4 Important Life Lessons ‘Friends’ Taught Me (That You Should Learn, Too)
It’s 2025 and I’m still watching all episodes of Friends like it’s the first time I’ve ever seen them. Anyone else? Oh, yes, many of you, I’m glad we’re all on the same wavelength 31 years after the show premiered.
The thing about Friends is that it isn’t just a silly sitcom with a laugh track, it’s a mostly deeply relatable show about growing up in a city and how to deal with the punches that life throws. I, for one, am so glad that Friends was there during my formative years before I had to take on all of this. *gestures vaguely towards the outside* There really are four important things that Friends taught me, and I will carry those life lessons with me to the grave. Let’s see if you all can relate.
You can have childhood trauma and still be a good person
While most characters on the show had supportive and present parents, Chandler and Phoebe had unique childhoods that could’ve given them the pass to be bad people or even less positive than they are. Sure, Chandler is sarcastic and a little neurotic, but he’s a great friend and grows into an amazing partner to Monica. Phoebe is unapologetically herself and always carries a smile into every room she walks into. She says some super off-beat things, but her heart is pure and both she and Chandler don’t let their traumas affect how they show up for themselves or their friends. Your trauma isn’t a crutch to lean on, it’s a collective of experiences designed to make you into the person you’re meant to be.
Never stop chasing your passion
Rachel Green is a lot of things, but she relentlessly pursued her passion for fashion across the whole series. In the beginning, she was a spoiled runaway bride who had to deal with the harsh reality of her parents cutting her off for being said runaway bride. As the show progressed, Rachel always had one true passion and it was for fashion. She interviewed, worked hard, did the work, and eventually got to work for Ralph Lauren. No matter how often Rachel was pushed aside or overlooked, she never stopped pursuing that desire. The same can be said for Joey. He was constantly turned down for small roles until he found his way onto Days Of Our Lives. No matter how much he felt defeated, he kept showing up to auditions and he got his big break.
A relationship ending isn’t the same as your life ending
Ross has been engaged, married, and divorced multiple times on the show. Every time he ends up getting a divorce, Ross is upset and maybe a little dramatic, but life goes on for him. Everything Ross does in a relationship sense has him end up with who he’s supposed to be with at the end, Rachel. Every page of every letter not read and every misspoke name at the altar led him exactly where he should’ve been or needed to be. A relationship ending isn’t a death sentence; in fact, it can be the start of everything you’ve ever needed.
Friends will always be there for you
True friendship is incredibly hard to find and even harder to keep sometimes. With the hustle and bustle of life, we can all get too busy and forget to call or text to keep in touch. If there’s anything that Friends taught me, it’s that you’re never too busy to check in or remind your friends that you’re there for them. They will always be there through the awkward and embarrassing moments and even the moments when you aren’t at your best. If you’ve found a group of weirdos that match your energy, keep them and never stop reminding them that you love them.
