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mamma mia three dads
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UCLA | Life

Living Life to the Fullest: I Live By the Mamma Mia Mindset

Chrisella Cordero Student Contributor, University of California - Los Angeles
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UCLA chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

I will always and forever be a Mamma Mia! girl. Something about this movie completely shifted how I see life. From the moment the music starts, I feel like I’m being pulled into a world where everything is livelier, carefree, and a little more fearless. It makes me want to sing at the top of my lungs, dance like no one’s watching, and book a one-way ticket to Greece just to chase that feeling of being fully alive and dot, dot, dot.

And honestly, what’s Mamma Mia! without ABBA? Their music isn’t just background noise; it is the story. Every song feels like a moment of truth, a confession, or a celebration. Whether it’s heartbreak, joy, or pure chaos, there’s a song for it. 

Spontaneous!

If there’s one thing Mamma Mia! teaches me, it’s that life isn’t meant to be planned down to the last detail. Sophie inviting three possible dads to her wedding? Completely unhinged… but also kind of iconic. It’s a reminder that sometimes the best moments come from the boldest, most unexpected decisions.

Being spontaneous doesn’t mean being reckless; it means being open. Open to change, to people, to experiences that don’t fit neatly into your plan. It’s about trusting that even if things get messy, they’ll still lead you somewhere meaningful.

Family and Mother-Daughter Relationships

What would you do if you found out you had three fathers? Well… invite all of them to your wedding! 

At its core, Mamma Mia! really builds on family, identity, and where you belong. Honestly, the “three possible dads” situation is definitely out of the ordinary, but it opens up something deeper: the family isn’t about certainty; it’s the love, connection, and the people who choose to be there for you. 

More specifically, the relationship between Donna and Sophie hits so deeply. It’s messy, emotional, and so real. There’s love, but also distance. Understanding, but also confusion. It mirrors what growing up often feels like – trying to find your own path while still holding onto where you came from. 

I will always cry to “Slipping Through My Fingers.” Every single time. It makes me think about my relationship with my mom, my upbringing, and all the sacrifices she has made for me. It reminds me how fast time moves, and how easy it is to take those moments for granted.

@jbyeaf

mamma mia the movie that u are💔🙏🏻 loved it #mammamia #foryou

♬ sonido original – Sofi🩷

Growing Up

It’s frightening, isn’t it? Thinking about what’s next to come, what’s ahead for you, what the future has in store for you. It’s a lot of things to think about. And honestly, as a graduating senior, this part hits harder than ever. It’s something I reflect on a lot. There’s something terrifying about not knowing what comes next in my life. All the “what-ifs” feel endless. What if I make the wrong decision? What if things don’t work out? But Mamma Mia! reframes that fear. It shows that not having everything figured out is part of the journey.

@seasilms

editing every mamma mia song #5 . dancing queen [ spc megaawrld_ | series ib @tizi ⚓︎ ] #mammamia #mammamiaedit #mammamiamovie #seasilms mamma mia, meryl streep, dancing queen, abba song, movie edit [ORIGINAL CONTENT]

♬ original sound – seasilms 𓆉

Living Life to the Fullest

My new mantra ever since I watched this movie is: “Life is short, the world is wide. I want to make some memories.” 

That line alone shifts my perspective. It pushes me to enjoy life, to keep going even when things feel uncertain, and to embrace change instead of running away from it. It reminds me that life isn’t about waiting for the “perfect” moment. It’s about choosing to live in the one you’re already in.

a mamma mia summer

Everything about the film screams adventure – from the setting, the music, the plot, and the characters. But it’s not just about traveling somewhere beautiful; it’s about letting yourself feel everything that comes with it. The joy, the confusion, the uncertainty. It’s about saying yes, even when you don’t fully know what you’re saying yes to.

I’m someone who usually avoids the heat, the beach, and anything that feels too chaotic (sorry, I’m not a summer person). But for a Mamma Mia summer? I’d reconsider everything. The idea of a Mamma Mia summer feels like stepping outside my comfort zone – the true definition of being spontaneous. It’s about realizing that adventure is out there waiting for you – and to take a chance on what it has to offer. 

Because a Mamma Mia summer isn’t really about the aesthetic of Greece (although that would make it even better). It’s about the mindset. It’s about choosing to be spontaneous, making memories, and letting yourself be a little freer than usual.

Dot, Dot, Dot

Mamma Mia! means so much to me on a different level. It’s honestly part of my DNA – I even had my 21st birthday themed around it. But more than that, it holds such a special connection between my mom and me. It’s one of those things we share that doesn’t need explaining.

And I think that’s why this movie stays with me. It’s not just about the music or the story – it’s about the memories, the people, and the feeling it gives you. It reminds me to live a little louder, love a little harder, and hold onto the moments that matter.

And maybe that’s what the Mamma Mia mindset really is: holding onto the people you love, embracing the moments you’re given, and choosing to live life anyway.

Chrisella is a fourth-year at UCLA majoring in Biochemistry and minoring in Society and Genetics. During her free time, she can be found lost in a book with her matcha, creating Spotify playlists, obsessing over her 90s and 2000s rom-coms, watching musicals, trying new food places, and exploring LA! You can catch her going to photobooths at least once a month.