Like many kids of the 90s and early 2000s, most of my childhood was spent sitting in front of the television watching Disney movies. I loved the stories and the characters, and my love has only grown throughout the years. The new Beauty and the Beast film has made me nostalgic, so here are some of the lessons I’ve learned from my repeated viewings of these fabulous movies and their leading ladies.
Ariel: Your voice is important.
In The Little Mermaid Ariel’s beautiful voice is what sets her apart from all the other mermaids in the sea. My voice and my opinions make me unique, and no one (not even an evil sea witch) can take that away.
Belle: Find the beauty within.
Belle is undeniably one of the best Disney princesses. She’s smart and beautiful, but her best quality is being able to see what lies beneath the surface in others. You can’t judge a person only on a first impression, it takes time to figure out whether they are a beauty or a beast.
Cinderella: Live like the clock is ticking down to midnight.
Did Cinderella wait in her house for her prince to come? No. She put on some heels and lived. We should all take each second of our lives as an opportunity to create some magic.
Rapunzel: Take a step outside your comfort zone.
Rapunzel grew up never knowing what kind of excitement existed outside of her tower. When she finally got the courage to leave, she had a better time than she could’ve ever imagined. So don’t stay in your dorm all weekend waiting for something to happen, you’ve got to get out and make your own adventures.
Mary Poppins: Subvert expectations.
Did anyone expect Mary Poppins to slide up a staircase? No, and the surprises didn’t stop there. Don’t confine yourself to the expectations that others put on you.
Jasmine: You are not a prize to be won.
Jasmine didn’t settle for any guy that wanted to marry her just because she was a princess. She waited until she found someone who loved her for more than just her title. Don’t let anyone treat you like a trophy; you should find someone that fights to win your heart.
Tiana: If you want something, work for it.
Most Disney movies are all about dreaming, but not Princess and the Frog. While Tiana does do some wishing on stars, she realizes that the only way to get what she really wants in life is through hard work. Dreaming and wishing can only get you so far, so you have to get out and hustle for your goals.
Elsa: Don’t shut your loved ones out.
There are a lot more lessons that can be taken away from Frozen, it’s pretty deep for a kids’ film. Perhaps the most important, and most relevant with all of our college struggles, is that you can’t push people away from you. Even in your darkest moments, the people around you will support and love you.
Esmeralda: Stand up for what’s right.
Another Disney movie that only gets more impressive as you get older, The Hunchback of Notre Dame touches on themes of corruption, religion, adventure and desire. Esmeralda is the feistiest of characters, and she doesn’t let her low status in society stop her from standing up for what she believes in.
Tinkerbell: Jealousy is a waste of energy.
Tinkerbell is one of the sassiest characters, and while a little bit of spunk is always good to have, too much attitude can be toxic. Don’t waste your time stressing about what others have that you don’t and instead focus on all the amazing qualities that you do have.
Jane: Explore the world.
Exploring the world seems to be a common theme, but if you ask anyone who’s been abroad they will tell you about how enriching their experience is. Jane is a women of science, and all she wants is to make her own discoveries. Go out into the world and discover something beautiful for yourself.
Snow White: Be kind to everyone, even those who are unkind to you.
Kindness is unfortunately something that seems to be lacking in our world today. Snow White is not the most exciting princess, but her strongest quality is also the most important. No matter what happens to her, she doesn’t lose her kindness.
Mulan: You are stronger than you think.
We all have strength inside of us, but sometimes we don’t entirely know how strong we are until given the opportunity. Mulan had a lot of bad-ass potential inside of her, but she never knew that power existed until given the chance to use it.
Does this list make you feel nostalgic? Empowered? What lessons have you learned from Disney movies?