Wisdoms and Lorelaisms
When I was in high school, I made a major life-changing discovery. This discovery involved talking fast, pop-culture quips, and millions of cups of coffee.
The girls of Gilmore came into my life exactly when I needed them most. Every afternoon I would rush home after school to diligently finish my homework so I could watch Gilmore Girls reruns at 5pm on ABC Family. Their stories were relatable to my own (albeit theirs were much more entertaining because they had Kirk) and their colorful fast-paced lives left me dreaming of my own future.
At the time I watched the show I related most to Rory. I was quiet around people I didn’t know well, loved books, and had a calm sense of humor that usually came out at unexpected times. Not to mention the baby face and giant doe eyes. But anyways, I digress.
After I heard the Gilmore girls were returning for four new episodes on Netflix, I think I actually cried of joy. I started re-watching the episodes, trying to refresh on the little jokes and practice listening carefully to the speed talking so that I didn’t miss anything.
This time around though, as I watched the girls go through their lives, I realized that I had grown out of being a Rory and into a Lorelai. My stubbornness has become more prevalent, I’m a little bossy but in a super charming way (if I say it with a smile and a wink, it’s likely I’ll get what I want), and despite the fact that life has put me through the ringer, I’ve stayed (relatively) emotionally stable.
So, here’s to Lorelai and what she’s taught me over the years.
Coffee is important.
It’s good for you. It’s a gift from the heavens sent to us to make sure we can get all the shit done we need to in a day and not go crazy while doing it.
Wallowing is necessary.
Look, after a breakup, I know it feels easy to dive into something to distract you. But I promise it’s helpful to just let yourself be sad for a bit. Wallow. Eat pizza and a pint of ice cream and cry into your BFFs lap. It’ll be better soon.
Find the humor in life.
Not everyone is going to like you all the time. You’ll be faced with people who disapprove of what you do (sometimes it may even be your own mother), and it’s really no use obsessing over it and letting it tear you apart. Take a lesson from Lorelai’s playbook: find humor in it.
Just because you’re attracted to someone doesn’t mean you should date them.
Listen up, folks. Just because someone is pretty does not mean you should DATE THEM. There are more important things than being attracted to someone.
Complaining doesn’t help.
Life is hard. We all know that. You know what’s not going to make it any easier? Complaining about it every day. Suck it up and figure it out. We’re all in this together.
Be flexible!
Like I just said, life is crazy and sometimes we gotta roll with the punches (unless you’re Emily Gilmore, in which case you take control of life and punch back). But if I’m honest, I’m more like Lorelai here. And sometimes that’s okay too.
Mondays come around eventually.
Sometimes things happen that you don’t like. You don’t get a promotion, you have to deal with your in-laws, they run out of your favorite coffee at Starbucks. Things you don’t like come around eventually, and sometimes you just gotta put on your big girl panties and deal with it.
Admit when you’re wrong.
We’ve all done something stupid. We’ve said something hurtful, we’ve made insensitive jokes, we’ve been oblivious to other people’s feelings. We’re human and we mess up, and it’s okay. What’s important is that we admit when we’ve done something wrong so that we can make sure we don’t make the same mistake again.
Baths fix everything.
Hit up your local Lush, grab a glass of wine and a box of Malomars, and jump into a warm bath. You’ll feel like a whole new person when you emerge. Lorelai says so.
Sunday is the day of rest (and Saturday is the day of pre-rest).
Mental health is as important as physical health. Sometimes you just gotta play hooky from the stresses of life and sleep in on the weekends. Rest up, friends!
Food > everything.
The way these girls eat is honestly so impressive. I for one am tired of the stereotype that girls can/should only eat salads for dinner or count calories obsessively. But you know what? Food is damn good, and we should all enjoy it.
Moms and best friends are the most important relationships you’ll have.
Even if your mom is more like an Emily or a Mrs. Kim than a Lorelai, that relationship is important. It’s worth fighting for, worth saving, worth understanding. Ditto to best friends. Solidarity, sisters! Ya-ya!
There you have it, folks. The things I’ve learned and loved from Lorelai over the years. Only two more days until the Gilmore girls’ return to the small screen. Until then, you can find me curled up on my bed, stuffing my face with Pop Tarts and coffee, silently crying in anticipation.
Originally posted on The Grayscale.