Harry Potter Series and the Five Valuable Life Lessons it Taught Me
Nitwit. Blubber. Oddment. Tweak. Whenever September comes, I know we are all wishing we are aboard a train back home to Hogwarts. For Gen Zs like me, the Harry Potter series and its characters have been my companion growing up. They were my best friends, my family, my community, and at times, even my teachers.
Now that I am an adult-ish, accompany me as I reflect on valuable life lessons that the Harry Potter series has taught me over the years.
Asking for Help is Cheap
Being the chosen one, Harry often felt obligated that he should do things alone. Most of the time, he forgets that he has the most powerful help he could get, a.k.a. the magical community, and Hermione, the brightest witch of their age. Though his reasons are valid, it is somehow self-sabotaging. Luckily, Harry was able to realize that not every weight should be carried alone, especially when people are willing to help him through the journey. Sometimes, it would surprise you how people will go miles or even learn a whole new language called parseltongue (shoutout to the king, Ron Weasley!) just to ease your burden.
There are All Kinds of Courage – Dumbledore, Harry Potter, and the Sorcerer’s Stone
I know I am not the only one who curled up like a ball and cried when Neville earned those house points for Gryffindor when he stood up against his friends. As ironic as it sounds, it made us believe that indeed, courage takes a lot of forms. Sometimes, it can be found in great deeds, such as fighting for what is right or amplifying the calls of the voiceless. But most of the time, it is found in the smallest victories, such as waking up every morning, choosing to continue despite hardships, or even just showering after being stuck in your bed for days.
Being Different is Okay
Ever since I started studying, I always felt like I do not belong with my nose always stuck in a book or because of my music preferences. But growing up and reading about Harry Potter characters like Luna Lovegood, I came to terms with it. Luna’s distinctive characteristics have made her unique and loved by potterheads like me. With her help, I learned to accept that, yes, I might be a little more peculiar than your usual adolescent girl from the 2010s, but who cares? What matters is that I am genuine and true to myself, amirite?
Love lasts, after all
Love has been a strong theme all through the series. It made Harry survive the deadly Avada Kedavra curse, and it is what sustained him to live even after his parents’ death. It was Snape’s love for Lily that urged him to protect Harry (in some ways!), and it is the marauders’ (except for Peter) love that gave Harry the courage to face Voldemort in the Forbidden Forrest. Most people also forget that it was Narcissa’s motherly love that saved Harry from Voldemort for the last time. So you see, love trumps anything. Love lasts, after all.
Magic is real
The most useful life lesson that I have learned from this series is that magic is real. Living in this version of the Philippines is tiresome™! So in order to get by, I have to see the magic in the most mundane of things; even if I am the only one who is seeing it or even if it is all just happening in my head.
Learning to navigate this life once you reach that age can be hard indeed. Good thing we discovered Hogwarts, a place that will always be there to welcome us home.
