What I Learned from the ‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’

Orig. Published 3/21/2015

If you have not heard of Netflix’s break-out hit, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, you are missing out. I recently binge-watched the show, and it is easily one of my new favorites! It chronicles the journey of Kimmy Schmidt; a woman abducted and held for 15 years by a crazed “pastor” in an underground bunker cult with three other women. Now 29, and free, this “Indiana Mole-Woman” must make the transition back to the modern world with a 7th-grade education, $13,000, the clothes on her back and her unbreakable spirit. There’s just one catch — Kimmy has chosen to make it in one of the toughest cities in the world, New York City. With the help of a native-New Yorker landlady, a fabulously gay roommate (with a past of his own), and a disillusioned employer, Kimmy manages to start making a new life for herself in the big city filled with ridiculous hi-jinx.

Although most of us cannot relate to being held against our will in a cult, we have all been in situations where we’ve hit rock-bottom. In business, companies fold, people get laid off, deals fall through, clients leave, investors pull out, people say, “No.” (a lot), others discourage you…sh*t inevitably happens. However, being down does not mean that you are out. Kimmy’s fictional life serves as a hilarious case-study on how to pick up the pieces. Through a series of interesting events, we see how her curious mind, “can-do” attitude and unconquerable spirit helps her put her life back together.

Here are a few nuggets of wisdom from Kimmy Schmidt about making it through tough times, and learning to be unbreakable:

Take It 10 Seconds at a Time

“I learned a long time ago that a person can stand just about anything for 10 seconds…Then, you just start another 10 seconds. Just take it 10 seconds at a time. Everything will be okay.”

“Smile, Though Your Heart Is Aching…

“Smile until you feel better. I call it, ‘Kimmying.’”

Life is Tough, but So Are You!

“Life beats you up Titus. It doesn’t matter if you got tooken by a cult or rejected over and over at auditions. You can either curl up in a ball and die…or you can stand up and say, ‘We’re different. We’re the strong ones, and you can’t break us.’ “

You ARE Worthy

“We’re not garbage. We’re human beings.”

Be What You Want and You Will Be Unbreakable

“Be you. Be what you want and then, become UNBREAKABLE!”

For more inspiration on becoming unbreakable, check out these resources:

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A blog dedicated to plus-size women pursuing their dreams in life and business.

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