Netflix. Procrastination’s best friend. So much more entertaining than sitting down and grinding out that term paper due in a couple weeks. I admit, I spend a good amount of my time unwinding and re-watching gossip girl for the fifth time since eighth grade. Yeah, I know it’s a problem. But sometimes, it becomes a bit tiresome scrolling through Netflix only to see the same shows that I’ve already watched and re-watched a billion times already.

So, when that’s the case, I find myself searching for a new, inspirational movie to watch (& I say inspirational because I am ultimately trying to motivate myself to study). So, over the last couple of weeks, I’ve compiled a list of movies that I’ve watched and loved.

1. "Legally Blonde"

I know I know, it’s not a new movie. But, if I’m being honest, I find it ironically motivational. Any time I feel like I need a bit of light-hearted inspo, this is my go to (not to mention Reese Witherspoon is awesome).

2. "I, Tonya"

Let me just start by saying this: Margot Robbie is amazing. For some reason, I had never heard of the Tonya Harding/ Nancy Kerrigan incident that sparked the international attention leading up to the 1994 Winter Olympics. The movie was satirical, trying to clear the record of the controversy surrounding Harding decades after the incident occurred.

Tonya’s unconventional upbringing made her experience during training utterly relatable and her accomplishments even more incredible. Writing this only makes me wanna go watch it again… be right back.

3. "Wonder Woman"

I know it’s a bit mainstream but I have only just experienced the movie that so many of my friends have been trying to convince me to watch for months. Unlike so many super hero movies that I’ve watched in the past, this movie was relatable in the fact that it definitely highlighted the fact that women are amazing, if that wasn’t already obvious by the name.

4. "Wild"

I have to admit, I definitely was introduced to this movie via the reference they make to it in "Gilmore Girls." Nonetheless, I was so moved by it. Another “based on a true story” movie, I was taken aback by the hardships that Cheryl Strayed, the woman behind the book that inspired the movie, encountered. It really truly puts life into perspective.

5. "Moana"

If you know me, you know. Growing up loving and living by the ocean, I was SO excited when "Moana" came out and just because it’s been a few years doesn’t mean that I’m any less excited when I watch it now.

I don’t know if you’re sensing a theme here or not, but it seems that over the past several weeks the movies that I choose to watch all follow strong, independent women. This is something I think is so important to keep in touch with myself.

Sometimes, life is hard – everyone has realized this at some point or another. Regardless, identifying with someone who has overcome their hardships, fictional or not, is genuinely uplifting. Besides, who doesn’t love an excuse to watch a good movie? I know I do.