13 Life Lessons Learned From '13 Reasons Why' | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

13 Life Lessons Learned From '13 Reasons Why'

"You can hear rumors, but you can't know them."

9014
13 Life Lessons Learned From '13 Reasons Why'
Netflix

In case you missed it, Netflix released "13 Reasons Why," a series of thirteen episodes based on the book by Jay Asher. The Netflix series has long been awaited by those who read the book and was a quick addiction for everyone, even those who didn't read the book. The story brings to life the harsh reality of suicide and reveals the potential harm words and actions can have on those around you, even if it wasn't intended. "13 Reasons Why" goes above and beyond teaching one lesson about suicide; it teaches many lessons, and they can help improve the daily life of ourselves and others.

1. You can't trust everyone.

Hannah Baker lost the trust she had for many of the new friends she made after moving to Liberty High School, and likewise, many of her friends made assumptions about her when most of the time, the assumptions weren't true.

2. Words are powerful and can have a lasting impact on people.

Just about everyone in the show and book both received and spoke hurtful words. Many of the people didn't think twice about what they said, and when they did think about it again, it was too late. Just because you may think they're "just words" or you "didn't mean it" or weren't intending on them being hurtful, doesn't mean that they aren't. Think about what you say before you say it.

3. Don't be scared to love someone — you may end up being all they have.

Clay Jensen loved Hannah Baker but was too scared to ever confess his feelings and own up to them. Little did he know, his love was just about all Hannah needed to convince herself that she mattered.

4. No matter where you go, there will be people who suck.

I know this sounds harsh and pessimistic, but it's reality, especially in high school. Hannah's family moved away from one town so she could start over, but moving towns didn't do anything in the end. It's impossible to move away from the sucky people, but you can do your best to avoid them, or even better, try and help them.

5. No matter where you go, there will be people who don't suck.

Yes, this is the exact opposite of what I just said. But it's true, as made clear by Clay Jensen. Hannah even said it herself — maybe she had been hanging out with the wrong people all along.

6. Think twice before you say or do something.

Put yourself in the other person's shoes. Would you be hurt if someone did or said what you were intending on saying? If the answer is even in the slightest bit yes, don't do/say it, or find a better way to communicate or act it out. If some of the people who hurt Hannah and other characters in the story would have thought twice, things could have been much different.

7. Covering up problems does not make them go away.

I'm not going to spoil anything, but if anyone does anything to you that is illegal, or harmful, at all, seek out help. Don't try to cover it up and keep it inside because it will eat you alive over time and will cause you to crash and burn. Talk to someone you can trust, and act on what happened.

8. "You can hear rumors, but you can't know them."

A quote from the book itself. Everyone is guilty of either spreading a rumor or fueling the rumor by not trying to stop it. If you ever hear anything about someone coming from someone else different than the person it's about, don't believe it. If it is relevant to your life at all and you need to know if it's true, go to the person themselves to confirm it instead of relying on secondary sources. And please, do not encourage rumors to keep spreading by not stopping them or telling them to other people. Once again, how would it make you feel if it was about you?

9. Just because someone is acting fine, doesn't mean that they are.

There are so many times in life where we feel the need to cover up what we are really feeling with a fake smile. Everyone is fighting an internal battle of their own, so be nice. Don't make assumptions about the way others may feel, and always check in on the people you surround yourself with every once in a while.

10. Talking to people is important.

No matter how upset you may get and even if you feel like there is no one to talk to, there is always someone. There are hotlines that are there for you when you feel like there is no one else. Talking to someone else will always give you a different perspective and can turn your world around if the right things are said. Whether you need to talk to someone or you're the person that people talk to, always remember to talk.

11. Actions have consequences. Always.

There are many, many times in the story where someone makes a horrible decision, and the consequences are detrimental. The consequences may not immediately come around, but they will in time. It's all the more reason to think twice.

12. Violence doesn't need to be treated lightly.

Everyone knows there is a multitude of emotional violence in the story, but there is also an unhealthy amount of physical violence, between friends, couples, and parents and their kids. Fighting or physically harming someone won't make anything better, and it has its consequences. Fighting has a dual effect since it has the capacity to physically and emotionally harm people, whether it's the victims, those who standby, or the family and friends of those involved. Don't fight fire with fire.

13. Suicide is not the answer.

Suicide harms more people than just the person committing it. It has a strong and lasting effect on everyone around you, as made apparent by the series. Everyone is loved, everyone has a purpose, and everyone has a life waiting to be lived ahead of them. There are always other options, so do not be afraid to reach out to others for help. Things can and will get better over time, and we are all stronger than our past and the problems we've had. Even at our weakest moment, we are stronger than we think, and we can get through it.

If you haven't read the book "13 Reasons Why" or watched the series, I highly encourage you to do both. It will change the way you think, act, and speak and will help you to become more aware of the consequences of everything you do and say. It implicitly teaches you the signs to look for when someone may be suicidal and will have a lasting impact on the way you live your life.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Christmas tree
Librarian Lavender

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Christmas is one of my personal favorite holidays because of the Christmas traditions my family upholds generation after generation. After talking to a few of my friends at college, I realized that a lot of them don't really have "Christmas traditions" in their family, and I want to help change that. Here's a list of Christmas traditions that my family does, and anyone can incorporate into their family as well!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Phases Of Finals

May the odds be ever in your favor.

1314
Does anybody know how to study
Gurl.com

It’s here; that time of year when college students turn into preschoolers again. We cry for our mothers, eat everything in sight, and whine when we don’t get our way. It’s finals, the dreaded time of the semester when we all realize we should have been paying attention in class instead of literally doing anything else but that. Everyone has to take them, and yes, unfortunately, they are inevitable. But just because they are here and inevitable does not mean they’re peaches and cream and full of rainbows. Surviving them is a must, and the following five phases are a reality for all majors from business to art, nursing to history.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition

10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

2738
How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition
Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

It’s that time of year again when college students live at the library all week, cramming for tests that they should have started studying for last month. Preparing to spend all day at the library takes much consideration and planning. Use these tips to help get you through the week while spending an excessive amount of time in a building that no one wants to be in.

Keep Reading...Show less
girl roommates
StableDiffusion

Where do we begin when we start talking about our roommates? You practically spend every moment with them, they become your second family and they deal with you at your best and at your absolute worst. They are there to make you laugh just a little harder, cry a little less and make each day a little better. We often forget to thank them for the little things that they do to make college even a tiny bit easier and more fun. This list of 26 things are what you should thank your roommates for right this minute and every day that you live with them.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

20 Thoughts While Studying For Finals

I may or may not be stressing right now.

2800
Thoughts While Studying For Finals
StableDiffusion


That time of the semester has arrived once again, finals. The worst week ever. Who thought it was a good idea for all your classes to have exams all in the same week? Definitely not me. Here's 20 thoughts you may have studying for finals.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments