The pop culture obsession that dominates my life has manifested into 2022 mantras.
I’m past the halfway point of January! All things concerned, I think it’s going well. With all the goals I have for the new year, it’s important for me to stay on target, with motivation at every corner.
Naturally, my motivational mantras lie in organically sourced pop culture.
Media takes on previously established phrases have circled my brain since the final week of 2021. I decided to incorporate the message behind them into my daily routine, just to keep me on target.
When people think of mantras, they think of flowy, optimistic, peaceful words of zen. Mine, however, are a bit less flowy, and a lot more showy.
My 2022 Mantras
- “Everything’s coming up Milhouse!” I spent the final days of 2021 pregaming for the new year. Subsequently, I’ve had a decent start! As a result, I think that that manifesting positive thinking helped. In my latest bouts of regression, I’ve started rewatching “The Simpsons.” If you were to ask me a year ago what was the first show I fell for, was obsessed with, I’d tell you it was “Scrubs.” This is not to say that “Scrubs” isn’t a good show, but it’s hardly my first. “The Simpsons” was! Watching it now, as an adult, I realize now how much “The Simpsons” played a role in my life. I watched reruns of it every day after I finished my homework. I would watch DVDs of it on repeat. In fact, I’ve come to the conclusion that my love of horror and comedy in hybrid has roots in my love for the Halloween episodes, “Treehouse of Horror.” My first introduction to Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven” happened through a “Treehouse of Horror,” as did my first introduction to “Nightmare on Elm Street” and “The Shining“! Watching the episodes now, I remember how much I loved it then. In fact, I still think it’s a fun watch! At any rate, in a moment of optimism, adorable (but a bit weird) Milhouse Van Houten proclaims “Everything’s coming up Milhouse!” His sheer contentment in his momentary stroke of luck stayed with me. Anytime something has gone right for me this year, I’ve said “Everything’s coming up Milhouse!” I know the original phrase is “Everything’s coming up roses,” but I like this take more. This mantra keeps me grateful and optimistic!
- “He who hesitates, disintegrates!” This one hasn’t gotten the meme treatment as much as mantra 1. However, it’s newer, and I like it just the same. The original phrase, “He who hesitates is lost,” is fine, but there’s no rhyme! No drama! No fun! This take comes from a “Supernatural” episode, featuring Misha Collins as the devil. I don’t have time to unpack all of it right now. In the context of this mantra, I often find myself waiting for someone’s approval to do something, or waiting around for someone else to do something for me. Why wait, when I can do it myself? “He who hesitates, disintegrates,” in my head, means “If you take too long, I’ll take the initiative and do it myself.” Dishes have been done, light bulbs have been changed, and rooms have been cleaned based on this mantra. Now that’s productive!
- “Don’t give up, you’ve got the music in you.” This last mantra comes from the New Radicals song, “You Get What You Give.” A nineties banger to end all bangers, this absolute jam has found its way onto my “Recently Played” list more days than one this year. The song itself reminds me of my mom (it’s one of her favorites), so that alone makes me smile. The opening notes are so recognizable to me, and I always smile when I hear them. This song isn’t the first time to use the phrase “Don’t give up!” or “You’ve got the music in you!” However, they put the two together so perfectly, and so filled with hope. How can you be afraid to live when you hear that song?
My 2022 mantras are light, fun, but have a clear message. I am optimistic, ambitious, and ready to live life to the fullest! Show me your worst, 2022!
Actually, please don’t, because 2020 and 2021 was pretty bad and we as a society could use a year to coast. But you get it.