If you've never watched "Sex And The City," you might be quick to judge it as just another superficial chick flick series centered around boy-crazy women, excessive shopping, and unnecessary drama. While these characteristics are present in some aspects of the show, they don't establish the central theme of the story. The series is about four New York women discovering professional success, love, and most importantly, themselves. Thus, here are the lessons that each of the characters has to offer.
1. Charlotte
Often portrayed as the high-maintenance princess of the friend group, Charlotte differs from the other girls as the least promiscuous character on the show. Despite her more conservative views on both physical and emotional relationships, Charlotte holds her ground when peer-pressured to step outside of her comfort zone. She shows that it's okay to be modest and less adventurous compared to your friends and that you shouldn't let the opinions of others affect your own moral beliefs. And by being extremely picky when it comes to men, she reminds me that if I'm not willing to hold myself to a high standard, no one else will, either.
2. Miranda
A Harvard graduate and reputable lawyer, Miranda embodies the essence of a working woman. Throughout the series, Miranda discovers the importance of balancing work with personal relationships, demonstrating that prioritizing your job differs from letting it take over all other aspects of your life. Her reluctance to accept true love because of her professional goals reveals that no amount of success will be meaningful if you don't have the people you care about to share it with. Moreover, Miranda reminds me that it's okay to enjoy yourself once in a while and that your professional life shouldn't be the only thing that brings meaning to your personhood.
3. Samantha
Samantha is without a doubt the fiercest character on the show. Taking confident charge of both her personal and professional lives, she proves that women are capable of being just as, if not more, powerful than men. She constantly challenges social taboos by speaking overtly about sex and sexist stereotypes, displaying an admirably unapologetic personality. Overall, Samantha taught me that it's okay to be a little selfish and that the most important relationship in your life shouldn't be the one with any man or woman, but the one with yourself.
4. Carrie
Perhaps the most relatable character on the show, Carrie journeys to find direction in life and confidence in herself. Caught in a seemingly endless cycle of falling in love and getting her heart broken, she struggles to define what it means to have the perfect relationship. Some of the decisions she makes on her way to discovering true love are questionable. However, she shows that although the mistakes you make in life can cause you to feel lost and incompetent, they ultimately strengthen your ability to pick yourself back up and move on to better days.
