Last week, the world was blessed with the premiere of the trailer for “Bridget Jones’s Baby." Everything about it was flawless: the plotline, the characters, and of course, Patrick Dempsey (aka Dr. McDreamy). You can watch the trailer here if you haven’t had the pleasure of seeing it yet. While we impatiently wait for the movie to premiere later this year, let’s remind ourselves why "Bridget Jones" is so important in the first place. The first movie isn’t just another romantic comedy; it is an iconic film that contains valuable lessons for women. Here’s a list of life lessons that “Bridget Jones’s Diary” taught me:
1. There will be times in life when you need just need to be alone.
In the age of social media where everyone tends to make their lives look endlessly fabulous and entertaining, a good night in alone is rarely appreciated. Bridget Jones (Renée Zellweger) helped me realize that sometimes it’s ok to spend a night lying on your couch in your pajamas, whether you’re watching tv or passionately lip-synching “All By Myself."
2. Never be afraid to put yourself out there and try something new.
Bridget Jones knew when it was time for her to make some changes in her life, and she didn’t let anything get in her way. When she realized it was time for her to quit her job and start fresh, she didn’t sell herself short. She ended up getting a job in television and was up for anything, even if that meant sliding down a fireman’s pole.
3. It’s important to know what you want, and what you don’t want, in a relationship.
When you’re single, sometimes it can be tempting to lower your standards so that you can be in a relationship. Bridget came to realize the difference between the man she wanted and the men she had dated in the past and decided it was time for a change. It’s extremely important to know not only what you want in a relationship, but what you need in a relationship as well.
4. Never be afraid to speak up for yourself.
Bridget was never one to let herself be treated unfairly. If someone was taking advantage of her or being rude, she was not afraid to confront them about it. She taught me that no matter what, you must always speak up for yourself and demand R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
5. Don’t waste your time on someone who doesn’t treat you as well as you deserve.
No matter how cute Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant) was, Bridget Jones learned that she deserved more than him. She wanted someone who would always be there for her and she refused to settle for anything less. Sure, it would’ve been easy for her to say yes and be in a relationship with him for a little while, but she knew it would be better to wait for a love that was worth her time.
6. If you are patient, you will find someone who loves you exactly the way you are.
Sure, it wasn’t exactly love at first sight between Bridget and Mark Darcy (Colin Firth). He was kind of rude and she was trying to get her life together. It took some time, but Mark finally came clean and told her that he liked her for who she was. Let this be a lesson to every single person out there: Don’t give up on love, because whether you know it or not, there is someone who will love you completely for yourself.
All in all, “Bridget Jones’s Diary” taught me that no matter how messy life might be, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. You just have to be willing to stand up and know what you deserve in order to get there. In case any of you want to learn these lessons firsthand, the movie is currently available on Netflix. Let’s all grab a snack, settle in, and enjoy while we anxiously await the arrival of “Bridget Jones’s Baby."
