Every day, we come home from work or school to rest and unwind from the stresses of everyday life. We immerse ourselves in the plots of our favorite television shows and the character arcs in movies and books. It’s how we escape reality; we can visit a fantastical world populated by dragons and witches or a comedic one populated by funny scientists and large families.
We’ve developed a list of the finest life lessons we’ve learned from the big and small screens below.
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Good Will Hunting (1997)
The film Good Will Hunting tells the story of a university janitor named Will (played by Matt Damon), who is a math prodigy. He has, however, had one too many run-ins with the law, and his only hope for atonement is Dr. Sean, an equally talented psychotherapist (the late Robin Williams).
The motivation for Will’s troubling behaviour, as well as Dr Sean’s own inner torment, are revealed in a series of therapy sessions. It’s one of the best motivating films about facing your fears and confronting your history since you will only be able to go forward.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)
Few films in the coming-of-age genre have come close to The Perks of Being a Wallflower in terms of inspirational content. It follows Charlie (Logan Lerman), an introvert, during his freshman year of high school. While he appears to be calm on the surface, he is actually dealing with his closest friend’s recent suicide as well as his traumatic past.
Sam (Emma Watson) and Patrick (Ezra Miller), two devil-may-care seniors, take him under their wing on a roller coaster journey. They learn to rely on one another to go through the highs and lows of adolescence throughout a school year.
BoJack Horseman (2014-2020)
Without a question, BoJack Horseman is one of the best adult animated cartoons of all time. It takes place in a strange world where anthropomorphic animals interact with humans (as if it were no big thing), and the eponymous character is a washed-up actor with more problems than Vogue. He’s also something of an antihero, which makes him more relatable — but also more infuriating at times.
In any case, you’d be curious to see how things pan out for him. In a word, the entire plot revolves around whether some individuals (or animals, if you prefer) are truly beyond redemption or whether it is ever too late to change one’s life.
Furthermore, its candid conversations on mental health, gender and sexuality, the dark side of fame, and other topics make it one of the top Netflix shows to watch. Oh, and there are a few Hollywood celebrities in there, too!
Palm Springs (2020)
Aside from global curfews and anxiety-inducing cabin fever, 2020 was a banner year for inspirational films. Take, for example, Palm Springs, which is located in the well-known Southern California vacation city. After entering a vortex in the desert, Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti play two wedding guests trapped in a temporal loop.
They pull all sorts of dangerous pranks and make decisions with no consequences because they are forced to relive the same day over and over again. It’s all fun and games until they realize it’s just a toxic technique to avoid confronting their sad history.
It addresses the concept of romance and the things that come with it: fear, regret, and mistrust. It is one of the most viewed Hulu Original films.
The West Wing (1999-2006)
The West Wing is your best chance for characters that encourage self-improvement among cult classic must-watch TV shows. In a society where many people have become jaded about politics, the entire plot functions as escapist fiction.
The majority of the action takes place at the White House, under the administration of fictional Democrat president Jed Barlet (played by Martin Sheen). His senior counsellors are always by his side, walking as rapidly as they talk.
These main characters are, without a doubt, the most lovable workaholics on television. When their responsibilities come in the way of their personal lives, you’ll undoubtedly feel both sorry for them and admiration for them.
But, hey, if you work for a boss who is equally as dedicated to his job as you are, it’s probably worth it, right? This series is a breath of fresh air from cynical political dramas generally plagued by irredeemably problematic characters, regardless of where you stand on the political spectrum.
While the wisdom of the 1980s and 1990s lives on in our hearts, more current TV series continues to provide a lot of valuable life advice.
The following is a list of five shows that teach us vital life lessons. As you may have noticed, the primary characters in these inspirational films and must-see TV shows are not your typical flawless heroes. Instead, they’re nuanced, flawed, and, most importantly, relatable in their own right. So, are you currently dealing with issues you must address head-on? Or is it just a way to feel better? In any case, we hope you find what you’re looking for after watching them! And maybe, just maybe, you’ll get closer to being your most authentic self.
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Also, read:
- 6 Important Life Lessons Schitt’s Creek Taught Us
- Greatest Life Lessons from F.R.I.E.N.D.S. TV show
- From Nada To Prada: Career Lessons To Learn From Miranda Priestly