I love comedy.
Itโs such a delicate art in the form of funny faces. Behind the silly conversations and laughter, subtle life lessons are hidden. Thatโs why I love it. My heroes all know how to use and respect humor: Carl Sagan, Richard Feynman, Julia Child, and especially those in the comedy industry: Tina Fey, Mindy Kaling, and Miranda Hart. Theyโve always been there for me through good times and bad with their smart conversations and their ability to make me laugh.
Miranda is a show created by Miranda Hart, an English comedienne, as a semi-biographical sitcom. Ever since I watched the first episode, I became a massive fan. Thereโs just something special about Miranda. Sheโs pure, inexperienced, clumsy, awkward, and frank. Sheโs an underdog who we all can relate to. The show ended after five years of running. It was one of the best shows Iโve ever seen, and I watch a lot of comedy!
Lesson 1: Know how to entertain yourself
Miranda doesnโt have a lot of friends. Sheโs not good at dating either. Sheโs awkward and unique. But she doesnโt let it affect her in negative ways. Instead, she makes fruit friends, jumps on the bed, plays human velcro ball catcher, sings and dances. Sheโs the perfect example of how you have to know how to make yourself feel better, no matter what.
Throughout my life Iโve encountered lots of grown-ups who have had no idea how to use their free time. Itโs fine when they are in their normal routine: going to work, coming home, cooking, watching TV, and sleeping, but the problem comes when thereโs a sudden change. When theyโre given a window of free time, they are lost. It happens a lot in Korea, where everyoneโs used to having a tightly packed routine. Iโve been asked questions like, โWhat should my hobby be?โ
Try to understand who you are, and donโt waste your valuable free time. Entertain yourself in those precious moments. Sing, dance, watch movies, have a TV show marathon, cook, hike, anything.
Lesson 2: Life is (or can be) a Musical
What Miranda taught us over the last five years is to sing and dance as much as you can!
Lesson 3: Have a Friend who can share the silliness
Miranda and Stevie are best friends and business partners. But thereโs something special about their relationship. While Stevie is more of a high-achiever, sheโs a constant support to Miranda and they enjoy their games and competitions. They play games like Where is Miranda and Pepperoni Jenga, host sherry and cake night, and often get into odd competitions.
Itโs important to have someone to share the silliness. Someone who doesnโt judge or criticize. They are usually the one who sticks around in the hard times. Just like Stevie and Miranda.
Lesson 4: Donโt take yourself too seriously
“Iโve tried to be a grownup. But I have no interest in living by the adult rule book. I want to do fun things that make me happy, which by the way, for the record, include making vegeta-pals. Meet Mr. Butternut. You might call me a child. Good. If adults had even a slightest in the moment joy of a child then frankly the world would be a better place.โ
She sums it up pretty well. While growing up, we are taught to be more grown-up, serious, and dignified. We often make the false connection between behaviors or appearance and intelligence. But we donโt need to take ourselves too seriously. The show Miranda and her successful comedy career never would have taken off if she were defensive of her own life. The show is exaggerating things that didnโt go well in her real life. See? Itโs okay to goof around. Itโs okay to laugh at funny words, sing out loud, and gallop instead of run. Why not? It doesnโt mean that youโre not mature. That attitude comes from an individualโs insecurity. We are taught to โactโ dignified because thatโs how people judge each other. If you are truly a mature and dignified person, you shouldnโt be afraid of what other people think of your jolliness.
Lesson 5: Love is important, but it’s not everything
โSince I split up with Gary, Iโve truly sorted out who I really am.โ
Miranda announced that after her final break-up with Gary, the one who she’d been in love with for the last fifteen years. Their paths crossed many times, but it seemed like it was too difficult. But at the end of the series, Miranda gave us a great ending: their wedding.
They had numerous bumps on the way, but finally found each other. Itโs a great romance that everyone had hoped to see, but it was more meaningful because it happened after Miranda got to know herself more and found out that she could be independent without love, or Gary. Finding love is important, maybe the most important thing in oneโs life, but it is certainly not everything. Love can only happen when individuals are independent, and content in their own lives.

If you want to know more about Miranda Hart, and you should, here are some starter’s kit.
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I love her! I used to watch her show when I was in London. Some of the episodes made me laugh so much my tummy hurt. i need to go back to watching it.
I know, right? It’s one of those shows that makes me laugh out loud even I’m alone in the house. She has a talent.
I’ve only seen one season of Miranda, but I do love that show! Love the lessons you learned from it. ๐
She’s the best. ๐ But the real life Miranda Hart is quite different. I love them both! ๐
i’ve never heard of her … but then again, i don’t watch much television. going to have to put this on the list, as i like the lessons!
What great advice. We like #4 the most – we aim to never grow up in some ways, always wanting to enjoy simply pleasures, like seeing an animal in the wild, and always being able to laugh. I’ve already made a plan of dying my hair purple once I get white hair – I see it as a tapestry. ๐
It’s looks like you are indeed having lots of fun in your life!
We believe that while love IS everything but doesn’t need to have a narrow definition of a romantic love to another person. Love for oneself, love for one’s friends and family and love for the world are very important too. ๐
I love these lessons!! My personal favorite is #5: Love is important, but it’s not everything.
That’s pretty powerful stuff, if you ask me! People tend to put love up on a pedestal and seek it in favor of developing themselves as an individual first. I know I used to be guilty of that!