Lena Dunham's Girls is an incredibly flawed show, everyone knows that. Despite its criticisms, the demographic it attracts and portrays still deserves respect.
Nonetheless, the show's dialogue and realistic characters make for some real, close-to-home moments that capture becoming an adult in the 21st century.
The show also provides many moments of clarity on how to live your life successfully in NYC. Let's revisit 15 of those moments, shall we?
1. Liberating yourself
We live in a society that tells us to be polite to people, no matter how uncomfortable we are. When we throw that logic out the window and turn down the things we don't want to do, we spend so much less time and energy being annoyed.
Besides, if someone attacks you for such a choice, they're probably not a good friend.
2. Learning how to cut the cord
New York might be a surprisingly lonely town, but there are ways to tackle it. However, it all starts with bringing down our barriers of insecurity.
As well, sometimes we'd rather keep bad friends than risk being alone to find better ones. Do what you need to do to be happy in the end, even if it means being unhappy in the meantime.
3. Admitting what everyone else feels, too
The spike in anxiety disorders and depression really says something about the times we live in.
Older generations like to say it's because we're sheltered, but they didn't grow up with us. And it's often hard to remember that we all share many of the same experiences. Embrace them and help each other out.
4. Growing up a little later
Whether we learn it early on or only when we move from home, this disillusionment is a hard one to come to terms with.
Although it makes total sense, it's still horrifying to learn your real place in the world after being surrounded by a supportive family. Most of the time, we don't want a pat on the back. Just someone to listen.
5. Appreciating your own accomplishments
Did you cook one of your first independent meals? Then you better celebrate that!
Always find a reason to be proud of yourself, because there are plenty of people in the world who haven't done something you've done. You're one step closer to conquering adulthood and that deserves a drink.
6. The root of everything we're doing
It's the simplest of phrases and one of the most basic human instincts, but everything we do comes from a desire to avoid unhappiness.
Sure, many people's intentions get lost in their actions, but it's all we want. To make this one life, we have to live a happy one.
7. The real reason we don't care what anyone else says
No one knows our own weaknesses like we do ourselves. Many of us have that facade of not giving a sh*t, but that's just because we care too much about what we think about ourselves.
And it's not very positive, most of the time. It's a hard emotion to get over, but it comes with being on your own for the first time.
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8. That recurring desire to throw in the towel and cry
Deep down, we all know no one will ever tell us how things should go because there is no one path life should take.
Nonetheless, those days come where “lost” can't even begin to describe how we feel.
We look at the adults around us, as if they've conquered life. The truth is, they still don't know what they should do. Just what they want to do.
9. This universal sensation for people of all genitalia
This feeling can happen anywhere. Did you just get the job of your dreams? Did you lose your keys? Did you just discover your partner cheated on you?
We've all that feeling of shock run down your body and out the tips of your toes. Even those without vaginas can imagine their heart just plopping out some orifice.
10. The consequences of this generation's stress
No jobs, no housing, anxiety, poverty, self-hate, etc. All of this stress can and will take a toll on us some way, eventually.
Some of us curl up and cry and some of us will start to wear our anxiety like makeup. In that way, self-care has never been more important.
11. The tough love we need sometimes
As nice as it is to hear someone understands how we feel, finding that won't solve our problems.
We can cry and complain only for a little while, but, eventually, we have to get up and show life who's boss.
As much as we crave it, we don't get credit for trying in the real world. Wipe off the tears and kick some ass, will ya?
12. How to stop wasting time
In turn, there's a constructive way to take the tough love treatment.
It takes a lot of energy to focus on your failures and cry. However, we only have so much energy in life, and maybe it would be better spent working harder.
Don't talk about your plans, execute them. Because someone else will if you don't.
13. Your friends' bad ideas
The eternal question: is it better to support a friend no matter what or constructively criticize them?
What a time it is where creating a job has almost become easier than finding one. Hence, everyone's got an idea and everyone's got a startup. Not everything is going to succeed, so should we help nip the bad ideas in the bud or always hope for a friend's success?
14. The desperate search for praise
It's embarrassing to admit, but there are times where we just want a little credit for not screwing up.
Yes, it doesn't make sense, because one should be praised for not being bad. But it would still be nice, sometimes. Although, honestly, it's mostly an excuse to avoid punishment.
15. Taking care of ourselves
At the end of the day, your life is about you and what you want. That doesn't have to mean living just in search of pleasure, but how you live should be the way you want.
Never let anyone or anything toxic get in the way of that because that makes your life about someone else. Take care of yourself. Because being comfortable with yourself will also help people around you feel more comfortable.