6 lessons “Mean Girls” taught me about friendship
Mean Girls is one of those movies I can easily watch over and over and over again. My best friends and I love Mean Girls so much that we can quote most of the lines without a second thought. Every diehard Mean Girls fan know there is no shame in screaming, “You go, Glen Coco!” when opportunity strikes.
While Mean Girls has always been something I shared with my besties, I’ve also learned a whole lot about friendship from the film. Take a look at some of the lessons I’ve taken away thanks to Cady, the Plastics, Janis, and Damian. Who knew the kids of North Shore High School would teach me so much.
1. Being the new kid is scary, but it gets easier.
Have you ever wished you had a road map to navigate high school like the one Janis drew for Cady? If only maps were around for every awkward social situation. Actually, maybe we should make those?
From facing the challenge of where to sit at lunch to finding a group of friends you love, being the new kid at school is never easy. While you will always miss your friends back home, it doesn’t mean there aren’t great ones on the horizon. At first it might seem daunting to not know anyone, but it’s only a matter of time until you make a new set of BFFs. Whether you’re signing up for a sports team or joining a club, you just need to put yourself out there.
2. Never break girl code.
The secret to a strong and lasting friendship with your BFFs is to avoid the ultimate no-no of breaking girl code. Despite no official guide existing, all BFFs tend to know these unwritten friendship rules based on respect and trust. Exes are off limits, secrets are meant to be kept. You know, the usuals.
3. Don’t be a bully.
One of the main points of controversy in the film is the rumor and gossip filled Burn Book. Originally created by Regina and the Plastics, the book’s sole purpose was negativity and bullying. Rather than striving to be hurtful, you should always make it a point to treat others the way you want to be treated in return. Being a bully does nothing but bring unneeded negativity into the universe. At the end of the day, if you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all.
4. Cliques aren’t everything.
While cliques seem to rule North Shore High School, it doesn’t mean you have to choose to label yourself. From joining the Mathletes to integrating herself into the Plastics, Cady’s character explores various cliques throughout the course of the film. At one point, each of the characters figures out they can join other cliques and still feel like they belong. They also learn that not being deemed popular doesn’t mean you still won’t be considered cool.
Growing up, I always made friends with people who had dramatically different interests. Whether they were sports fanatics or more into the music scene, I loved having friends with different backgrounds. It’s not about being a part of a clique, it’s about building friendships that nourish you.
5. Don’t worry about what other people think.
Not caring what other people think is always easier said than done. Even though Cady excels in math, she realizes that playing math-dumb will actually get her more street cred and closer to the guy she wants. Not the best move, Cady.
Changing who you are for another person is the quickest way to forget what makes you unique in the first place. Whether you’re a math whiz like Cady or an aspiring performer like Damian, you should always own and embrace who you are. True friends don’t judge, and will always support you no matter what the circumstances are.
6. No one can replace your high school best friends.
There’s something special about the group of BFFs you meet in high school. Through good times and bad, these are the friends you grew up with as you transitioned from teenagers to young adults. It’s an important time of life and these are important bonds. Don’t take them for granted, these people likely had more of an impact on your life than you even know.
