Why It's Okay To Be A Lot: Ellen Chooses Herself
The following article contains spoilers from Season 2, Ep 16 of How I Met Your Father aired on June 20, 2023.
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The Jersey Connection, the sixteenth episode of How I Met Your Father (HIMYF), aired on Tuesday. In this episode, Jesse and Ellen are the main characters. Jesse is attempting to understand why his coworkers dislike him, and Ellen is pursuing her girlfriend when she appears to be cheating. The primary cast is seen in Sid's bar as the episode begins.
Rachel searches for an apartment across state lines in order to get away from Ellen, as we learn when Rachel discovers Ellen and Sid lurking in the apartment she's touring. Rachel claims that living right across the hall from Ellen can be too much. She tells Ellen that she needs a buffer and that more space may be beneficial to their relationship. Ellen tells Rachel that she can have her buffer, but she must accept that she will always be a lot to her because that is who she is. And that is something Rachel must consider if she is to continue being in a relationship with her.
Finally, Ellen returns to Sid on the sidewalk in front of the apartment building Rachel was touring and breaks the news to him. To cheer Ellen up, Sid shows her a video of Jesse performing parody songs in a bar.
The most heartwarming aspect of this episode was seeing Ellen stand up for herself. She is known as a huge pushover, as seen in previous episodes, who does anything to make other people happy regardless of her own happiness. Ellen has grown into a powerful character. Instead of attempting to change herself in order to fit into the relationship, she chose herself. She decided to embrace her "a lot" and ended a relationship that was failing. Rachel's inability to express her feelings about Ellen being too much for her and instead opting to move out of state to get away from her was a toxic decision. Ellen's stalking of her own girlfriend also doesn't help her cause. But, in the end, Ellen gained invaluable insight into her personal development.
One of the things I like about HIMYF is that characters can develop in 25 minutes or less. The writers, director, and cast all do an outstanding job of bringing the story to life. It's impressive how the show manages to tackle serious issues like toxic relationships while still maintaining its comedic tone. This is a testament to the skill and talent of everyone involved in the production.
How to Embrace Being A lot: It Can Benefit You in The Long Run
Being a lot means having a lot of love to give, a lot of passion for life, and being unapologetically yourself. This can sometimes come with the connotation of being too much for others to handle or overwhelming. But it's important to remember that being a lot is not a bad thing, and can actually benefit you greatly in the long run.
Embracing your "a lot-ness" means accepting all parts of yourself, including your quirks and flaws. It means recognizing that not everyone will understand or appreciate you, but those who do will love you fiercely and authentically. By being true to yourself and owning your "a lot-ness," you attract like-minded individuals who share your values and passions.
In addition, embracing your "a lot-ness" also means taking risks and pursuing your dreams with determination and resilience. You have the power within you to achieve great things, but it requires trusting in yourself and overcoming any self-doubt or fear of failure.
Ultimately, when you embrace being a lot, you open up endless possibilities for growth, connection, and fulfillment in all areas of life.
A Final Note: Remember That Love Comes in Many Forms
As we reflect on the love story of Ellen and Rachel, it's important to remember that love comes in many different shapes and sizes. It's easy to get caught up in believing that there is only one right way to love or be loved, but this couldn't be further from the truth. Just like people, love is diverse and complex.
Whether it's romantic love, platonic love, familial love, or self-love, all forms of affection are equally valid and worthy of celebration. It's essential to recognize that there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to matters of the heart. The beauty of life is the sheer variety of experiences that come with it – including those related to relationships.
So rather than feeling confined by social constructs or societal expectations surrounding relationships, embrace the diversity that exists within them. Whether you're single or coupled-up, know there are countless ways to experience and express your unique brand of affection – on your own terms.
The Jersey Connection aired with some great life lessons. One of the most important is finding love that doesn't feel like a lot to anyone. Ellen deserves to be in a relationship that is healthy and communicative without diminishing who she is. And so do you.
Don't forget to tune into How I Met Your Father every Tuesday on Hulu!
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