Yes, I’m one of those people constantly whipping out Friends references. I can proudly recite every episode for anyone who asks — although it is more often me volunteering than them asking.

It’s always on in the background of my home when I’m studying, doing laundry or cooking. It’s comforting, relatable and hilariously entertaining — and most of all, it was the best educator for adulthood. What more could you ask for in a television show?

Here are the most important lessons I learned from watching six television characters attempt to navigate adulthood and independence.

#1 Life Is Not A Race

There’s no perfect age for you to have your career figured out by. Rachel Greene abandoned her rich husband-to-be at the altar and moved to the New York City with her father’s credit card.

At 25 she got her first ever part-time job working as a waitress at a coffee house. Over the course of seven years, she eventually worked her way up to an executive position at Ralph Lauren. What can we take home from this? Don’t stress about not having your career figured out while you’re at uni. Life is not a race. You’ll find your way, sometimes it just takes time.

#2 Friendships Aren’t Always Based On Common Interests

You’ve got a dinosaur-loving dork, a vegetarian hippy, a bachelor, a fashionista, a neat freak and a self-proclaimed comedian. Apart from their love for each other, they really don’t share much in common at all.

One of my closest friends recently explained to me that we often form friendships based common interests, and chances are that we will eventually outgrow those particular interests, leaving no common ground for the friendships to further exist upon. He told me that if a friendship can last more than five years, often chances are that it’ll stick for life. It means that your friendship is based on something deeper than shared interests — it is instead defined by binding love and loyalty.

#3 You’re Not Too Old To Have Roommates

If there’s anything that Friends normalised, it’s a bunch of adults having roommates through to their mid-30s. Living with roommates doesn’t (necessarily) make you all immature party animals. In fact, if you live with super-close friends like these, it’s most likely to be much more like a relaxed family environment where everyone eats dinner together. 

#4 Your Past Doesn’t Define You

Chandler’s parents divorced when he was very young, resulting in him having a complicated relationship with his mother and being estranged from his father until he was 31. He did not let his own perception of marriage or distance from his parents prevent him from marrying the woman of his dreams or starting a family.

Phoebe’s father abandoned her as a baby, and at 14 she was homeless after her mother committed suicide and her stepfather went to prison. She didn’t let any of it stand in the way of her living a happy life, becoming a tremendously loyal, positive, loving and motivated person.

Then there’s Monica’s struggle with her parents always favouring Ross, Rachel’s bratty sisters, and Joey’s father’s infidelity.

Even if we have had quite challenging upbringings, this show is proof that we can grow from our past experiences, and become the best possible versions of ourselves. Unless, of course, you keep insisting that you were on a break.

#5 Friends Are The Family We Choose For Ourselves

And most importantly, this television show taught me that our friends are an extension of our family. They are the friends that love you for you, not your image, reputation or interests.

(Lead image: Friends/NBC)