Lady Bird

Seen Lady Bird? I just watched it and let me tell you, it has me messed up.

For two main reasons. Well, a few actually.

For one reason — high school — ew, yuck, what a horrible, miserable, confusing time of life.

For another reason, high school relationships (romantic and platonic) are so messy and there’s always a social climb aspect — always trying to impress someone. It’s so unfair: We have to learn such important life lessons while our pre-frontal lobes are still forming. No wonder we make such terrible decisions, especially when it comes to “relationships.”

I put relationships in quotation marks because do they even count at that point? They definitely do leave a lasting effect, but can’t we all just forget about them because they’re so excruciatingly unintentional and awkward. Like when “Lady Bird” loses her virginity to her boyfriend Kyle (my love Timothée Chalamet who I now somewhat despise because of his character in this movie, but not actually because Call Me By Your Name) and he’s so nonchalant about it whilst she’s freaking out because he lied about losing his virginity. I’m not sure why it’s such a big event for girls compared to guys. Well, of course I know why and it should be because we are 100 million times more precious than men ever will be, but like also I hate/hated the whole charade and importance of the event itself.

Also, the irony that my boyfriend was pissed I forgot when I lost my virginity to him. Why? Not why was he pissed, but why did I forget? Probably because I tried to block out the fact that my older boyfriend had been pressuring me to do something that was in no way, shape or form romantic — something that was new and scary and if anything just a ritualistic act humans partake in. Only holding the value that it was something I had never done before that everyone is apparently supposed to experience, but is this really how it’s supposed to go? So unexceptional? Not that the act was with some stranger and it’s not like I didn’t love my boyfriend, but the whole thing is just so foreign and weird.

Lady Bird also showcases the ever-so complicated relationship between mothers and daughters. Why is this such a thunderstorm, cluster of a thing? Because women are emotional, care the most, compete, challenge, love, and are extra. That’s why. Some more than others. I adored the loving/complex relationship between Christine a.k.a “Lady Bird” and her mother because it shows how they can disagree, yet care so deeply about each other at the same time. That’s true, unconditional love and understanding. That’s how you maintain a healthy relationship. Honesty with care.

^^ Blu Jay