1. Nothing good ever happens after 2AM
It’s safe to say that all the characters and most everyone else in this world do not make good decisions after 2AM. We’re sleep deprived, we’re prone to bouts of spontaneity, our senses are warped, and with everyone around us in the same mentally unstable state, no one’s stopping us from making bad choices.
2. Always suit up
Who doesn’t love Barney Stinson? He has a way with girls that no one else can compare with, lives in luxury, has wit and a sense of humor that make him all the more lovable, and no matter what he’s doing, he’s always wearing a suit. He teaches us that it’s always better to be overdressed than underdressed. You never know who you’re going to meet or what you’re going to encounter on a given day, but if something big were to happen today, wouldn’t you rather be dressed to impress?
3. The Front Porch Test
Lily broke Ted up with girls that she didn’t see passing “the front porch test.” When you’re old and gray, sitting outside on your front porch, the most important people in your life will be happily sitting there with you. Whether it’s a love interest, a huge life decision you’re making, or just a friend in your life, would you be happy with them when you’re out on the porch 50 years from now?
4. The Crazy/Hot Scale
Another one of Barney’s phenomena, the crazy/hot scale measures someone’s crazy to hot ratio. Ideally, people should be hotter than they are crazy. Of course, everyone’s allowed to be crazy and we naturally are to a certain degree, but for you to be datable, your craziness cannot exceed your hotness. You might want to reconsider that extra drink the next time you’re out!
5. If it’s meant to be, it will be
Let’s not forget that the entirety of this show is the story of how Ted met his wife. It took him 9 seasons to find the love of his life, and as hard as he tried to look for love throughout the show, none of them were “meant to be.” He eventually learns that you’re not supposed to go looking for love—love will come find you. And if Ted can go 9 seasons with failed relationships, then you can too.
6. You can’t live without your best friends
None of the characters can stand to be away from their little group for too long. From moving to other cities to ignoring someone because of an argument, they always end up coming back to each other. Our best friends have that effect on us. They’re a puzzle piece in our lives, and when that piece goes missing, we just aren’t complete.
7. Wait for it—
“This is going to be legen—wait for it—dary! Legendary!” How many times has Barney used “wait for it”? Too many times to count. But aside from being Barney’s catchphrase, it also teaches us a lesson in patience. Although Barney uses the phrase casually, it builds anticipation and meaning towards whatever comes after the “wait for it”. As the classic saying goes: good things happen to those who wait. From decisions made after 2AM to Ted’s love life, we know that it’s better to wait than to do something in the spur of the moment.