BY AVANTI GIRIDHARAN
“It smells like poetry”, “I like Paris, but I’m not really sure Paris likes me”, “Paris seems like a big city, but it’s really just a small town”. Do these quotes sound familiar? That’s because they were taken from Netflix’s hit series ‘Emily in Paris’. Full marks if you guessed it right the first time!
‘Emily in Paris’ is a comedy/drama series that premiered on October 2, 2020. It instantly made it to a lot of people’s must-watch lists and is quite a success. Consisting of 10 episodes, each of them approximately 25 minutes long, the first season of the show is available on Netflix.
‘Emily in Paris’ is about a young career-driven girl, Emily Cooper. She’s accomplished and has a high-flying marketing career, a stunning wardrobe and of course, a handsome boyfriend. But all that changes when she’s offered a job in Paris and accepts it. However, Paris isn’t what it seemed like at all.
From what I’ve read so far, the reviews seem to be mixed. The show’s been renewed for a second season for which the shooting is likely to begin next year. It’s up to individual viewers to decide what they think of the show. But like it or not, there’s quite a bit to be learnt from Emily Cooper. Certain traits that Emily possesses would benefit us in life, career and our personal relationships as well.
Here’s what we can learn from the protagonist of ‘Emily in Paris’:
Courage:
Emily shows immense courage in moving to a new country. She leaves behind known traces of comfort and familiarity for a place she doesn’t even speak the language of. Emily goes through a lot- breakups, embarrassments, job difficulties, yet remains resilient. She has the courage to speak her mind and stand for what she believes in. Both these qualities are a must for getting through the obstacles of life and dealing with everything that comes your way.
Willingness to Learn:
Emily embraces the move to Paris as a unique opportunity to grow. She’s interested in exploring the culture, tries to learn French and ready to learn from her mistakes. The desire for self-improvement is very important to reach the top. Willingness to learn changes our perspectives and makes us better people.
Positivity:
One quality that stands out among all others in Emily is her sheer positivity. This trait lends an aura of charm and happiness to her. No matter what, Emily takes what happens with a smile, which gives her inner strength and uniqueness. Such a mindset can give us a purpose that fuels passion. Positivity makes life and relationships meaningful and productive. So when in doubt, just smile.
Openness to Experiences:
Emily meets a lot of people and is keen to experience all kinds of new things in Paris. She’s adventurous, enjoys exploring and likes to go beyond her comfort zone. Such openness enriches our perceptions and broadens our horizons. These experiences make our lives worth living. We could all do with some novel plunges in our lives as well.
Problem-Solving Approach:
In life, career or relationships, you can’t do without a problem-solving approach. It’s very easy to complain and blame. Yet it’s better to put in the solutions and treat problems as challenges. The more problems you solve, the more skills you acquire. We see it in Emily as she treats every challenge as an opportunity. She’s determined and doesn’t rest till she’s solved the problem at hand. She has out-of-the-box ideas and can improve and think quickly on her feet. All of these are necessary for surviving and thriving in today’s world.
Final Take
These qualities set Emily Cooper apart from her counterparts and make her endearing. They render uniqueness which adds a lot of potential to her character. We could all do with a little bit of Emily Cooper in us. The sky is the limit, as long as you’re willing to put in the hard work.