We all have the one show that we will love until the day that we die, mine just so happens to be 'One Tree Hill'. I watched it all the time growing up in middle school and high school, but I know have rewatched it at least once a year since I have been in college. At first, it was just because I love the characters, but now it is something a little more than that. It may be considered a soap opera and a show for young adults, but I think that everybody can learn a thing or two from the show.
1. "Zero is not a size."
Brooke Davis coined this when she designed her clothing line. Some say it is skinny shaming, but for me, it is saying that you don't have to be that size to be beautiful. She saw that a majority of the fashion industry was focusing on girls who were skinny and not the average girl. Her catchphrase wasn't to put others down for their size, but rather to give girls some confidence to show off who they were to and to be proud of what they looked like.
2. "Hoes over bros."
Another one we can thank Brooke Davis for is her saying, which takes part in her clothing line "Clothes Over Bros." She and Peyton said it time and time again throughout the seasons, but when she made it into her clothing line it went viral. For her and Peyton it meant putting your girlfriends before any boy, no matter who he was. This is something I think girls these days could really learn from because they are all about being with a guy and finding their self-worth in men, but really the one place that you will always be able to run to is your friends. They will lift you up and be there for you no matter what.
3. Family is forever.
Even though they may have had their ups and downs, Hailey and Nathan showed you that true love does exist, and you can work through anything. To some people, it was stupid that they got married in high school and then they worked it out after she left to go on tour, but they made it work.
4. You NEVER know what is going on with another person.
This one is a continuing lesson throughout the entire series, but I think the main episode that it comes from is the school shooting. Jimmy who was played out in the first couple of seasons as a nice guy who loves sports and being around friends, but then things turn for him. Things change around the school and he feels lost, alone, and left out. His words, "I just.. I wanted them to like me," will ring in all of our ears for a long time. This comes to show that no matter how much you think you know, you really don't. Things happen behind closed doors everyday that you never see and sometimes it only takes one person to do one small thing for everything in somebody's life to change.
5. You can get the guy.
Oh Naley. We all love you guys so much. You started out as the typical "bad boy and goody goody" relationship, which later on bloomed into something we all love. All of these shows are out broadcasting that the pretty one always gets what she wants and the "less fortunate" just kind of have to stand by and watch, BUT that is not the case for this show. So ladies, and gentlemen, keep your heads held high and know that there is hope for you.
6. Working girls are where it is at.
Karen owns the cafe and has since Lucas was a tiny human. Haley, even though it cost her some valuable time with her high school sweetheart and oh so delectable husband, she followed her dreams and went on tour, recorded and wrote songs. Brooke started up her own company for goodness sake. This show has not only shown us how to love unconditionally and the importance of friendship, but that in this day in age being a woman is no reason for you to not go after your dreams. Reach for the stars my ladies, reach for the stars.
7. Yes, bad things do happen to good people.
Now, this is for sure a reoccurring plot line in this show. Every single character has had bad things happen to them. Keith, looses his shop, Karen says no (in the beginning), and Jules runs away. Peyton, lost her mom at a young age, lost her birth mom not too long after meeting her, Jake leaves, and her list could go on and on. Lucas, inherits the heart issues from Dan, never seems to be able to hold on to a girl (until the end-ish). Literally all of these things happen to these wonderful people, but they never let them define who they are, but merely play a part in who they become.
8. Have fun!
In the earlier seasons, and even throughout the show, they all struggle with their own issues. Whether their issues be death, drug addiction, injuries, family drama, literally anything, at the end of the day, those are the things who make each and every one of them into who they are, not who they will be. Take the Secret Winter Classic in the third season, Brooke had the opportunity to have her clothes seen at the Rouge Vouge fashion show but she opted to stay young and be with her friends and teammates. Even though they messed up the routine, they all still had fun and didn't let it get the best of them.