When I’m in dire need of a break, I like to play Peter Pan and refuse to grow up. Denial usually isn’t the way to go when you’re trying to resolve some issues in your life, especially when those issues tend to be, say your entire future. But nevertheless, quietly withdrawing to Neverland by popping in that dusty VHS can really do some good. Plus, the length of each movie is perfect for little kids’ attention spans – and mine (which is also equal to that of a goldfish).
In the land of cartoon nostalgia, college woes seem to vanish for a quick 90 minutes, and I start to believe that some day my prince really will come with a loving kiss instead of a 30-can case of Natty and a feral sex drive. I also begin to think that as soon as I dramatically burst open my window, animals will flock to my side and help me with my coursework as I sing a jaunty tune. They won’t – I know from experience.
Sure, a lot of people have started to realize minor lesson flaws. Exhibit A being Belle teaching girls that you can change a man. Exhibit B being Ariel radically altering her body and abandoning her family to win the boy of her dreams. At least Alice confirms I’m not as crazy as I think I am. But no matter! The lack of reality found in those animated adventures can’t bring me down once I watch lions belt tunes about being king, and I feel that heartwarming nostalgia of youth coming my way. In fact, it’s that very lack of reality that allows me to escape this un-Disnified world.
With magic carpet rides and talking mice named Jacque, the shame of drinking a glass of wine at one o’clock in the afternoon seems to disappear, and so do the thoughts of my (seemingly) shambled adult life. Innocence takes over, and I’m eventually singing along with my housemate to “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” just like my 8-year-old self. Suddenly, every exam I need to study for and every boy problem I could possibly have vanish into thin air as if I have my own fairy godmother. The only thing on my mind at this point is which Disney princess I can relate to the most and which prince I think is the hottest (it’s a tie between Eric and Phillip, by the way). Now that’s therapy.
With that said, kids, grab a juice box and some fruit snacks and let the Disney movie spell take over.