1. Think about what you say before you say it.
A single word or phrase can immediately affect those around you. What you say to people, without you understanding why or how, can affect them personally in ways that you may not think of before the words trickle out of your mouth. A single word, batter, phrase, insult, or what you may think is a joke, can completely alter a person’s day, the way they see themselves in the mirror, or their perspective on life. A single phrase can be what pushes someone over the metaphorical fence they placed themselves on regarding whether life is worth it, or it may just ruin someone’s day. There is no way of knowing how negative connotations can affect others, so think about what you say and the repercussions it can have before you say it.
2. Be thankful for loving parents.
Justin Foley, a main character within the show was shown to be abused and tortured by his parents. This made me realize how lucky I am to have been raised by such loving and understanding parents, parents who cared about making me my lunch for school, who cared about my career goals, my interests, and loved me for who I was and am now. Domestic abuse is a growing problem, and is exemplified in a raw manner within this show, and it made me think and appreciate the home life I was born and raised in.
3. Appreciate those who see you for who you truly are.
Clay Jenson is one of the main characters of the show, different from all the others that were mentioned on the tapes Hannah recorded before taking her own life. Clay was her person, the one person that looked at her as something different than what everyone else saw her as. He was the one person that saw her for what she truly was, beyond all the rumors and mistreatment. We all need someone that will never see us as something other than what we truly are, those are the people we all need to keep and appreciate more than anything.
4. You are you, not the person people perceive or make you out to be.
Hannah’s soul was broken by words, rape, and heartbreak. The words people use can hurt much more than any physical damage. It can disrupt our mentalities and disrupt the way we see ourselves. It can break us mentally. Physical harm, such as rape that is so brutally raw in this show, can break our souls, our spirits, and our ability to see ourselves as who we truly are. The people that try to break you down and tear you apart, are not the ones we need to focus on, rather we need to focus on those who see you as who you truly are, and love you for you, and look past the words others have used to discuss you, and through the physical harm any of us has endured.
5. Life is unpredictable
This show in no way glorifies the realities of rape, suicide, and bullying. It very truly, and in a very raw manner discusses the truth behind teen suicide. It is so important for millennials and people of all ages to understand the reality behind these horrible events. Every action we take, can affect those around us. So, think before you act, and never judge others before you know what they are going through themselves. We are all fighting a battle that our peers know nothing about. Life is completely unpredictable, and one action can greatly affect those around you more than you may realize. So, my advice after watching this show, is to live life as though it is everyone's last day on Earth, love everyone, appreciate everything you have, and never put anyone down.
