Are you ready, kids?!
This is a kids' show on Nickelodeon that is rumored to actually have been intended for adults. Whatever the point of this cartoon sponge is, a shockingly large amount of the population has watched Spongebob Squarepants at some point, in some form. It's a cultural phenomena that's spread to the point of becoming a universal reference point. Look no further for some of the most central episodes and lessons in our young lives.
1. Enthusiasm is everything.
2. Important Marketing Strategies
New job in marketing? Stop your search for a tutorial video – "Chocolate with Nuts" is the episode for you. Still not sure what the successful business take away is . . . but you can figure out which strategy you like best.
3. How to recognize business scams
Don't fall for the Karate Island gimmick and wind up on Timeshare Island instead. Those infomercials can be tempting, but we all know it's a trap. Thanks for taking one for the team, Spongebob!
4. The realities of making a relationship work
It's all about the honeymoon phase when you first bring the clam home, but then the reality of making everything work hits. Every couple has to split the responsibilities evenly – don't be a Patrick and work "overtime" eating ice cream out of your briefcase.
5. Normal is overrated.
Hi, how are ya. Spongebob taught us the deep lesson that changing yourself for the sake of someone else never ends well. Don't conform and compromise -- embrace your holes, square shape, general sponge-y-ness, and stay weird!
6. Don't mess with superstition.
You don't have to be a subscriber to "Fake Science Monthly," but Squidward shows us all what happens when you aren't at least respectful of superstitions. Still practicing my circles to keep away those Sea Bears.
7. SAT-level synonyms
platitudinous (adj.) : boring, dull, drab You know what, I didn't before, but after learning this gem of a five-syllable word from Spongebob, I throw around platitudinous when I want to sound smart. It's basically an educational show!
8. Manners
We are too, Man Ray. And thanks to this episode, we all benefited from the villain's walk-through of basic manners.
9. Never quit
If there's one thing Spongebob's many attempts at Boating School intrinsically taught us young viewers, it's that giving up is not an option. Sorry to the Mrs. Puffs out there -- any well-versed Spongebob fan is gonna be back again and again until they get it right!
10. Love your pets
As we all learned in the tear-jerking episode when he goes missing, the Garys of our lives are incredibly important. Don't take the pets in your house for granted! Walk them, feed them, and love them plenty.
11. Homemade gifts are the best kind.
Squidward was never appreciative enough of the time Spongebob put into making him things. Unique gifts are the best ones to give!
12. Proper Verb Conjugations
Grammar is hard, but it doesn't have to be as hard as Wumbology (the study of Wumbo). Who hasn't repeated Patrick's pronoun-to-verb match up while editing a paper at some point?
13. Face your fears.
Maybe you can't stand clowns or spiders -- or maybe Glovey Glove. Terrifying. But it's important to acknowledge those weird, irrational things that scare you and confront them. Pics or it didn't happen, Patrick.
14. Starting is Always the Hardest
Who can't relate to the struggle to get that looming project started? Nothing says guilty procrastination like putting too much effort into the unimportant pieces and pretending that's productivity. But once you get past the start, maybe you'll realize what you learned in boating school!
15. Everyone needs a little help sometimes.
Everyone gets those days when they're just feeling down. If it can happen to Spongebob, it can happen to the best of us! Chin up and go back to Lesson 1.
16. Embrace who you are.
An iconic scene on top of the pineapple under the sea. Spongebob showing us how to own it even on our worst days!
17. Good friends are everything.
Spongebob wouldn't be complete without Patrick. If you grew up with Spongebob, you grew up with this dynamic duo conquering life with silliness, positivity, and friendship. Now I know it's a stretch to suggest they're role models, but there's definitely a healthy friendship there that we all love to watch.
So . . . Spongebob. Relatable? Yup. Positive? Mhm. Life lessons? I think so. Basically, Spongebob has been a borderline educational show for all its viewers, young or old. Don't let anyone talk it down as a children's cartoon when it's obviously so much more. I hope this short list sparked many more favorite moments of nautical nonsense and something you wish.
