So it's January 2017 and everyone's timelines have been full of "new year, new me" for the last few weeks. While the new year is all about new beginnings, try to focus on what's important: a life full of love, new experiences, self-acceptance and happiness. This year, instead of setting unrealistic goals for yourself -- like becoming a yoga-fanatic overnight -- let's look back at the important life lessons our four favourite New Yorkers taught us:
1. It's important to be like Samantha Jones.
Samantha will give you the reality check you need without beating around the bush. She'll give you the brutal honesty you need to hear and teach you how perfectly okay it is to be 100% you - no matter what #NoFilter. Samantha carries herself as strong and confident -- never second guessing herself -- but overall she's a true friend who is always there to help, love and support.
2. And to never be like Miranda.
Is it just me or does Miranda's character make you extremely uncomfortable? She's aggressive, straightforward, rude and I guess everything you'd want in a lawyer -- but not always what you look for in a person. I will give her the benefit of the doubt, she's a loyal friend and always has the girls' best interests at heart -- she just never seems to have her own.
3. It is always okay to say "yes."
If there's one thing this show has taught us, it's to never be afraid to say yes -- to try new things, new people, new shoes. You don't truly start living until you start saying yes. Carrie devoted an entire episode to just saying yes to everything -- whether it was an invite or a question. She stopped and realized that, "you can't stop being who you are because you're afraid." Say yes!
4. But even more important to know when to say "no."
It's important to know what's good for you, and who. Don't let @$$#0!3$ walk all over you. Be strong, be confident and know when to speak up. This show teaches ladies that you're not doing anyone any favours by pretending to be okay with something that you are so not okay with. As a woman it's important to always voice your opinion and not live life in the passenger seat.
5. Some people just high-key suck and aren't worth your energy.
"I feel the same way as you feel about Botox. Painful and unnecessary." No where, is there any sort of rule stating that we have to put up with people we don't like. So don't. You don't need to pretend you're still friends with someone you've had nothing in common with since high school. People grow apart, and some more mature than others. No one likes the fake girl who's friends with everybody -- so cut the bull$h!# and cut them from your life.
6. It's okay to make mistakes.
We all make mistakes -- what makes us who we are is how we approach the issue and learn from those mistakes. Sex and the City shows us that no one is perfect, and it's okay to be you. We're all learning and growing at completely different paces. Don't let one mistake define who you are. Confront the issue, take responsibility and make the necessary changes that will allow you to grow as a person -- because as Carrie would say, "some labels are best left in the closet."
7. Because your girlfriends will literally always have your back.
What are friends for, if not to help pick you back up when you're down. They are the one's who will be there through thick and thin -- who will love you unconditionally and support you even if [and when] you're in the wrong. No matter what kind of hardship you're facing your girlfriends will be the one's to get you back on your feet. Good friends will show up to listen, but great friends make a pit-stop at LCBO on their way over.
8. Your prince charming actually exists - he just might not be the cookie cutter version we see in Disney movies.
This might be the hopeless romantic in me speaking, but I believe that he is actually out there for each and every woman. He should be someone who cares about you, treats you with sympathy and respect, laughs with you and cries with you. You might argue and you might need your own space - like Carrie and Big - but at the end of the day you're each others' best friend and you couldn't imagine life without them.
9. You deserve to be spoiled.
Because as women we put up with a lot of $h!#. No matter how down about yourself you may feel, you deserve the world. Don't let anyone tell you less or treat you otherwise. Women thrive off of love and affection. We deserve to be spoiled and to spoil those we love -- don't settle for anything less. Just feed us, love us and give us a really big closet.
But most importantly... Sex and the City taught us:
10. To love yourself first.
Be picky! Set your standards high! The biggest piece of relationship advice was from Samantha when she broke up with her long-term boyfriend, Smith Jerrod. It's important to know when to stay and when to go - Samantha showed us that although you love someone, that doesn't necessarily mean that you should be with them. Always, always, always love yourself first.
