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I know the current climate of the world feels very frightening. Ongoing concerns about the coronavirus have cancelled many events and gatherings in our area, and Virginia Governor Ralph Northam has even ordered all K-12 schools to close for two weeks.

And with the NBA season suspended and the national news bringing nothing but fear, it seems many Americans can’t even relax from the comfort of their own couches, as it feels like there’s nothing to watch.

I thought I’d lighten the mood a little by offering those of you that have elected to stay indoors a way to still get your entertainment fix. I’m not a binge-watcher and don’t spend too much time utilizing streaming services, but a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.

So, here’s a list of Netflix shows that I think you will enjoy right now, picked personally by yours truly:

TIDYING UP WITH MARIE KONDO

This Netflix original series premiered last year and pleased audiences worldwide. If you haven’t seen it already, now is the time. Expert organizing consultant Kondo spends each episode helping families organize their disheveled homes and lives using the Konmari method— a system of simplifying and organizing a home by getting rid of items that do not spark joy in life.

Just one episode of this series will leave you wanting to clean out the closet and finally organize your 1,000 pieces of mismatched Tupperware.

THE GREAT BRITISH

BAKING SHOW

You don’t have to have any interest in baking to enjoy this series. Although it encompasses all the drama and nail-biting of a fast-paced cook-off, The Great British Baking Show is a light-hearted baking competition that produces both breathtaking works of culinary art and baking flops that will have you saying, “Yep, that’s what my baked Alaska would look like, too.” Enjoy this series with a cupcake at the ready.

THE TRIALS OF

GABRIEL FERNANDEZ

Okay, so perhaps not everyone wants to immerse themselves in cakes and decluttering. If you prefer to get lost in a chilling and mysterious true crime documentary, this new, six-episode series about the court trials of a young boy’s murder will gladly take over your day. In an effort to prevent spoilers I won’t give too many details here. Just know that this one is best suited for adults.

BONDI RESCUE

This is one of the very few television shows on Netflix that I have watched to completion. Each episode documents just a few days in the lives of lifeguards on Australia’s notorious Bondi Beach. Some episodes will make you burst out laughing at the lifeguard’s antics. Others will break your heart as they fight to save the lives of drowning victims. From jellyfish stings to matters of life and death, this show has got it all.

LOVE IS BLIND

If you’re a fan of “The Bachelor” types of TV shows, look no further than this brand new series. Watch singles fall in love and get engaged without ever meeting face-to-face, and discover what happens when that love is thrown into the real world in-person. This series questions the notion of love at first sight and the binary of emotional connection and physical attraction.

There’s thousands of other things to watch on Netflix and this is only an example of my taste, so don’t get too judgy. However, if you’re looking to escape from the real world for a bit and aim your attention at your laptop, phone or TV screen for an afternoon, here’s what I think you’ll enjoy today.

ALEXA MASSEY is a staff reporter for The Farmville Herald and Farmville Newsmedia LLC. Her email address is Alexa.Massey@ farmvilleherald.com.