If you had to guess what my favorite movie or book was just by looking at me, you would probably think something like “Perks of Being a Wallflower”, “Blue is the Warmest Colour” or even “Fast and Furious”. But the inevitable truth is that one book, and later movie, gripped my heart and I have sworn by the beautiful lessons that Will Traynor and Louisa Clark have taught me ever since. Yes, folks. I’m talking about the gorgeously heartbreaking novel “Me Before You” by JoJo Moyes and film adaptation starring the talented Emilia Clarke and the charming Sam Claflin.
So, here are the six lessons I learned from those bumblebee legs that I still swear by today.
- Embrace who you are; no matter what anyone has to say about it.
Louisa is often judged for her bubbly personality. Will calls her “chatty” and makes a big deal that she basically doesn’t shut up around him. She is always judged for her fashion sense where Will claims she “raids her grandmother’s wardrobe” and her boyfriend Patrick claims her one pair of shoes look “leprechaun drag queens”. But, Lou never gives a damn and continues to live her days dressed as she likes.
2. You only get one life.
It’s actually your duty to live it as fully as possible.Will teaches many valuable lessons including this one; never waste the life you have been given, as there is no point in regret or simply existing. Through his quadriplegia and battle to accept his new life, he teaches us to live in the moment and make the best out of every opportunity. I’ll be honest, I have had several occasions of hearing Sam Claflin’s voice in my head saying these words to me when I am down in the dumps.
3. When you truly love someone, you will do what is best for them and not for you.
Lou battles with what is right versus what is best for Will. Of course, she uses the excuse that Will is being selfish for wanting to end his life but by the end, she realizes it was her that had been selfish. She wanted Will to stay no matter how much pain he was in. She realized “You can’t change people for who they are, you can only love them.”
4. Push yourself, and don’t settle
In Will’s final letter to Lou, he reminds us of a very valuable lesson. We are worthy of so much in this life. We should make the most of the opportunities that come our way and we e deserve the world.We should never just lay back and watch this life go by. We should always fight for what we want and work as hard as we possibly can; we must never give up easily.
5. I have become a whole new person because of you
The people we love have the ability to change our lives. The best kind of love is the one that broadens our horizons and allows us to develop into better people and become a person that we are proud to be. This was one of the many things that Will did for Lou.
6. Just live well… just live
Above all else, Will’s final words to Lou in the letter are a message of love and hope. He asks her not to think of him too often and to go live her life. He reminds us that although pain and heartbreak does happen, nothing should ever hold us back from living the best life we can live and from chasing our dreams.
I have sworn by these lessons and I say with the utmost certainty, that this book and film have made my life better. Whether I am feeling alone or I feel like a useless mess, I find my inner Louisa and remind myself to live boldly. But then again… maybe it does help that I have my own pair of bumblebee tights (black and yellow stripes).
Featured Image via Me Before You
