In my “avoiding all responsibilities and binging some random TV show” spiral out of control a couple weeks ago, I decided to start watching the hit show from the late 90s, “Sex and the City.” I’ve seen a couple episodes and both of the movies in the past, but I’ve never sat down and watched it from start to finish.

Besides the fact that I’ve learned a lot about myself and come to the realization that I’m such a Carrie, I’ve learned a lot about dating back in the 90s that relates to a lot of dating today. While I’ve never been in a super serious relationship, I’ve definitely dealt with a fair share of men who need to take notes from the wonderful Carrie Bradshaw herself.

After watching the first two seasons, the biggest takeaway I’ve gotten from “Sex and the City” thus far is that I won’t be settling for any relationship that isn’t giving me 100% what I want. The women on this show have had to deal with men who cheat, men who lie, men who are too demanding, men who are too proud to let a woman pay, and men who are just outright misogynistic. As someone who has never had a serious boyfriend, I’ve been realizing a lot of characteristics to avoid.

That being said, these women also meet some really amazing men who want to commit to them fully, and they’re sometimes the ones at fault. Miranda can’t figure it out with Steve, Carrie can’t get over Mr. Big, Samantha can’t commit to anyone, and Charlotte’s standards are definitely a bit too high when it comes to overlooking people’s flaws.

Through all of their failed and awkward attempts at dating, I have mostly found that I love the show because it is one of the earliest shows that is constantly having an open conversation about sex and about dating. It was risky in the late 90s to so openly include characters who identify with the LGBTQ+ community, to talk about detailed, sexual fantasies, and to give the power of the conversation to the women involved. “Sex and the City” was a show that was so incredibly ahead of its time, and it opened the door for the discussion of women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and positive sex-talk.