As silly as it may seem, I have learned a lot about life by watching Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. The underlying concepts in the show have taught me about the pursuit of happiness, breaking dichotomous thinking, becoming your own leader, helping others without forgetting about helping yourself, and how your attitude can make or break you. Tina Fey has a way of communicating serious issues in a hilarious and over the top way.
1.Boundaries
From episode one, Kimmy seeks to determine her own destiny. She sets a boundary between her past and her present/future. She needs to live her life the way she wants to and as hard as it is for her to leave comfort behind, she is taking on the challenge for herself. That in itself is an act of bravery.
I have always struggled with setting boundaries and knowing when is the right time to move on. Tina Fey characterizes Kimmy to be so open to opportunity, despite the tragedies she has lived through. The way that Tina Fey makes Kimmy so human and flawed, yet so ready to embrace life. This shows such a personable role that allows this lesson on boundaries to be transparent to me.
A highlight of Kimmy’s character really starting to flourish is when she sets boundaries between her and Jacqueline. Kimmy spreads herself thin for Jacqueline for awhile before realizing that Jacqueline is walking all over her. The breaking point is when Kimmy realizes what it means to compromise. Her agreement to help Jacqueline out in return for access to Jacqueline’s car for work is an example of Kimmy realizing the importance of both assertion and reciprocation within relationships. These two assets are important in forming healthy boundaries.
Personally, I have been working really hard on trying not to spread myself too thin for people and trying to learn my limits. By seeing these actions displayed (even if it is just a TV show), it gave me a sense of my reality and what healthy relationships look like.
2.Choosing Happiness
The characters in the show don’t usually take Kimmy Schmidt seriously. She is 30 years old with an education level of a seventh-grader. However, when she is taken seriously, Kimmy truly is an insightful and genuine character. She cares. She knows the lowest of lows and doesn’t want anyone to feel trapped in negativity. Through her humorous strategies of trying to fix others, she fixes herself on the way – which is something that I truly admire.
Attitude lies within your own hands. Although hearing “just be happy” makes me incredibly angry (because let’s be real – it isn’t that simple), it is still very possible to create your own attitude to serve as an outlook for how you live.
In conclusion, I wake up in the mornings and think to myself, “I want to go through my day like Kimmy Schmidt would.” Before work, if I am dreading it, I think about how fun it is to be excited about anything and everything. I like to find joy in the little things. Work goes by so fast when you put a little pep in your step and make it about others and not about yourself.
In conclusion, I wake up in the mornings and think to myself, “I want to go through my day like Kimmy Schmidt would.” Before work, if I am dreading it, I think about how fun it is to be excited about anything and everything. I like to find joy in the little things. Work goes by so fast when you put a little pep in your step and make it about others and not about yourself.