It is the story of four women; navigating the brightly-lit streets of New York City, maintaining careers, browsing store windows for the perfect pair of designer shoes, and trying to find love. More importantly, it is the story of four best friends: Carrie Bradshaw, Samantha Jones, Charlotte York, and Miranda Hobbes.
In the years of middle school, when kissing was scandalous and boys were just recently being cured of cooties, Sex and the City was completely off limits. Not only was the title inappropriate, the first word one that I couldn't even bare to say out loud, but the women of the show were clearly more mature and more experienced than myself.
Naturally, I rebelled.
It only took me a few episodes to realize that Sex and the City was not a show devoted solely to the topic of sex but it explored so much more. Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda, and Samantha with their polar-opposite personalities and, at times, clashing morals taught me some of the most valuable lessons on friendship, love, and self identity.
1.) Never apologize for your success.
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Miranda showed me that you can have a kickass career before you find love, and any man that feels intimidated can step to the side.
2.) Never sacrifice your self-worth or self-values for someone else.
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Naturally, Samantha taught me that your love for yourself should always be first and foremost because in the end "you don't need no man."
3.) Don't be afraid to dress up and dance around. [rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F04%2F06%2F63595570041573143368801551_giphy-2.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=127&h=f361167baaa482237c5329ee43c233387375cd993f9e499e5757456f7866ccaa&size=980x&c=747777530 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F04%252F06%252F63595570041573143368801551_giphy-2.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D127%26h%3Df361167baaa482237c5329ee43c233387375cd993f9e499e5757456f7866ccaa%26size%3D980x%26c%3D747777530%22%7D" expand=1]While having Carrie's closet would certainly help with this, have a little fun in your favorite dress. Don't take yourself too seriously.
4.) Know your worth.
Be aware of what you deserve and the fact that your qualities make you the one and only version of you that exists.
5.) Sometimes you may need a break, allow yourself to take one.
Whether it be a need for McDonald's, a nap, or a cosmo, treat yourself when you're in need.
6.) It's okay to know what you want and to try to attain it by any means necessary.
Don't be too ashamed or prideful to seek an end goal that you may have been yearning for since you were a child. Eventually, your past self with thank your present self for accomplishing this dream.
7.) Do not settle for less than extraordinary, far too many things in life are mediocre.
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There is never a need to settle. Laziness and convenience ultimately keep us from the struggle that is necessary to obtain beauty and miracles in life.
8.) You don't always have to conform to what society expects of you, whether it be how you look, how you act, or what you decide to do with your future.
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So what all your friends have boyfriends? So what they're all getting married, having kids, and moving away? You don't need to do what everyone else wants or expects from you. Just do you.
9.) Do not dumb yourself down, tame your free spirit, or yield to the desires of others.
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Understand that the person you are meant to be with will never ask you to change who you are, so don't ask it of yourself.
10.) Remember who has your best interest at heart and who always did.
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"Maybe our girlfriends are our soulmates and guys are just people to have fun with."
At the end of the day, these four women, six seasons, ninety-four episodes, two movies, and countless television marathons taught me that whether I am a Carrie, a Samantha, a Miranda, or a Charlotte, love is not necessarily something you must look for but rather something you already have; for yourself, your family, and your best friends.
Sheetal Tadiparty
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