From TV and films to music, our generation was heavily influenced by pop culture. Everything we saw and heard as a child has stuck with us and affected who we are today. Growing up, we all received thrills from sneaking in to watch a PG-13 movie (not comprehending what most of the movie was even about).
Now, re-watching these films at an older age, mostly rom-coms or chick flicks, I, 1. understand and appreciate all of the subtle innuendos, and 2. see the lessons they instilled in me as an adolescent. Some of the most memorable quotes from these chick flicks are actually mottos we could apply to our own lives to better ourselves and our perspectives. Behind all the sex scenes and corny jokes there is actually some depth to these mushy films. Here are some quotes to live by:
1."Every story has an end. But in life, every ending is just a new beginning.” - Ray, Uptown Girls
This gem, spoken by 8-year-old Dakota Fanning, was a go-to for Senior Quotes. Whether it be the end of a relationship, friendship, job, etc., at the time it may seem like the end of the world but in reality these things ended for a reason, usually because something better is to come. A new chapter of life will begin where you can write your story using the lessons you learned from the previous chapter.
2. "We're not perfect. Any of us. We make mistakes, we screw up but then we forgive and move forward.” - Kim, The Last Song
Ah, Nicholas Sparks has such a way with words and never fails to pull on my heart strings. Kim’s words remind us to not be so hard on ourselves, which a lot of us tend to do. We’re human, mistakes are inevitable but forgiveness of ourselves is extremely important. We need to do this in order to grow and move on with our lives.
3. "You don’t always have to be who they want you to be, you know” - Katarina, 10 Things I Hate About You
We all face daily pressures to fit in and please others, but at the end of the day you should strive to be somebody that you are happy with, regardless of what others think. Don’t morph yourself into someone you’re not, just because you believe that is what's more acceptable to your peers. At the end of the day, you’re the person who spends the most time with yourself, so screw what others want you to be.
4.“The best thing you can do is find a person who loves you for exactly what you are. Good mood, bad mood, ugly, pretty, handsome, what have you, the right person will still think the sun shines out of your ass. That's the kind of person that's worth sticking with.” - Mac, Juno
By settling for Mr. or Ms. Right Now, you’re only selling yourself short. It really is worth the wait to find Mr. and Ms. Right and you just have to have faith that one day you will find them. We all deserve to be treated like princes or princesses and you really are cheating yourself by sticking with someone who treats you any less than that.
5.“You can’t live your life for other people. You’ve got to do what’s right for you, even if it hurts some people you love.” - Noah, The Notebook
At the end of the day you have to do what’s best for you and what makes you the happiest. It may not always please everyone in life but it will please the most important person in your life: yourself. So, live your life for YOU and stop stressing about what others think of your choices.
