Lessons from Queer Eye
WARNING - Not really an organizing post, but if you're a fellow QE fan, you may enjoy!
I just completed my binge-watch of all the new episodes of Queer Eye. There is SO MUCH to love about that show: learning the stories of the makeover subjects, the dynamics of the Fab 5, listening to JVN say literally anything HENNY, and of course watching the people transform and happy crying at the end. It's exactly what this world needs in the dumpster fire news cycle we are on these days.
You could watch that show strictly for the feel-good vibes and be completely satisfied, but if you want to pick up other life, decorating, home and grooming tips, there are plenty of those too. For my fellow QE devotees, here are my favorite takeaways:
1. Your space should be a reflection of you at your best. Whenever Bobby is making over a space, he always takes care to make it beautiful, but in a way that reflects the unique preferences, families and experiences of the person. He finds a place for photos and mementos and displays them beautifully. When he's talking with the subject, he asks questions about what is important to them and designs accordingly. We should all do the same thing in our own homes. It is possible for our homes to be beautiful, functional and reflect our individuality!
2. Work with what you've got. Between Tan's wardrobe makeovers and JVN's grooming to Antoni's cooking and Karamo's "culture" (the muddiest of the categories), the guys always ask questions about how the person is already functioning. They don't try to make them completely different - the goal is to elevate what they already have and make it the BEST possible version. I love this goal for myself as well - I have such a propensity to constantly be aiming to radically transform myself, when it would be far healthier and certainly give me more joy to just work on elevating what I'm already doing and aim for gradual improvements. It's certainly more helpful than always criticizing my own shortcomings.
3. Stop comparing yourself to others. So many of us (including myself), struggle with the comparison game. Especially in the social media age, where comparison is the easiest game in the world to play, it can be so difficult to just stay in our own lane and walk your own genuine path. The Fab 5 are such a great example of how to live your own life, not waste your time worrying about what others think, and be true to the person you know yourself to be.
Ahhh, Queer Eye. You have given me so many hours of viewing pleasure. I will miss you desperately, and especially since I haven't caught on to the Game of Thrones madness, I am not sure what I will replace you with. I'm taking suggestions!
