Carrie Bradshaw is undoubtedly one of the most iconic characters in pop culture history.
As Sex And The City’s inquisitive narrator and main protagonist, Bradshaw, famously played by Sarah Jessica Parker, explored the topics of sex, relationships, and the dating scene in New York City. From wild sexual escapades to intense heartbreak, Bradshaw and her best friends — Charlotte York, Miranda Hobbes, and Samantha Jones — went through it all.
Over the course of the HBO series’ six seasons from 1998 to 2004 and subsequent two follow-up feature films, Bradshaw became more than just a beloved television character. Becoming a kind of real life go-to guru for dating advice (and fashion inspiration), fans were often left complementing their own lives and asking W.W.C.B.D. — What Would Carrie Bradshaw Do?
Now in 2021, Bradshaw is coming back to the small-screen with a Sex And The City reboot on HBO Max. The series, And Just Like That…, will star SJP along with SATC alums, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis, who will all also executive produce, along with Michael Patrick King. Series creator, Darren Star, and actress, Kim Cattrall, will not be returning. According to Variety, the revival will follow Bradshaw, Hobbes and York as “they navigate love and friendship in their 50s.” The series will consist of 10 half-hour episodes and is set to begin production in New York City in late spring.
Bradshaw left us with plenty of solid advice and she’s bound to dish out more in the limited series. From good ways to break up with someone (i.e., definitely not a Post-It) to the importance of self-love, we are revisiting five of the biggest love lessons from the fictional New York Star columnist and how they still stand today.
1. “sometimes it’s really hard to walk in a single woman’s shoes. That’s why we need really special ones now and then to make the walk a little more fun.”
In the season six episode, “A Women’s Right To Shoes,” Carrie’s silver peep-toe Manolos disappear at a baby shower and Miranda insists she should be compensated. The party host offers to pay for them until she finds out they cost $485 and claims the shoes are an irresponsible waste. “She shoe shamed me!,” Carrie reacts to her friends later on and grumbles singles don’t get any gifts after graduation and ends up reflecting on her life that is full of cosmos as opposed to kids. As a way to get a bit of revenge on her friend (and get her shoes back), Carrie announces she’s getting married to herself and registers at Manolo Blahnik.
As it was back in 2004, women today feel an immense amount of pressure to live our lives “right.” Whether that is to get married or have kids, we are often having to explain life choices. Particularly in 2021, social media festers the toxic compare and contrast culture, often giving single women a sense of questioning whether they are “enough.” In the end, Carrie says screw that! Embrace the life you create and don’t feel guilty about treating yourself along the way. And today, with online shopping, that has never been easier.
2. “No matter who broke your heart, or how long it takes to heal, you’ll never go through it without your friends.”
Breakups can be excruciating and Carrie has been through her fair share. In the season two premiere, the fashionista is still reeling from her split with Big. As a way to cheer her up, her friends take her to a baseball game where Carrie gets drunk and hits on a charming rookie player. Determined to get over Big, Carrie takes out the “New Yankee” to a Dolce & Gabbana party but quickly crumbles when she runs into her ex. Realizing she’s not ready to date, Carrie finds solace in her close group of girlfriends, who share their similar experiences.
We’ve all been there, trying to move on quickly or putting a Bandaid over a bleeding heart. Carrie reminds us that surrounding ourselves with those who love us unconditionally is better than any other kind of remedy. Over two decades since that episode aired, the same sentiment rings true.
3. “Some love stories aren’t epic novels — some are short stories. But that doesn’t make them any less filled with love.”
Sure, the SATC films weren’t as good as the series, but one of Carrie’s most moving lessons was taught on the big screen. Throughout the show, sexually liberated and powerful PR exec, Samantha, had never been one to be tied down until she met young actor, Smith Jerrod. After moving to Los Angeles to support his career, Samantha becomes restless in monogamy and resentful that Smith’s needs have taken over her life. Realizing it was time to be selfish and do what made her happy, Samantha ended her four-year relationship with Smith and did so with love and respect.
Too often, we find ourselves staying in situations that no longer serve us or we figure because a relationship doesn’t go the distance it must be a failure. Carrie beautifully explains that not all love stories are the same and not every ending has to be a bad thing. Accepting that is extremely comforting.
4. “There is a good way to break up with someone and it doesn’t include a post-it”
In one of the most memorable episodes of the entire series, Bradshaw is dumped by her writer boyfriend, Jack Berger, via a Post-It note. With a cold message that read, “I’m Sorry I Can’t Don’t Hate Me,” Carrie is enraged as her ex chose this excessively succinct medium to beat her to ending the relationship herself. Attempting to blow off some steam, Carrie and her friends head to new nightclub, Bed, where she uncomfortable runs into Berger’s buddy. Trying to look mature and “over it,” Carrie tries to casually say hi but ends up spiraling and goes off into an unhinged rant about the right and wrong ways to break up with someone. Did she seem crazy, sure, but was she right? Absof***inglutely
Post-Its are still a crappy way to give someone the heave ho, but now with social media, there are so many avenues to get your heart crushed. Let’s stick with Carrie’s rules and avoid breakups by way of Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and anything other than a dignified conversation.
5. “The most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you find someone to love the you that you love, well, that’s just fabulous.”
Bradshaw memorably ended the television series with this poignant quote about self-love. And, in our opinion, this advice never goes out of style.
