Media is one of the most prominent things that surrounds us. No matter what we do, we live in a world influenced by content. And while that can be good or bad, much of it depends on your personal relationship with the media you consume.
For me, shows and movies help me with two things: Understand life’s complexities, or simply relax and live through one of the characters I see on screen. And “Friends” is one of the shows that meets both my needs.
I’ve seen “Friends” probably a hundred times because it’s not just a show for me: it holds me when I feel like giving up. I soak every emotion that each character holds. And I aspire to traits from all the main characters. I want to be carefree like Joey; miraculously sarcastic like Chandler; soulfully sensitive like Phoebe; well organized like Monica; sometimes geeky like Ross; and, most importantly, passionate about my work like Rachel.
The show inspires me to have a mix of the main characters’ qualities and their meaningful relationships.
It rejuvenates me, warms my heart, and gets me to work for the right things. Every show and movie we watch builds a multi-layered wrap of thoughts. The more we pluck out the layers, the more we unravel and learn how they impact us.
Another show that greatly impacts me is “Emily in Paris.” The show sparks important conversations about work, love, work-life balance, and how, amidst all the things getting to your nerves, you are passionately crazy about what you do in a different city. And it shows us that, once we move out of our comfort zones, we lose out on a lot of things: home, family, friends, love, and more. But holding on to the thought of doing your best and working through it makes all the difference.
The show also talks about confidence and how we need that when we share our opinions.
The main character, Emily, uses her “American confidence” in Paris to blurt out her opinions and express herself freely. Through the show, Emily shows us the journey of a woman who had started life afresh. She shows us how to never give up, one of the most important lessons I’ve learned.
Finally, Anna Todd’s “After” series took me on a full merry-go-round about understanding love. It taught me about toxic relationships and how to find your happy ending. While I could not relate to the characters, I learned from the narratives, the plot, and – of course – the love story. And, as a love story, it invoked strong emotions in me. Sometimes, I’d feel overwhelmed by substantiated arguments of love and life, and its reliability as a whole.
Despite the challenges, all I’ve seen has contributed to my personal growth.
These are just a few examples of how the media has influenced my life. Art in all its forms impacts our mental health and content. And these days, it has the power to sway our minds from one extreme to the other. We just need to strike the right chord and play the music.
Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash
Media is an invaluable learning tool for sustainable cat owners, offering a wealth of knowledge and resources at our fingertips. From tips on eco-friendly litter choices to DIY sustainable cat toys, the media provides endless inspiration for nurturing our cats while minimising our carbon pawprint.