June 6 marked the 20th anniversary of the premiere of "Sex and the City," and as a huge fan of the series, I couldn't help but wonder, "How can I celebrate this fabulous occasion?" (See what I did there? If not, I beg you to get on Amazon Prime and begin the series immediately.) I was an infant when the series premiered in 1998, but Carrie and company came into my life this past spring when I was looking for something new to watch in my free time. "SATC" light-hearted and fun, but I found that amidst the humor, fashion and relationship drama, there are plenty of lessons to be learned from the characters. As a result, I celebrated the show's 20th anniversary by compiling six (in honor of the show's six seasons) of the most important life lessons that "Sex and the City" has taught fans over the past 20 years.
Be confident in who you are.
"Attack of the Five-Foot-Ten Woman" (Season 3, Episode 3)
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/490329478172413631/?lp=trueEveryone is special in his or her own way, so hold your head up high. Stop comparing yourself to others, too. Be yourself, and don't worry about what other people think or say. At the end of the day, all that really matters is what you think about yourself, so block out the negativity and live a life that YOU are proud of.
Never apologize for being successful.
"The Caste System" (Season 2, Episode 10)
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/268527196512041419/?lp=trueThere's absolutely nothing wrong with being proud of yourself and your accomplishments. You've worked hard for your success, so celebrate it! That being said, celebrating your success doesn't mean bragging or being boastful. Be humble, but don't let others put you down or make you feel guilty for your success either.
It's totally OK to be a shopaholic as long as you make sure to save some money, too.
"Ring A Ding Ding" (Season 4, Episode 16)
https://www.bustle.com/articles/45401-7-iconic-carrie-bradshaw-shoe-moments-on-sex-and-the-cityTREAT YOURSELF (within reason). There's nothing wrong with splurging on a new outfit or pair of shoes every once a while. However, don't go overboard. Instead of spending your entire paycheck on Manolo Blahniks like Carrie, operate on a budget and save a portion of every paycheck. That way, you'll ensure that you always have enough money for what you need and some for what you want, too.
When you fall down in life, pick yourself up and keep on going.
"The Real Me" (Season 4, Episode 2)
https://makeagif.com/gif/carrie-falls-and-gets-back-up-fD-o9wThroughout your life, you are going to face countless obstacles. You'll inevitably fail at something, and that's okay! It's a part of life. Don't let those obstacles discourage you, though. Instead of dwelling on your mistakes and failings, work to do better in the future and put your best effort into everything that you do. By picking yourself up and dusting yourself off, you've already taken the first step toward success.
Your friends can be your true soulmates.
"The Agony and the 'Ex'-tacy" (Season 4, Episode 1)
GiphyGenerally speaking, you probably associate the word "soulmate" with romance. You may even think of a couple who loves each other unconditionally and is there for each other no matter what. However, Charlotte encouraged us to challenge this mindset and see our friends as our soulmates. While the idea may seem foreign at first, it actually makes total sense! If our friends are there for us through thick and thin and accept us for who we are, we grow to love them as soulmates, too. Although friendship involves a different kind of love, it's safe to say that we all have more than one soulmate, and your soulmates can include both your friends and your significant other.
Don't forget to work on the relationship you have with yourself.
"An American Girl In Paris: Part Deux" (Season 6, Episode 20)
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/sarah-pike/4-fabulous-sex-and-the-ci_b_7664698.html
While your relationships with others are important, remember that the relationship you have with yourself is just as important, if not more important. This goes back to being confident in who you are, but it also involves chasing happiness. Never settle for a life that doesn't make you happy. Go after your goals and dreams, and don't be afraid of change, failure and taking risks. Like all relationships, the relationship you have with yourself takes work and will evolve throughout your entire life. However, the important thing is to love yourself no matter what. If you do, everything else will fall into place, and you may even find people who love the you that you love - your soulmates.
If you want to watch (or re-watch) "Sex and the City," you catch occasional re-runs on E!, or if you have Amazon Prime, you can watch the entire series online!