If you're like Peter Bretter, and think Samantha Jones is solely a sex icon, you are sadly mistaken.
Samantha embodies the strength and power every woman is fully capable of, yet society still has trouble understanding and accepting. The moment a woman mentions anything about sex, her body, or masturbation, she is so quickly deemed slutty, loose, or "not the type you bring home to mama." There is a multi-billion dollar porn industry intended for daily male pleasure and everyone accepts that.
But, when television FINALLY provides us with a sex positive female who is a smart, professional powerhouse, many only see a sex-addicted slut. And so, I present you with 18 moments where Samantha Jones said or did something we could all learn from:
1. She doesn't waste time worrying about the haters because they'll unfailingly find a reason to talk.
Like every smart Public Relations executive, she recognizes that all publicity is good publicity and is always finding a way to capitalize on the critics.
2. She won't squander a minute dwelling or overanalyzing things that can't be undone.
She keeps her chin up, going forward, never regretting her mistakes because they have helped her get to where she is today.
3. She doesn't allow shaming of her sexuality or body image due to the ways she enjoys dressing and pleasuring herself.
4. She's open-minded.
She wants to try new things and take control of new experiences. The worst that can happen: she didn't enjoy herself. The best that can happen: she *really* enjoyed herself (more than 6 times).
5. She is never too nervous to eat at a public gathering.
A real lady eats when she wants, how she wants, and what she wants with whomever she wants.
6. She sees through the bullshit.
She'll tell you that many people know how to play the game, but it's up to you to challenge your ignorance and look beyond the earth-shattering sex, grade A humor, and perfectly chiseled jawline. Everyone is flawed, so the better they are at hiding it, the faster you should run.
7. She recognizes that we all have the same self-deprecating, fearful voices in our heads but it's up to us to decide whether we'll listen to them.
8. Age, size, weight-none of it matters to her. She can rock a plastic CVS bag with her cascading self-love and confidence.
9. She's all about self-pleasure and isn't afraid to say it.
She uses the extra bit of time in her busy,
10. She spends her hard earned money however she pleases, without asking anyone for permission. She proudly wins both the bread she eats and the Manolo Blahnik's she struts in.
11. She welcomes confrontation and honesty.
What you have to say about her behind her back is petty and useless. If you say it to her face, however, you will earn her respect.
12. She puts her heart first.
It's all too easy to lose sight of what you deserve as a result of wanting to please your partner. She finds the strength to make herself a priority again, even if it means giving up her greatest love(s).
13. She is blunt and to the point. She believes a real friend will beat around the fluff, telling you what you need to hear instead of what you want to hear.
14. She's adventurous and fun, always down for a game of dress-up, pushing you to get out of your comfort zone.
15. She teaches you to fight through painful and awkward experiences, rather than running out on them.
She's learned that facing struggles head on may be uncomfortable, but the way you handle them is what matters in the long term.
16. She rejects superficial labels and stereotypes.
She wants you to form an analysis by reading the full novel, not skimming a few pages of the chapter you walked in on.
17. She chose to fight and find a greater love of life through her illness.
This ultimately led to a greater grasp of understanding who she could rely on and open her heart to. Not to mention, she realized she didn't need to disguise what she was going through.
18. She values her friendships above all else.
She knows through their lives the girl squad will experience new beginnings, changes, priorities, and hardships, but at the end of the day, they are family. And family is forever.
I hope the femininely badass instances above showcase exactly why Samantha is a realistically positive, female image for young women and men. If you leave this article wanting more of Samantha, I urge you to watch the "Sex and the City" series fully through. I still theorize that my longest lasting relationship in college was so successful because my boyfriend loved watching "Sex and the City" with me (and without me). He said it taught him so much about women, relationships, and sex. So, when you find yourself needing to make an important decision, I hope you say W.W.S.J.D. (what would Sam Jones do?) and act on your judgement!
