20 lessons from Pixar characters to help you get through life

It’s not hard to think that a singular person is a mere speck on a giant floating rock in space, much like Flik: an itty bitty ant in a world bigger than he’ll ever know. However, Flik proved that it doesn’t take the biggest person (or insect) to have the biggest ideas that can go on and change their world for the better.

In Monsters, Inc., it wasn’t always easy for Mike Wazowski to get ahead, but he often did by just being himself. He wasn’t a monster who could scare, but he stuck to what he did best and wound up transforming his world with laughter.

Dory said it best herself when times get rough, just keep swimming.

Everyone experiences a time in life when change is inevitable, and we have to accept that while the past holds some of our most cherished memories, a future awaits us. We have to move on and make new memories.

Adventure will not be found sitting in one’s chair. It’s outside the front door and beyond.

Life is about balance, and people can only truly appreciate the good in their lives by accepting that bad things will come and go. Every experience plays a part in who people are. 

It’s important to take care of the world around you.

When the world does not work for you, find a way to make it work.

Merida is a princess in a long line of animated royalty, but she was the first to look at the social construct of it all and say, I don’t need a husband. It’s more important to live one’s truth than to live a lie.

Pixar didn’t invent the whole idea of “if you love it, let it go,” but they demonstrated it wonderfully for a new generation with Arlo and Spot in The Good Dinosaur.

Going to try and type this without crying because, well, Coco. Anyway, it’s important to keep the memories of loved ones alive and well long after they are gone because while they are no longer on earth, they are still integral to our being.

Not everyone’s spark is apparent, but that doesn’t mean anyone shouldn’t live their life to the fullest.

Lightning McQueen tried to do a rush job, which wound up biting him in the tailpipe. Just take the time to do things right; there’s no rush.

People’s interactions with one another have an impact, big and small. If Mr. Incredible had been nicer to Syndrome, there’s no telling how that kid’s life would have turned out.

Growing up happens whether people want it, but with Mei in Turning Red, the true lesson is that everyone goes through the nightmare of puberty.

Accept who you are, trash or not.

Families come in all shapes and sizes; some have one parent, some are just siblings, some have two moms, and some are raised by grandparents. No matter what, though, as long as the love is there, that’s all that matters.

Worrying about the future is natural, but when it can be overwhelming, remember to breathe.

Sulley started as a big shot, a scary monster but then allowed himself to realize that he was more. People (and monsters) are allowed to change with time. Don’t stick yourself in a box.

When the many bands together, there is nothing they can’t do when going up against the few that hold power.