Friends Might Leave Netflix, but It Won't Leave My Heart

Friends, the TV show, used to be a huge part of my life growing up. I remember winding down to it every night during my college days. After long hours of necessary commuting, watching Friends in the comfort of my room gave me that warm and fuzzy feeling—sort of like a home within a home. It eventually became a cycle: finishing the tenth season and then starting all over again from the pilot.

Yes, I have attachment issues with TV shows—and Friends is just that.

Last night, after a long day at work, I walked home feeling a little... dispirited. I wasn’t sure what was on my mind, but I knew I was searching for something deeper. Was it a clue, perhaps, as to why the days have been rushing by so quickly this past year? I mean, it’s already July, for goodness’ sake. I didn’t think I’d done anything meaningful beyond going to work and updating my blog.

The reality of being an eight-to-five worker for almost six years finally caught up to me. “Do I really want to do this for the rest of my life?” As much as I love being a corporate worker, this routine eventually felt more like a bind. I could easily break free, of course, but if I did, what would I do next? Become a full-time blogger?

I would certainly love that, but let’s be real: money doesn’t grow on trees—or on my keyboard every time I hit the post button.

Once I got home, I suddenly felt the pull to return to the old habit. I wanted to rewatch Friends. I needed it. But Friends had already left Netflix, remember? And I didn’t have an HBO Max subscription. What a way to be affected by a production company’s decision.

Thankfully, the franchise has an official YouTube channel with many funny clips from the show (YouTube, I love you). I decided to watch some of them and had a good laugh. And just like old times, I found a home within a home again. Seeing Rachel conclude a scene by saying, “Ahhh, salmon skin roll,” made me feel a little better. It might sound weird to think a freshwater eel could be the reason, but it actually represents a lot more than that.

I was a college girl through and through when I was obsessed with Friends years ago. I didn’t have a job, barely had money in my account, and didn’t know what the future held—but I remember being enthusiastic about growing up and living the life I had long desired. Friends, in a way, epitomized how past me imagined my life would look—as fashionable as Rachel, as organized as Monica, and as free-spirited as Phoebe.

Rewatching Friends last night made me realize that even if I haven’t had my life 100% figured out, I’ve become someone past me would be really proud of, and that alone is enough. Sometimes, the spark that fuels enthusiasm dims, but that doesn’t mean life is meaningless. I’m human with real emotions. I just have to work to fall in love with everything all over again.

Just like Monica said in the pilot episode, “Welcome to the real world. It sucks. You’re gonna love it.”

If you like this post, you might also enjoy A Weekend at Home, Where the Questions Begin and A Quarter-Life Situation.