Let's be real, no other movie will ever top "Mean Girls." Whether you watched it at a sleepover with your friends, or you were forced to watch it with your girlfriend or your daughter, this movie has always been a favorite chick flick. Not only will it keep you laughing the entire time, but you might actually learn something valuable from it too. I know I did.
Here are the 15 life lessons "Mean Girls" taught me...
1. It's OK to be different.
"If you're from Africa, why are you white?" Nothing beats Karen's one-liners, am I right? Through the ups and downs of the storyline, confidence is what helps the characters prevail. Amongst societal pressures found in their high school to conform, characters like Cady Heron are an excellent example of how a shift in perspective and refreshingly different personality can impact lives for the better.
2. Change isn't always easy.
Not only does "Mean Girls" teach you about handling the good and bad of high school, it teaches you about friendship. Adapting to transition is hard, especially when it requires confronting and walking away from destructive friendships. Gretchen Weiners struggles to admit that she needs change. Although change is hard, positive change is always worth it.
3. People are going to judge you no matter what.
People are going to judge you for where you're from, what you look like, and who you hang out with. Throughout the story, the popular trio of the high school, known as "The Plastics," write down mean things about other members of their high school and store them in the "Burn Book." What would it say about you if your high school had a "Burn Book"?
4. Just remember that everybody just wants to feel accepted.
No matter what, it's important to remember that everybody just wants to fit in and find a place, just like you do. Everyone has a reputation. For the main character, Cady Heron, her reputation happened to be her iconic army pants and flip flops look. Mean Girls teaches you about conformity and how you don't have to fit in; in fact, it's better to stand out. End of the story: don't wear the army pants and flip flops.
5. First impressions are important.
Always remember to put your best foot forward. You never know, one smile could lead to a long-lasting friendship. Characters amongst the plot establish unlikely friendships just by a smile and a short conversation. On Halloween, the four main characters hit the town for the night. Not only does Karen always keep you laughing, but she welcomes Cady into "The Plastics" by making a great first impression.
6. But you're not going to get along with everyone.
While everyone likes to feel loved and appreciated, the truth is that you're not going to get along with everyone... and that is OK. At the climax of the story, we see the high school falling apart at the seams due to the drama of the "Burn Book." While confrontation plays a vital part in this scene, we also see Ms. Norbury telling people to "go home." And sometimes in life it's OK to tell people to just "go home."
7. So walk to your own beat.
After having holes cut out of her shirt as retaliation from her fellow Plastics, Regina George decides to brush it off and rock the new look. This is a great example of how you shouldn't worry too much about what other people think of you. Who knows, maybe you'll be the next Regina George.
8. And don't let anyone tell you different.
Don't let someone's words affect you. Throughout "Mean Girls," Janice plays a role full of comedic relief throughout the many scenes. When someone didn't like her edgy style, she just flashed a finger and moved on. If people don't like you, maybe just pull a Janice behind their back.
9. Every once in awhile, remember to let loose.
Don't let the stressors of life get to you. Sometimes you just have to dance it off. Life can be extremely stressful at times, there's no doubt about that. Regina's mom is always the one to let go of life's stressors by dancing. Her excuse: "I'm not a regular mom, I'm a cool mom."
10. Sometimes me time is necessary.
While on the phone with friends, Karen pulls a *cough cough* "I'm sick" to avoid plans for the night. Don't pretend like you've never done this! Guilty as charged. But I believe that sometimes, spending time alone is exactly what you need.
11. At one point or another, your friends will let you down.
It's to be expected that people will disappoint you. It's going to happen. For example, Regina wears pants on the wrong day of the week and Gretchen Weiners yells her famous line, "You can't sit with us!" My advice to you: always have a backup lunch table.
12. But your family never will.
At the peak of the drama in their high school, we find this student calling his mom and asking for help. As funny as this scene is, there's a lot of truth to it. When all else fails, your family will always have your back through life's "scary" moments. I can attest to that.
13. You will hurt people's feelings.
No one's perfect. Not even you. When asked who has ever felt personally victimized by Regina George, we see everyone raise their hands. The reality is that you will personally victimize someone... just hopefully not your entire school.
14. Just remember to always apologize.
Here we see Karen apologizing to Gretchen for laughing at her in Barnes & Noble. This is a great example of how to be the bigger person and apologize... even for the small and funny things.
15. And if all else fails, there's always karma.
Don't be mean. There's a 30-percent chance you'll get hit by a bus. At the end of the story, Regina, after being the bully throughout the entire plot, gets hit by a bus. If that's not karma, I don't know what is.
