Wherever you fall on the spectrum of "misfit toys," from shy and socially adorkable Charlie to outgoing and fun-loving like Sam and Patrick and everything in between, The Perks of Being A Wallflower has a lesson for you. Charlie's journey eventually leads him to realize that in order to optimize life you must live in the moment surrounded by people who make you feel good and that is the key to feeling infinite. Here are 21 other helpful takeaways from The Perks of Being A Wallflower:
1. True friends will always accept and celebrate you for who you are (even with crazy ideas).
"Patrick, it's Sam. It's Sam talking to you, I'm begging you to drive me--" "Alright! I concede!" -Sam and Patrick, Perks of Being A Wallflower
2. Your family's bond is unbreakable and although you may not always like each other, you do love each other.
3. Sometimes it's something as simple as a song which is the key to bringing people out of their shell.
*cue Dexys Midnight Runners "Come On Eileen"
"Oh, my God. They're playing good music". "Holy Sh*t they are! They're playing good music...Living room routine?" "Living room routine!" - Sam and Patrick, Perks of Being A Wallflower
4. It's totally acceptable to embrace your weirdness once you find the right group of people
"Sam, you ever think that if people knew how crazy you really were, no one would ever talk to you?" -Charlie, Perks of Being A Wallflower
5. A gesture can sometimes mean more than words ever could.
6. Sometimes you HAVE to stand up for yourself no matter what the consequences are.
"Look, my name is Patrick. Either you call me Patrick or you call me nothing." - Patrick, Perks of Being A Wallflower
7. And a when the time comes, a true friend will risk it all to stand up for you no matter the consequences.
"You saved my brother, thats what you did." Sam, Perks of Being a Wallflower
8. At the end of the day, you are the master of your own fate.
9. "We accept the love we think we deserve."
10. Meeting new people can be totally intimidating.
"It's nice to meet you, Charlie. I'm Sam." Sam, Perks of Being a Wallflower
11... but once you put yourself out there, people come through.
"Well, we didn't think there were any cool people left to meet. So, everyone..." - Patrick, Perks of Being A Wallflower
12. As rough as life is, sometimes you need to celebrate literally anything you can.
"Woo! C Minus! It's over! It's over! Ladies and gentlemen, I am below average!"-Patrick, Perks of Being a Wallflower
13. And yes... true friends have your back no matter the rough patches.
14. High school ends and there IS a whole world outside of it waiting for you.
"I've been away for two months. It's another world. And it gets better." -Sam, Perks of Being a Wallflower
15. It's okay to cry. Even when its the last thing you want to be doing.
"I don't know if you've ever felt like that. That you wanted to sleep for a thousand years. Or just not exist." -Charlie, Perks of Being a Wallflower
16. And as much as it hurts, sometimes it's better to acknowledge the pain rather than ignore it.
"There were some very bad days... and some unexpectedly beautiful days"- Charlie, Perks of Being a Wallflower
17...Because right around the corner, there is a moment that will crush the pain make you feel so alive.
18. Being a wallflower is NOT a negative thing. It should be thought of as an advantage.
"To Charlie...We just want to toast our friend, you see things and you understand. You're a wallflower." - Patrick, Perks of Being a Wallflower
19. Sometimes you just need to do something put yourself out of your comfort zone while surrounded by your favorite people.
20. In life, it's okay to be completely overwhelmed by your own emotions.
“So, this is my life. And I want you to know that I am both happy and sad and I'm still trying to figure out how that could be.” -Charlie, Perks of Being a Wallflower (Book)
21. Live in each moment with all you have because one day it'll just be a fond but distant memory.
*cue David Bowie "Heroes"
"I can see it. This one moment when you know you're not a sad story. You are alive, and you stand up and see the lights on the buildings and everything that makes you wonder. And you're listening to that song and that drive with the people you love most in this world. And in this moment I swear, we are infinite." - Charlie, Perks of Being a Wallflower
That is how Perks of Being A Wallflower is going to help you live a little bit more infinitely.
Bonus tip: Find the tunnel song that will make YOU feel alive!
