I recently saw Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, and I know some people have said it's meh, but I loved loved loved every second of it. From Sophie's upgrade of the hotel to Cher's big entrance, the whole film was filled with happiness, love, and wonder. As a big traveler myself, I really enjoyed watching Donna's story and how she got to Greece, and the experiences she had along the way reminded me of the adventures I've had while traveling.
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again taught me a few lessons that I will be sure to keep in mind for the future, and I think they're really valuable for those of us in college who have the whole world in our hands.
1. Find your people and keep 'em close
Donna had Tanya and Rosie. Sophie had Sky and her mom and her dads. Having a support system is so so important and those who will always be there for you are keepers. Whether it's family or friends, find your people - the people you love and trust and hold them close.
2. Embrace the unknown
Young Donna journeys through Europe without much of a plan except that for her final destination in Greece...the rest is up to the universe, and you just have to believe in all that the world has to offer.
3. Have faith in yourself. Always.
It takes a lot to go into the big world, and the most important thing is to always trust yourself and your instincts. In order for you to embrace the unknown, you need some self-confidence to do that! Young Donna has a level of confidence built on her own values and ways of living life that is seriously goals. One of my favorite quotes of all time is from Toni Morrison's Beloved: "You are your own best thing."
4. Trust the kindness of strangers
I learned this really valuable lesson while I was abroad, and it only comes after you've gained confidence in yourself and your instincts. You begin to recognize patterns of genuine individuals, and trusting their kindness can lead you to unexpected adventures. Also, you never know who you might meet and what you might learn from them!
BUT always be careful, and if you don't want to end up pregnant, alone on a faraway island, watch out for the direction of those adventures if you know what I mean. ;)
