Over the course of 12 seasons, Grey’s Anatomy has taught us a lot. We know to push one of epi, charge to 200, and clear. We know the first 24 hours are critical. Let’s face it: we could probably show up the interns during morning rounds. But despite all of this medical knowledge leading us to believe we are practically doctors, Grey’s has taught us some unforgettable things about life in general. Here are eight things we’ve taken from the show:
1. People can always surprise you.
If there is one thing we have learned from Grey’s Anatomy, it’s that everything is not quite what it seems. Your boyfriend can have a secret wife, your future mother-in-law could shave off your eyebrows, or your dead fiancée could leave you $8 million. If you’re lucky, you’ll end up not having to experience any of these.
2. Everything is temporary.
Hurt, pain, even love—everything is temporary. The things that are happening to you right now won’t always be happening and, whether that’s good or bad, it’s the truth. Derek will come back and do surgery after someone dies on the table. Bailey will come back and do surgery after she spreads infection. Cristina will come back and do surgery after having a gun held to her head. Okay—so maybe it’s just feelings involving surgery that are temporary.
3. We all just need our person.
We need someone to call at three in the morning and discuss our crazy dream. We need someone to listen to our problems and be honest with their answer. We need someone who will help us drag a corpse across the living room floor. We need someone to drink tequila and dance on tables with. And we definitely need someone to eat pizza and get fat with.
4. It’s okay to be sad…
Life can be upsetting. Watching someone else’s life on Grey’s can sometimes make us even more sad than our own lives do! But what we have learned from all our Seattle Grace/Grey Sloan Memorial friends at one point or another, is that being sad is a part of life and it’s okay.
5. But sometimes you just need to get over it and move on.
You can’t live your life on the bench. Bad things happen and wallowing for a day is fine, but then you need to pick yourself up and move on! You will heal and you will be okay again, but the only way to do that is to stop moping and look to the future. Thanks for the reality check, Callie.
6. There’s no time like the present.
If you have something to say to someone, say it now! There’s no point in waiting. What if Meredith didn’t tell Derek to pick her, choose her, love her? You never know what could happen so take the opportunities, make the moves, and go for it.
7. You aren’t defined by the mistakes you make.
So you didn’t pass your intern exam? It doesn’t make you a failure at life. You left your perfect paramedic boyfriend at the alter? It doesn’t make you a heartless monster. We all make mistakes and we all mess up. But that doesn’t make us messed up people! Learn from the past, and let it make you better.
8. When in doubt, dance it out.
Sometimes there is nothing else you can do. So, make like Mer and Cristina and dance it out.
We have been enlightened by the 12 seasons of Grey’s Anatomy that we have shoved into four months of Netflix binging. We learned about life, love, and craniotomies and we’re better people for it. So thanks, Seattle Grace/Mercy West/Grey Sloan Memorial doctors! You’ve taught us more about life than we could have hoped to learn.