What I’ve Learned From This Year’s Gilmore Girls Rewatch
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Since we are in the ‘ber months now, I have been rewatching Gilmore Girls as I do every fall (along with most women from my generation). Most years, the drama of it all gets to me and I usually end up yelling “you all need so much therapy!” at my tv. But this year, with the state of the world as it is, the familiar familial drama of the Gilmore family and assorted characters is a welcome comfort.
Despite accidentally naming my two children the same names as the love triangle from Season One, most of my life has not actually been influenced by this show. However, this season, I’ve been noticing and appreciating – even missing – the nostalgia.
Here’s what I’m appreciating about the Gilmore Girls this year:
The Community
The Stars Hollow community is close-knit, they celebrate every occasion in an overdone fashion, and they have each other’s backs. The town seems to be almost entirely walkable.
The Stars Hollow community is something I am personally grateful to have in my own life. I live in a town that happens to be intentionally designed to be walkable and community-oriented. My kids and I spend so much time among our neighbors and attend as many town events as possible. I have frequently sat back at community celebrations and thought “wow, I live in Stars Hollow.”
Small Business Rules
Along with the community focus, another thing I love about Stars Hollow is that there is nary a franchise store in sight except when they go to the mall. Small businesses rule the town, which helps with the community focus of everyone supporting everyone. Luke’s Diner, the Dragonfly Inn, Mrs. Kim’s antiques, Doose’s Market, the bookstore, and everyone else stimulate the local economy by keeping the money in the local community.
An Unplugged Life
In the first season, Rory has a pager. There are references to palm pilots and Blackberries. The phones were flip phones and no one texted. No social media existed yet. When they wanted to watch a movie, they went to the (local) video store and rented a movie. Those were simpler, quieter times.
Uniqueness of Personalities
The primary Gilmore house had a monkey lamp, a Betty Boop head, and whatever other randomly assorted trinkets they found that made them smile. Sookie’s house was similarly very unique to her. Only the home of Richard and Emily Gilmore looked mostly “classic” and traditional, but also a reflection of their personalities.
Living My Gilmore Girls Life
Not since Queer Eye came on the scene have I been inspired by a tv show to make changes in my life, and I am somewhat personally surprised that a fictional show has inspired me to make any sort of changes. But this year I have been focused on making small steps towards living my very specific dream life, and these changes seem like they will all move me in the right direction.
Limit Screen Time
I know I am not alone in my struggle with doomscrolling. Unfortunately, our lives seem somewhat intentionally permanently intertwined with technology at our fingertips. I have considered transitioning to a non-smart phone, but there are too many apps that I need to keep on hand: the QR code to sign my kids in and out of school, my car insurance info is on my phone, etc etc.
So instead, I made some changes to my phone. I switched the colors to greyscale to make the colors less exciting. This is a bonus for my budget because things on Facebook Marketplace look less shiny and tempting.
I also moved all my apps off my home screen, so when I first open up my phone it’s just my background screen (which happens to be my yearly vision board). The removal of visual temptations from all my apps makes the phone less exciting, and the vision board background reminds me of my real goals. It’s very helpful!
Curate a Unique Home
I follow a lot of DIY home renovation moms on Instagram, and I’ve started to notice that a lot of them buy their decor from Amazon, Target, or Walmart, and then share their affiliate links. While I understand from a business model standpoint, I do not believe in supporting mindless consumerism. I am also still boycotting Amazon, Target, and Walmart.
I have had even more of a fun time curating my home from items I find from Marketplace or Goodwill. My mother recently asked me for Christmas gift options for me and I gave her a delightfully obscure list of “6 bronze candlesticks that don’t have to match,” a copy of the 1994 Little Women movie, and a porch goose. And because I am who I am, I said that I would prefer my gifts be purchased secondhand.
The porch goose was especially Lorelei-inspired.
Shop Small with Intention
Aside from shopping from thrift stores, I am committing even more to shopping small as much as possible. We already get our spices and much of our sauces and specialty items from the local Asian market. We get our presents for classmates’ birthday parties at the local movie theater.
But I don’t think my efforts are small and community-focused enough yet. I’m going to explore the local Mexican grocery store soon. I am going to make bringing the kids to the library a more regular part of our entertainment (since there are no more old school video stores).
Live Like a Gilmore
In this time of political instability and division, I think one of the best things we can do as a nation is to support each other by supporting our immediate communities. Get to know your neighbors, find a new local restaurant, shop at a little grocery store in a strip mall, get a library card, and find a local coffee shop to get your morning little treat.
Do you watch Gilmore Girls every fall?
