Do you ever put something on TV just to have something on? I’m guilty of this. It’s actually my biggest productivity downfall. I start watching tv like a zombie and end up wasting a whole evening. I’ve gained no value from watching the show I chose and feel guilty because I haven’t been productive. Watching something can definitively help to destress or relax but if you are losing a bunch of time and not getting anything out of it, why are you watching random shows? If you’re going to watch something, it might as well be something that inspires you! I’ve created this list of shows that have inspired me to be creative and ambitious. All of these shows have added value to my life and have allowed me to relax. The next day I wake up feeling inspired and ready to chase my dreams!
The Great British Baking Show
This show is an all time favorite for me. Contestants from all over the UK come to compete and challenge their baking skills. Each episode has three bakes that the contestants complete: the signature bake, the technical challenge, and the showstopper challenge. The signature bake is something they have perfected and most times have added a twist to. The technical challenge tests their baking instincts when they are given a recipe with incomplete instructions. Finally, the showstopper is where they can unleash their creativity with unique flavors and over the top decorations. The showstopper is meant to wow. Each of the contestants is chasing the dream of star baker or becoming the champion for that season. It’s inspiring to see everyday people chasing their dreams and giving it their all. I love seeing how creative contestants get in the showstopper challenge!
Click here to watch the Great British Baking Show on Netflix!
Nadiya Bakes
Nadiya was actually a contestant on the Great British Bake Off. After finding success on the show, she now has her own cooking show and this baking show: Nadiya Bakes. I love this baking show because Nadiya is such a positive person and brings so much creativity into her baking. Every show has tons of ideas on how you can make what you’re baking extra special. I also love the UK baker features in each episode. The show features professionals in the UK that are the best at what they do. Whether it be sourdough bread smiths or extravagant tart artists, this show will inspire you to be creative and ambitious.
Click here to watch Nadiya Bakes on Netflix!
Next in Fashion
I LOVE Next in Fashion. This show has contestants at all levels of the fashion world. Some of them have their own fashion labels and some of them are looking for their big break. In the beginning, contestants are paired into teams and are given a garment challenge that will be judged on the execution of the design and creativity. Each episode also has a celebrity judge! It’s everything you could ask for in a fashion challenge. What I love most about this show is that judging is based largely on originality. Since the show seeks to find the next thing in fashion it really pushes contestants to make something that has never been seen before. Watch Next in Fashion for all the inspiration to be creative and ambitious!
Click here to watch Next in Fashion on Netflix!
Grand Designs
Grand Designs is a magical show. The series follows people with dreams of building extravagant, innovative, and challenging home designs. Some episodes are filmed over a period of years as some of the building timelines are extended due to unexpected costs, inclement weather, and building challenges the soon-to-be homeowners face. My favorite designs incorporate innovative eco-friendly building materials! I love watching this show and seeing the journey behind absolute masterpieces. It reminds me that good (or should I say grand) things take time.
Click here to watch Grand Designs on Netflix!
Interior Design Masters
I absolutely love this show! It’s based in the UK and takes individuals and gives them a chance to win a prestigious contract for interior design services. I love watching all of the challenges and seeing how the designers repurpose old items to stay under budget or to add charm. Each challenge requires a creative vision and the ability to execute what they envision. Once again another show that exhibits ordinary people chasing their dreams. How can that not be inspiring?
Click here to watch Interior Design Masters on Netflix!
Shark Tank
I think it’s pretty obvious why Shark Tank is on this list. It combines everything that is creative and ambitious. Contestants pitch to the sharks, who are private investors, in hopes of growing or saving their business. It’s amazing to see these creative and ambitious individuals show off their business and share their story of how they got started. It’s also exhilarating to see which companies land funding from the sharks. My favorite after-episode activity is googling to see how the companies are doing today.
Shark Tank is available on Hulu!
Restaurants on the Edge
Restaurants on the Edge is a series on Netflix that sees three consultants travel the world to help struggling businesses that are in stunning locations. It shows that even if you are in the perfect location, you can still end up struggling in a business. The three consultants each have something different that they bring to the table(pun intended). One focuses on interior design and creating a space that people enjoy being in. Another focuses on public image, marketing, and building local partnerships. The last consultant focuses on the menu, finds ways to incorporate fresh ingredients, and makes mouthwatering dishes. I highly recommend this show. It currently only has one season but I really hope they come back with a second!
Click here to watch Restaurants on the Edge on Netflix!
Instant Hotel
I believe there are a couple of versions of this show but I watched the Australian version. It starts with a group of contestants that travel around the country and stay at each other’s instant hotels(equivalent to Airbnbs). After each stay, the group votes on the quality of sleep, things to do in the area, and the atmosphere. I love seeing all the homes and how people decorate them to make them someplace special to stay. I also love that each contestant is running their own little hospitality business and goes through what they are pricing everything at and their guest policies. This is probably the show with the most drama on this list. I mean fighting over who gets the biggest room on vacation is always going to be dramatic.
Click this link to see Instant Hotel on Netflix!
Emily in Paris
I LOVE this show! It’s a show about Emily, who is an expat (someone who lives or works in a different country than the one they have citizenship through) in PARIS. How could I not like this show? It combines everything I love: Instagram, style, marketing, and PARIS. Emily takes an assignment at an advertising company in Paris and struggles to fit into the Parisian culture. Oh and there’s romance too! So really this show is everything. I find it infinitely inspiring. I am going to leave it at that to not give any spoilers!
Click this link to see Emily in Paris on Netflix!
