I finished watching "13 Reasons Why" some hours ago, and to be honest, I'm still in shock. This is by far the best show I've ever seen. It was crude, real, eye-opening, heartbreaking, and painful. It was hard to watch some scenes; nothing is sugarcoated. But as hard as it was to watch, I learned so much from it. Here are some lessons we can all learn from this show:
1. Your version of the truth is not always the only version.
We are all different, and hence have different reactions to the same situation. We often hear the characters/reasons in the series accuse Hannah of lying on her tapes, but she definitely wasn't lying, maybe her perception of the facts and situations was just different. We definitely should never assume how a certain situation made someone else feel. When in doubt, it is always better to talk things and never assume.
2. Words have an amazing power to build or destroy.
What you say matters, I can't stress this enough. We have to be so careful with what we say! Maybe it's a joke or a remark that you wouldn't think could hurt someone, but you never know what's going on in that person's life. Be careful and be kind, it could save a life.
3. Don't be afraid to love.
One of the most heartbreaking tapes was Clay's. Clay didn't actually hurt Hannah, neither was he cruel to her, he was just afraid to love her. This was his mistake. Don't be afraid to love and to show that you love. Say it, and most importantly, show it.
4. There is more on the inside.
Zach is the perfect example that popularity isn't everything. Appearances aren't everything, and a smile can mask so much pain.
5. Compliments are important.
At a time, Hannah says that the compliments she found on the compliment bag where her light, and the only thing that kept her going trough her day. (Yeah, I also hated Zach so freaking much for doing what he did). Trust me when I say that a simple "I love your hair today", or "You have a nice smile" can turn someone's day around. Just notice the way Hannah's eyes light up when she sees the little bunnies.
6. The truth always comes to light.
Not only is this a Biblical/Universal law, but we see it so clearly illustrated throughout the complete series. Your actions have consequences, and if you're not ready to take responsibility for your actions, then don't act. The truth will be known sooner or later.
7. There is no excuse to hurt the people who trust you.
None. It's just unacceptable. Trust is difficultly earned, and easily lost. And once it's lost, it's hardly earned back. Betrayal is one of the worst feelings. Believe me, it hurts.
8. Speak up!
If you're battling anxiety, depression, or bullying, I want you know that you're not alone. Don't be afraid to talk about it, don't be ashamed. And if someone you know it's battling, don't ignore it. Let them know you're there for them. I promise they're not faking it to gain your attention, on the other hand, they're ashamed, and they need you.
I know they're many more lessons we can learn from this show. Let me know what other things you learned. If you haven't watched this show yet, I strongly advise you to watch it.
Side note: As good as this show is, I feel that I need to warn you that if you're battling anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts, this show can be triggering.
