Some stories stay with us forever. Characters become our friends, as we identify with them; their joy, their struggle, their bad decisions. For you, it might be Hermione Granger, Bilbo Baggins, Phoebe Buffay, or Ted Mosby, but we all have at least one fictional character that we connect with. If we go all the way to the 90’s we meet the amazing six-some from New York, Friends, with the quirky characters like Phoebe, Ross, and the hilarious Joey. Another New York City squad is the one in How I Met Your Mother, also known as “HIMYM.” Here we fall in love with the hopeless romantic Ted, and the awesome Barney with his “Legen- wait for it- DARY” stories and the hilarious couple Marshall and Lily. Don’t get me started on the amazing Canadian Robin, for whom Ted made it rain. Literally.
These are not just loveable and funny tv series that we binge-watch on Netflix, they also grace us with many life lessons.
1. Nothing good ever happens after 2AM (HIMYM)
Let’s face it, there are those crazy “jangueos” that last way past 2AM and just get crazier ending in stories that are full of regret. A couple of weeks ago, I started to re-watch HIMYM and came upon this episode and I instantly remembered one of my “jangueos” gone bad. So that’s why, if it’s after 2AM, just go home and to bed.
2. Wait for it… (HIMYM)
We have all heard something like this: when life is treating you bad and you’ve had a rough couple of days, friends always tell you that it won’t last forever and life will get good AKA wait for it. Just go with the flow and your time will come. You never know when you might be at the right place at the right time and everything will change.
3. If stung by a jellyfish, pee on it. (Friends)
Or sand, rubbing sand works too.
4. Don’t ever give up crazy times with your friends. (HIMYM and Friends)
Always make time for “jangueos” and road trips with dear old friends. Something memorable will happen.
5. Perfect isn’t always perfect. (HIMYM)
Maybe what you dreamt about and thought would be so perfect doesn’t always end being so. For example, you have a crush that is just adorable and has a great laugh, at least from a distance. But when you actually get to know him or her, he or she may be a bit self-centered. On the other hand, you could be in a great relationship, which is perfect and full of love, but it would obviously have its quirks that drive you crazy; hence, perfect will not always be perfect. But isn’t that what makes it so?
6. Always support local artists. (Friends)
All the local artists are oozing quirkiness and full of originality, that’s the fun of it all. We should always support them because, not only are they doing what they love and following their dreams, but they need us (the public) to help them keep doing so.
7. Get out of the house, go for a walk, get a bagel. (HIMYM)
Don’t stay holed up in your apartment all the time, it’s not healthy! Go for a walk and get a coffee or something. We all need breaks.
8. You can’t cling to the past, because no matter how tightly you hold on, it’s already gone. (HIMYM)
Move on partner! Don’t live in the past, it’s unreachable, far beyond your grasp and if you keep trying to revive it, you will wind up missing so much. Live in the present for the sake of enjoying life.
9. F.R.I.E.N.D.S. (Friends)
“When it hasn’t been your day, your week, your month or even your year,” they’ll be there for you. Friendship is the best kind of love there is; they see you at your best and your most gorgeous self and also at your, just-woke-up, heartbroken-with-sweats worst and still love you. Don’t push them aside if you get into a new relationship; remember who will be there if things take a bad turn. Embrace and enjoy the time you have with them; the best memories will be made.
10. Long distance relationships rarely work. (HIMYM)
Let’s be honest, they don’t. Whether it be a relationship with a boyfriend or girlfriend, with a baby family member, or even with a pet. The baby or pet tends to forget about you after a very long time, and a romantic partner? Well Ted Mosby says it best, “long distance is a lie teenagers tell each other to get laid the summer before college.”
11. Sometimes there are some mistakes that we just have to make. (HIMYM)
Typically there are things we want to do that EVERYONE thinks is a bad idea. Even your inner voice thinks so too. But nevertheless, you have to do it because “the only way to really know it’s a mistake is to make the mistake, and look back, and say, ‘Yep that was a mistake’” (Lily Aldrin). According to Lily, the biggest mistake would be to not make the mistake, because then you would go your whole life wondering “What if?” So go ahead, knock back that fifth tequila shot. *winky face*
12. Never use “We were on a break” as an excuse. (Friends)
Don’t pull a Ross Geller and think that being on a break from a relationship is a free pass for being with other people. Au contraire ma cherie, it’s a time to think, a time for yourself and think of the ways the relationship could be better. Overall it’s a time to get ready for DTR (Define the Relationship).
13. It’s not smelly cat’s fault. (Friends)
Like Phoebe’s most popular song:
“Smelly cat, smelly cat what are they feeding you?
Smelly cat, smelly cat it’s not your fault…
They won’t take you to the vet.
You’re obviously not their favorite pet.
You may not be a bed of roses,
And you’re no friend to those with noses.”
If it’s smelly, it may not be its fault.
14. Happiness comes from within. (Both)
Happiness is not a person or a thing, it can only be found inside each of us. If you want to be happy, then be happy. Take time for yourself and indulge in self loving. This way, by making yourself happy, you find happiness.