The classic American TV series of the 90s, Friends, may not be from your generation, but I guarantee you’ve heard of it, and you might have even watched it multiple times on Netflix. It became one of the most popular TV shows of all time for a reason. The show revolves around the lives of six main characters, Monica, Rachel, Phoebe, Ross, Chandler, and Joey, who live in Manhattan, New York. Their lives mainly revolve around relationships, work, daily life, and living together in a shared apartment. The interactions among the six friends are both complex and humorous, and each character is portrayed with a unique and realistic personality, making it easy for viewers to relate to them.
As an editor and a passionate fan of Friends, I especially identify with Phoebe’s bold and quirky personality. I admire the iconic ’90s fashion of the three female lead characters, and I appreciate how every episode brings me immense joy. I also appreciate how each episode has a “dead-on” yet realistic life lesson. It’s amazing how the show humorously conveys these life lessons and makes us feel like life isn’t so bad after all.
“Welcome to the real world, it sucks, but you are gonna love it.”
– Monica Geller
Life is meant to be a celebration, but we all have to work and deal with stress. Aside from that, we have friends, family, loved ones, and furry companions to keep us company. We can get together on holidays, enjoy a walk by the beach on a beautiful day, or take a long vacation together to see the world. Life is actually pretty great, isn’t it?
“I wish I could, but I don’t want to.”
– Phoebe Buffay
This is a great phrase for adults to use when saying no to others. It is both socially adept and honest. Phoebe teaches us to never do anything that goes against our conscience. If we want to help, we should help; if we don’t want to help, we can refuse politely and humorously (awkward for the other person). The important thing is not to compromise ourselves.
“You can eat and eat, but nothing will ever fill the void.”
– Will Colbert
Have you ever indulged in food when feeling down? The intention is to turn sorrow into appetite, but the more you eat, the emptier you feel, and in the end, you only gain weight and double the pain. Be a strong woman and face reality head-on! There are infinite joys to explore in life, and there will always be something that suits you to fill the void.
“It’s like, all of my life, everyone has always told me, ”You are a shoe! You are a shoe! You are a shoe! You are a shoe!” And today I just stopped and I said, “What if I don’t want to be a shoe? What if I want to be a purse or a hat?”
– Rachel Green
Women without opinions are often easily led around like puppets, as if they are handing their lives over to others. Rachel used to be like that too, but in the show, she boldly ran away from her wedding, stopped being a princess, and stopped relying on her parents. She lived a self-sufficient life and eventually went from being a coffee shop waitress to a manager at a famous store. She even got invited to work in France at another famous store. So, if you dare to step out of your comfort zone, fight for what you want, actively change yourself and your life, you will eventually get what you want.
“Sure, I have my bad days, but then I remember what a cute smile I have.”
– Chandler Bing
Life isn’t always perfect, but as long as you remember the things that make you happy, that’s enough! (You can also recall your friends’ embarrassing moments when feeling down, and it’s guaranteed to make you laugh immediately.)
“Why don’t you stop worrying about sounding smart and just be yourself?”
– Monica Geller
In this scene, Monica tells Joey, who is looking for a job, to be true to himself rather than using complex vocabulary. This reminds us not to try to please others by over-packaging ourselves, as it will only make us look fake and won’t be appreciated. The most attractive thing about a person is always their sincerity. If someone doesn’t like the real you, then it’s their loss.
“Patience is the road to understanding, which is the key to a happy heart.”
– Phoebe Buffay
When you argue with your loved one, refer to Phoebe’s words. Always keep your patience for your loved ones and avoid unnecessary conflicts.
“It’s a Sunday. I don’t move on Sundays.”
– Chandler Bing
This is definitely the life philosophy that I share with Chandler the most! Relax when you can, why not? If you want to make plans with me, please do it from Monday to Saturday. Thank you!
Do you have a favorite life lesson from the quotes above? If not, it doesn’t matter. I sincerely recommend that you watch Friends when you have free time or when you’re feeling down. You’re welcome to leave a comment and tell me which quote or scene you love the most. (If you’re watching it for the first time, I’m willing to wait for you to watch all ten seasons before discussing it together!)
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