7 Lessons From CW’s Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
The CW’s ‘Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’ won numerous awards for its witty and big musical numbers. Packaged as a quirky series about Rebecca Bunch (Rachel Bloom), it discussed mental health issues with utmost care and respect. By doing so, the series demonstrated lessons that could be applied in life.
Here are 7 lessons I learned from ‘Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’.
It’s okay to not be okay.
In ‘Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’, Rebecca knew from the beginning that she had a mental illness. She, however, refused to listen to her diagnosis and get proper treatment. Instead, she distracted herself by trying to get back with her ex-boyfriend from camp, Josh (played by Vincent Rodriguez III). But as the show progressed, Rebecca also learned not to use other people just to avoid processing her feelings. She began seeking help and treatment from medical professionals. Ultimately, seeking professional help only occurs after admitting that you are not okay. And the series adamantly declared that being not okay is okay.
When tired, rest up.
The first season of the show revolved around Rebecca trying to change her life. That included moving to West Covina, California, working in a small law firm, and getting back with Josh. Before moving to California, Rebecca worked in a prominent firm in New York. She was up for a partner but she rejected the offer as soon as she realized that she has been unhappy for a long time. Overworked, she began taking pills to numb the tired feeling. Needless to say, Rebecca’s mental health and physical health worsened when she refused to slow down. Overworking has long been glorified in any industry. This, however, does not mean that it is right. Overworking does not equate to being efficient.
Dream high even if the whole world tells you not to.
Apart from Rebecca, the show touched on various topics through its characters like Paula (Donna Lynne Champlin). Rebecca and Paula quickly become friends while working together. Because of Rebecca, Paula revisited her dream of being a lawyer. Soon enough, she attends law school. The decision to chase her dream was difficult because Paula had two sons to take care of at home. In a Disney-inspired musical number, Paula expressed her fear of dreaming. According to her, the world had been unkind to her dreams, crushing them just as she was about to achieve them. Despite her fears, Paula proceeded to act on her dream to become a lawyer.
Fail a lot. And learn.
By Season 3, Rebecca began doing therapy work. She attended group therapy. She also researched her personality disorder. However, she began fearing that what she has been doing is not enough. Her doctor assured her that she was allowed to fail. Dr. Shin (Jay Hayden) told her to go beyond her “therapy bubble” and own her life. Besides the fact that “going outside her therapy bubble” allowed Rebecca to know herself beyond her relationships, it also allowed her to fail and learn from her mistakes. Moreover, Dr. Shin’s reassurance just solidified the fact that having a mental illness is not the end of someone’s life.
Showing vulnerability is not a weakness.
Rebecca’s new boss Nathaniel (Scott Michael Foster) was introduced in Season 2. Raised by an emotionally repressed father, he found it difficult to express his feelings. Every single time he began feeling things, he would try to suppress them or express them in unhealthy ways. However, through Rebecca’s help, Nathaniel sought an emotional connection with his father. In Nathaniel’s case, being emotionally repressed was something he got from his father. This is, unfortunately, the case with most people. They find it hard to express themselves as they were taught that feeling is a weakness. The show also took ample time to show Nathaniel’s journey into becoming more nurturing with his personal life.
You can choose your own family.
Raised by a Jewish mother, Rebecca found it hard to look past her flaws. Her mother, along with her other relatives, would remind her of the opportunities she let go of after moving to California. With every chance they got, they would tell her that her life is leading to failure. In the show, Rebecca consistently ignored messages from her mother and her relatives but thanks to Paula, she began cultivating a family of her own. Rebecca’s relationship with the other women in the series was also refreshing. Instead of being put against each other, the women in the series lifted each other but would call on each other’s bullshit.
Do what you love. Or not.
As I’ve mentioned, the show doesn’t just revolve around Rebecca’s life. It gave the spotlight to other characters’ growth like Josh. Through Season 1 and Season 2, Josh struggled with finding his identity. He became used to being in a relationship that when left alone, he couldn’t identify his passion anymore. Josh expressed his fears of being stuck in life while everyone else moves forward. Needless to say, the burden of choosing between paths was exhibited through his character. Through Josh, it became clear that anyone can do whatever they want. Through him, the freedom of choice was heavily implied.
Apart from life-changing lessons, ‘Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’ birthed many iconic songs. ‘Let’s Generalize About Men’ has begun making rounds on TikTok, alongside Rachel Bloom’s ‘You Stupid Bitch’. Despite ending in 2019, it definitely maintained its grasp on fans through its lessons and music combined.
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