9 Valuable Lessons We Learned From Parks and Recreation

As most of you probably know, the pure genius of a show known as Parks and Recreation has recently come to an end. I am still not fully recovered and willing to admit that it may take me some time. Not only was Parks hilarious and uniquely original, but it also offered up some pretty valuable life lessons:

1. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day

I’ve never understood people who skip breakfast. It just doesn’t make sense to me. The last time you ate was the night before and you are choosing not to eat in the morning?!? Fine, it’s your life, but I don’t understand it. I choose to live more like Ron Swanson when it comes to breakfast; never skip it and always it eat it more than once a day.

2. Treat Yo’ Self (whenever possible, but at least once a year)

This is quite possibly one of the most important lessons we have learned from Parks and Rec. It is also one that is sure to live on for many years to come. If we don’t take time for ourselves every once in a while, we will all go insane and everybody will be avoiding each other. “Treat Yo’ Self” is not selfish. It’s important to remember that we are people to and we deserve the best sometimes. Life would be nothing if we didn’t take a day every now and then to enjoy the finer things in life. It doesn’t have to be every day, but you must to do it.

3. Learn to prioritize things

It seems that everyone is always trying to do everything all the time. We try to multitask and balance different tasks on a daily basis. It seems we often forget that when we try and be over-productive, none of our activities receive 100 percent of our attention. It may feel like we’re being productive, but if we’re not prioritizing what’s important, we may actually end up falling behind. It’s good to be busy, but you have to prioritize things to ensure that you don’t go absolutely insane.

4. Lead a lifestyle that suits you

Different people enjoy different things. Yes, there are things we’re “supposed” to do (exercise, eat healthy, get plenty of sleep), but this doesn’t mean it has to become our entire life mantra. Some people enjoy waking up at 5 a.m. everyday and going for a run or sitting on a motion-less bike while someone yells at them. I am not one of those people and it’s okay if you aren’t either. Choose a lifestyle that you find interesting and entertaining. It doesn’t have to make everyone else happy, but it does have to make you happy.

5. Best friends are important

Think about what a dark place your world would be without friends to laugh and share it with; it’s not a pretty thought. Life is full of twisted surprises and it’s essential to have someone whom you can tell absolutely everything to. Best friends not only bring happiness into our world, but they also bring a sense of guidance. We look to them when things get tough, so they can steer us in the right direction. No matter what goes on in your romantic life, you must never forget about your best friends.

6. Set realistic standards

Dreaming big is good, but every now and then we must look at life from a realistic point of view. Nobody ever achieves their big goal overnight; they have a starting point and then work their way up from there. Try focusing on short-term goals that are actually achievable in the near future. This will help us to eventually reach our long-term goals. It’s important to have a vision of the future, but it’s even better to have a realistic plan that will actually help you achieve that vision.

7. Winning isn’t everything

Yes, winning is fun and you’d be lying if you said you didn’t care about it. Everyone wants to beat someone out for a job every now and then, or be smarter than everyone they know. We all do and that’s okay. However, it’s important to remember that even during the times we don’t come out on top, we are still awesome people and everything is going to be fine. Don’t be that person who makes a big deal of something when they don’t get what they want. Go to your friends to help you forget about those bad moments, not just to complain about them. And if you had a really bad day/week/month and you just want to curl up in a ball and cry…treat yo’ self.

8. Be confident in yourself

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: confidence is key. Without confidence, no one would have any motivation or drive and that is not a world I want to live in. If you want something, go out and get it. Believe in yourself and I promise you will love the results. It’s important to think about others, but it’s also very important to think about yourself.

9. And last, but not least

Enough said.