In 2013, Netflix released Orange is the New Black the television series that depicts women living their lives in a female prison. Based on Piper Kerman's memoir and through four seasons, there are tips about life that OITNB has renewed in us all.
1. People make mistakes, but that's what makes us human.
Life throws you many curve balls; life wouldn't be the same without something being in your way. The ladies of Orange Is The New Black know what it means to make mistakes. I'm not saying that it's okay and right to land in prison, but many of us screw up sometimes. Mistakes are suppose to be made because you need some mistakes to show you how to guide yourself in life. If we didn't make mistakes, would we even be able to say that we've learned from our faults? One life lesson that OITNB has taught us is that every once in awhile we make mistakes.
2. There's always a second chance somewhere, somehow.
The good thing about the world is that there is always a second chance to be had for someone. Always take the second chance that is offered to you, you get the advantage to change whatever you lost on your first choice. Some ladies of OITNB are fortunate to receive their second chance at doing life right. Learning from your past and embracing what is in their future is something that everyone should be able to learn and embrace.
3. There's always something to believe in. Find your guiding light.
Whether it be converting to a religion (like Cindy's conversions to Judaism season 3) or Red and the girls thinking that there was a chicken on the other side of the prison, you have to believe in something to get you through the day sometimes. The great thing about believing in something is that you don't have to follow what other people believe in, sometimes having your own personal 'chicken' will give you a sense of balance and happiness.
4. Enjoy the little things.
In OITNB, there aren't a lot of luxuries that come to prison. Basic things like being able to eat whenever you want and do whatever you want are striped away in prison. Life should be about enjoying the things in life that not all of the world gets to have. Enjoy the simple things like watching the sunrise, getting to eat donuts whenever you want, and to see the world each day. Being grateful for what you have is always something we forget to do.
5. Be honest as often as you can.
Sometimes people think that it's okay to not be honest all the time. Life is made for you to be honest. Live honestly, speak your mind, and know that being honest as often as you can can help you and other people around you in the long run. Taystee is one of those people that will tell you things honestly and wisely, learn something from Taystee when it comes to being honest (and well, nobody should screw around with Harry Potter.)
6. Expand your horizons.
Don't be confined to one specific thing in life. Keeping your mind open and, expanding your horizons is something that everyone should do at least once. Live outside the lines, open your mind to the possibility of doing things that you didn't think you could ever do. OITNB has shown us that there is something out there to be seen, and we should all be able to try out new things.
7. Family doesn't have to be blood.
This is a life tip that all of us know, but we really don't appreciate it all the time. People who care about you because they want to become your friend somehow become your family too. OITNB shows us that family never needs to be blood, but family is a special bond that could never be broken. Just look at all of the friendships that are more than just that they are family.
I mean seriously they are not only fam goals but squad goals. They all look out for each other because that's what a family does. They are all honest and great to each other, like any person in should be in life.
8. Know who you are.
Never be afraid to be who you are. Sophia does just that in OITNB, and shows us that sometimes people will take you down for being different, but being different is unique and beautiful and wonderful and there's absolutely nothing wrong with it.
9. Love who you want.
Love is something that all of us tend to forget that everyone deserves to have. In this day and age, we lose the fact that love is something that we feel in ourselves and is something that we all have different interpretations and ways we love someone. Poussey defines love in her own unique way and finds it in someone she truly enjoys (Soso and Poussey forever, man.)
10. Never settle for less.
If you need to achieve something, don't settle for less than what you want. If Cindy couldn't get the perfect picture of Judy King the first time, do you think she would give up? Heck no, she's gonna try again. Never think that you can't achieve the impossible, never think that you aren't worth more.
Not only am I thankful that OITNB made me see these wonderful things in life, I really just enjoy that picture of Cindy and Judy King.
