Like most college students, I came home for Thanksgiving break with the expectation that I would get tons of things done and be productive throughout the week.
This was only partly true – I did get all my Christmas decorations put up and I at least wrote down everything I have to get done in my planner – but for the most part, I scrolled through Facebook and watched movies until I fell asleep.
Productive? No. Relaxing? Yes.
One of the movies I ended up watching was “Legally Blonde” – a movie I hadn’t seen in years and one I watched on a whim because it was late and I didn’t want to go downstairs and find another DVD.
While watching it, I realized something I did not realize the first time I watched it in 2001 – there is so much to learn from “Legally Blonde.” Yes, it still holds a lot of the clichés that permeate throughout every early 2000s movie, but that movie has a ton of valuable life lessons, and here are 10 of them:
1. Always be yourself.
If you like pink glitter pens and heart-shaped notebooks, you use pink glitter pens and heart-shaped notebooks, and you use them with pride.
2. Never be afraid of challenges.
Elle Woods wasn’t, you shouldn’t be either.
3. Intelligence comes in all shapes and sizes.
Just because you don’t fit someone’s definition of “smart” doesn’t mean you aren’t brilliant.
4. People who cut you down and try make you feel worthless aren’t worth it.
Whether that’s a boyfriend or a friend, you don’t need that negativity in your life.
5. Being mean isn’t going to get you anywhere.
It didn’t work for Viviane, it isn’t going to work for you.6. Don’t be afraid to stand out.
Elle’s resume is pink and she sprays it with perfume. As unorthodox as that may be, it definitely gets her noticed.
7. Exercise is important.
“Exercise gives you endorphins, endorphins make you happy, happy people just don't shoot their husbands!” This is the line I think of every time I get on the treadmill. Do I have a husband yet? No. But one day I will and I presumably won’t kill him because of exercise.
8. Friendship and trust are important too.
Elle wouldn’t give up Brook’s alibi, no matter what, even if it made people angry, and in the process showed the rest of us that sometimes it’s more important to maintain a friendship and uphold someone’s trust than it is to get ahead in your career.
9. First impressions aren’t actually the be all end all.
So, one of my favorite scenes is when Professor Stromwell tells Elle that if she lets one person ruin her life, she’s not the girl she thought she was. It's one of my favorite scenes because Elle was so sure this professor hated her, and I’ve had that moment as well, and it’s just such a surreal experience when you realize they don't hate you and are actually rooting for you.
10. Anything is possible if you work hard enough.
Elle studies her ass off to get into Harvard law school, and as someone who holds unfulfilled childhood dreams of going to Harvard, seeing her get there is so inspirational. Aside from that, this idea can apply to all facets of life. If you’re going to get anywhere, it’s going to be through hard work.
