Many of you might have read this headline and rolled your eyes, but I can honestly say that I have learned more than the definition of VFib or how to put in a chest tube from watching "Grey's Anatomy." This show is filled with friendship, heartbreak, love, drama and action, while also giving us some very valuable life lessons along the way. Here is a list of things I’ve learned from (binge) watching "Grey's Anatomy."
1. Having a good group of people to hang out with, work with or even live with is key.
Meredith, George, Izzie, Cristina and Alex became a little family when they began their intern years. Sure, half the time they wanted to kill each other, but when it really came down to it they had each other’s back. For example: taking the blame for cutting Denny’s LVAD wire when in actuality it was only Izzie. I think I’ve done a pretty good job at surrounding myself with, “Greys approved” people.
2. It’s okay to not be happy all the time.
Sometimes you need to be a little “dark and twisty.” Meredith made it okay for people everywhere to not be little balls of sunshine all the time. She shows us that it’s okay to have a day or two when you’re gloomy and dark, as long as you don’t stay there forever.
3. Sometimes you just need to dance it out for everything to be okay.
Life can get pretty rough and demanding, but Mer and Cristina don’t let that get the best of them. A 30 second dance party is the cure to any twisty thought!
4. If you love someone, tell them. Even if bad things come of it or you don’t think it will work out, tell them.
Mark Sloan (R.I.P.) made every girl melt into a puddle when he said this line (nearly dead, may I sadly remind you). It showed us that if a guy like Mark Sloan could admit his feelings no matter the cost, we can too.
5. A promise is a promise.
When "MerDer" “got married” with their post-it note, they promised each other they would be there and never run. They promised to love each other even when they hated each other. And they promised it would be forever. And they kept each promise even when Meredith tampered with Derek’s clinical trial causing them to lose the trial and almost Zola. That’s love.
6. Everybody needs a person.
You can be the most independent person that has ever lived and still need someone to rely on. Meredith and Cristina are probably the two most independent characters on the show in my opinion, yet they rely on each other the most. Also, you need an emergency contact person so you might as well make a friend in the process. It's two birds with one stone, basically.
7. Hard work does pay off.
After binge watching and re-watching seasons one through 12, I’ve learned that Meredith, Alex, and Cristina worked their behinds off to get to where they’re at now. They didn’t spend their free time watching Netflix, they didn’t avoid being called on in class, and they certainly didn’t spend all of their time complaining about how tired they were. They worked like dogs for more than half of their lives to become something great.
8. Life doesn’t always go the way you plan, and that’s okay.
It’s not the end of the world. Its quite obvious that Meredith’s life turns out the complete opposite way she plans. For example, great boyfriend with great hair = married; can’t get pregnant with husband = ends up as single mom with three kids, neurosurgeon husband dies of head laceration, etc. She doesn’t let any of these things keep her down for too long, though. If Meredith can regain herself after losing the love of her life, (and his perfect hair), you can continue living after your crush read your message and didn't reply.
9.You are the sun.
This is probably the greatest piece of knowledge that I’ve taken from Greys. It reminds you not to lose yourself in the person you love. It also reminds you that you’re pretty awesome as well, and make sure your S.O. knows it. Don’t let any dreamy hair, “eclipse what you need.”
10. Life goes on.
This is most affiliated, the famous quote from Meredith’s mother, Ellis. She said, “The carousel never stops turning” when Richard left her. Meredith said, “the carousel never stops turning,” after Derek died. I like to think that this “carousel” is referring to how the earth never stops turning no matter the tragedy. Meredith, Ellis ,and every other character that faced struggles keep on because, "the carousel never stops turning," and life never stops turning.
