3 Self-care reminders from abbott elementary
I love Abbott Elementary.
If you haven’t watched this show, you’re truly missing out! Abbott Elementary is easy, funny, and trauma-free. The show follows Janine and her co-workers as they navigate the teacher life at Abbott Elementary School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It’s the perfect dose of happiness that I need during the middle of the work week! (And if you’re a fan of The Office, I can almost promise you’ll love this show too.)
When I wasn’t busy laughing at Ava’s jokes or Tariq’s raps, I noticed that there were little tidbits and reminders sprinkled throughout the show that reminded me about self-care.
Here are 3 self-care lessons inspired by Abbott Elementary:
(Stop reading if you don’t want to read spoilers!)
Be authentically you.
Ava, Abbott Elementary’s principal, is by far one of my favorite characters on the show. She is funny and truly a breath of fresh air. More importantly, her essence reminded me how important it is to be authentically you.
Toward the end of Season 1, Ava must appeal to the school board for extra funds. If you know Ava, she definitely prefers a hands-off approach to school administration and seemingly does not take her job too seriously. As the audience, our first thought is that Ava would not do well with the presentation. Yet she prevails (in her own way of course).
Sometimes, we don’t fit the mold that society crafts but it’s important to stay true to who we are. Of course, Ava does not “present” as the most responsible adult on the show. But as a viewer, we get to see her prevail in her own way.
Her success is our success.
don’t be afraid to let go.
Janine, Quinta Brunson’s character, is dating her boyfriend Tariq (an aspiring rapper). Throughout Season 1, we learn about the dynamics of their relationship. Janine is the “responsible” person who pays the bills while her absent-minded and funny boyfriend pursues his career. (His performance for the Friends Against Drug Exposure (FADE) assembly is HILARIOUS.) Finally, Tariq catches a break and will be moving from Philadelphia to further his career. At first, Janine appears to be compromising and is willing to make the relationship work. She later realizes that the relationship may have run its course.
Janine teaches us a valuable lesson: don’t be afraid to let go, especially when something no longer serves you.
you’re right where you are meant to be.
Gregory (played by Tyler James Williams from Everybody Hates Chris) is a substitute first-grade teacher and aspiring school principal at Abbott. We learn that he did not get the principal position that went to Ava instead. He grapples with this “loss” throughout the show. At one point, he even questions whether he should remain at Abbott. If he left the school, he would have missed out on different experiences, like eating pizza and bonding with Jacob. In the end, he dates Barbara’s daughter (although like many fans, I’m rooting for him and Janelle. Total Jim and Pam vibes here).
Gregory’s storyline shows that although our plans may not work out as we want them to, at this moment, you’re right where you are meant to be.
What self-care lessons did you learn from Abbott Elementary?