character uses wit and fourth-wall-breaking humor to deflect from a core script that tells her she is broken and alone.
This show is a masterclass in rewriting the script of avoidance. It’s for anyone who uses humor, distraction, or cynicism to avoid facing their true feelings. Fleabag’s journey toward vulnerability and accepting help is a powerful, cathartic reminder that healing only begins when we stop running.
- Rewrite This Script: "If I show my pain, I will be a burden to others."
- Actionable Tip: Think of someone you trust. Share one small, genuine feeling or struggle with them this week, even if it feels uncomfortable.
9. Russian Doll
Nadia Vulvokov is stuck in a time loop, forced to relive the night of her 36th birthday party over and over again. The loop is a brilliant metaphor for the self-destructive patterns and unresolved trauma we repeat in our own lives until we finally confront them.
Russian Doll is the perfect show for anyone who feels stuck in the same negative cycle—whether in relationships, habits, or thought patterns. It’s a thrilling, mind-bending exploration of how to break free by taking responsibility, connecting with others, and untangling the past.
- Rewrite This Script: "I'm just stuck this way; I'll never change."
- Actionable Tip: Identify one recurring negative pattern in your life. Instead of blaming circumstances, ask: "What is my role in this pattern, and what is the very first, tiny step I can take to change it?"
10. Tidying Up with Marie Kondo
This one is beautifully literal. Marie Kondo’s philosophy isn’t just about decluttering your home; it's about decluttering your life. The act of physically touching every object you own and asking, "Does this spark joy?" forces you to confront your past, your habits, and your aspirations.
Watching families let go of things they’ve been clinging to out of guilt, obligation, or nostalgia is a powerful lesson in rewriting your life script. It helps you shift from a mindset of scarcity and sentimentality to one of intention, gratitude, and forward-looking joy.
- Rewrite This Script: "I need to hold onto things 'just in case'."
- Actionable Tip: Don't try to tackle your whole house. Start with one drawer. Take everything out, and only put back the items that genuinely "spark joy" or are truly necessary.
11. Halt and Catch Fire
Set in the 1980s personal computer boom, this underrated drama follows a group of visionaries and engineers trying to build the future. More importantly, it’s a show about reinvention. The characters fail—spectacularly and repeatedly—but they never stop getting up and trying to build the next "thing that gets us to the thing."
This show is essential viewing for anyone who has a script that says, "Failure is the end." It beautifully illustrates that careers and lives are not linear. It gives you permission to pivot, to start over, and to believe that your last failure isn't your final chapter.
- Rewrite This Script: "If I fail at this, I am a failure."
- Actionable Tip: Reframe a past "failure" as a "data point." What did you learn from that experience that you can apply to your next project or goal?
12. The Queen's Gambit
Beth Harmon is a prodigy, but her true battle isn't on the chessboard—it's against her own inner demons, her addictions, and a world that doesn’t know what to do with a brilliant, focused woman. She has to rewrite the script of the tragic, self-destructive genius.
This series is a stunning portrayal of mastering a skill and, more importantly, mastering oneself. It’s a powerful story for anyone who feels that their talent is intertwined with their trauma, or for those who need inspiration to dedicate themselves to a passion and redefine success on their own terms.
- Rewrite This Script: "My flaws or addictions are the source of my talent."
- Actionable Tip: Identify one skill you want to develop. Dedicate just 15 focused minutes to it today, channeling Beth Harmon's intense concentration.
13. Detectorists
In a world of high-stakes drama, Detectorists is a quiet, gentle, and profoundly comforting show about two friends who share a passion for metal detecting. It’s a meditation on friendship, the beauty of the ordinary, and the importance of having a passion that connects you to history and the world around you.
This show is the perfect antidote for the life script that says, "You must be busy and productive at all times." It champions slowness, patience, and finding immense joy in small, seemingly insignificant things. It gives you permission to have a hobby just for the love of it, not for profit or prestige.
- Rewrite This Script: "My free time needs to be productive."
- Actionable Tip: Schedule 30 minutes this week for a "pointless" activity you simply enjoy. Go for a walk without a destination, listen to an album without multitasking, or just watch the clouds.
14. After Life
Ricky Gervais’s character, Tony, is consumed by grief after his wife's death. He adopts a new "superpower" of saying and doing whatever he wants, a script designed to push everyone away. The series follows his journey as he slowly, reluctantly discovers that connection and kindness are the only things that can heal him.
After Life is a poignant and surprisingly funny exploration of grief and depression. It's a vital watch for anyone rewriting a script of isolation, reminding us that even in our darkest moments, our purpose can be found in our connections to the people (and animals) around us.
- Rewrite This Script: "No one can understand what I'm going through, so I'm better off alone."
- Actionable Tip: Do one small, kind thing for a stranger or acquaintance without expecting anything in return. Notice how it makes you feel.
15. Beef
A road rage incident spirals into a protracted, all-consuming feud between two strangers, Danny and Amy. The show masterfully uses their conflict to explore the pent-up rage, disappointment, and existential emptiness simmering beneath the surface of their seemingly different lives.
Beef is an unflinching look at the destructive scripts we create when we don't know how to process our anger and dissatisfaction. It’s a cautionary tale but also a strangely hopeful one, suggesting that sometimes our ugliest emotions are a gateway to radical honesty and unexpected connection.
- Rewrite This Script: "I'm fine. Everything is fine."
- Actionable Tip: Allow yourself to feel an "unpleasant" emotion (anger, jealousy, frustration) without judgment. Simply name it: "I am feeling angry right now." Acknowledging it is the first step to processing it.
16. Abstract: The Art of Design
Each episode of this documentary series profiles a single, brilliant designer from a different field—from illustration to architecture to footwear design. It’s not just about their work; it’s about how they think, how they see the world, and how they solve problems.
This show is a powerful tool for rewriting the script, "I'm not a creative person." It demystifies the creative process, showing that it’s less about a lightning bolt of inspiration and more about curiosity, iteration, and a unique way of looking at the world. It inspires you to apply design thinking to your own life.
- Rewrite This Script: "Creativity is for artists."
- Actionable Tip: Pick a small, everyday problem in your life (e.g., an inefficient morning routine, a cluttered desk). Brainstorm three wildly different, "designerly" solutions to it.
17. Breaking Bad
While Walter White's transformation into a meth kingpin is a cautionary tale, it is also one of the most compelling studies of agency ever put on television. A man who lived his life by a script of passivity and resentment decides to break bad, seizing control and rewriting his identity, with devastating consequences.
Watching this show isn’t about emulating Walter, but about examining the scripts of powerlessness in your own life. It's a dark but potent reminder of our capacity for change and the importance of making conscious choices about who we want to become, before desperation makes the choice for us.
- Rewrite This Script: "I am a victim of my circumstances."
- Actionable Tip: Identify one area where you feel you have no control. Brainstorm one small action you can take to reclaim a tiny bit of agency in that situation.
18. Chernobyl
This harrowing historical drama recounts the 1986 nuclear disaster and the cleanup efforts that followed. Its central theme is the catastrophic cost of lies. The entire disaster was caused and exacerbated by a system built on a script of denying reality, punishing truth-tellers, and protecting the institution at all costs.
Chernobyl is a stark and vital lesson in the importance of radical honesty, both with others and with ourselves. It will inspire you to question the convenient lies or half-truths in your own life script and to find the courage to face uncomfortable realities, knowing that the truth, however difficult, is the only foundation for real solutions.
- Rewrite This Script: "It's better to ignore the problem than to face the difficult truth."
- Actionable Tip: As Goh Ling Yong often advises, practicing radical honesty starts small. Identify one small truth you've been avoiding this week and face it head-on, either by speaking it or by taking one action based on it.
Your Story is Waiting to be Rewritten
The stories we consume have a profound impact on the stories we tell ourselves. These shows aren't just a passive escape; they are active invitations to see your own life through a new lens. They provide roadmaps for navigating grief, failure, and change. They offer proof that transformation, while often messy and difficult, is always possible.
So, don't just watch. Engage. When a character makes a choice that resonates with you, pause and ask why. When a theme challenges one of your core beliefs, grab a journal and explore it. Use these stories as a catalyst for your own major personal reset.
Which show will you start with for your life-script rewrite? Do you have another favorite show that inspired a major change in your life? Share your thoughts and recommendations in the comments below!
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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