Lessons from Wednesday Addams : Authenticity

Life Lessons from the Strange and Gothic

We all know that Wednesday Addams dances to the beat of her own drum. As the gothic girl in pigtail braids grows into the gothic young woman. In Netflix’s new series, Wednesday, we discover the significance of embracing that strange beat.

Inspired by Amy Mars writing for CBR, the life lessons we can take away from this beloved, creepy character:

	It’s okay to be different, even when everyone else seems the same. Heading for Nevermore, a school for “outcasts,” might’ve meant Wednesday would immediately fit in. But she still finds herself an outsider. While this could’ve been a disaster, eventually, she adapts. Mars says the lesson is that “you won’t always befriend people who are similar to you,” and that’s okay.
	“Strange” can be a complement. Even among her decidedly strange family, Wednesday stands out in the best way. Her popularity among Addams Family fans is proof, Mars tells us, that “sometimes it’s the people who act differently from others who are the most fun to be around.”
	Even “bad guys” have a backstory. Like most shows, and, sometimes, real life, Wednesday has its antagonists. But as the show goes on, we learn that, as in life, there’s more to the story. Mars says the lesson is that “sometimes, even the most unpleasant people act out because they are going through their own issues.”
	Every story has at least two sides. In Wednesday, viewers are shocked to find that loveable Gomez is wanted for murder. But his daughter isn’t convinced and seeks out her own answers. Though our own brushes with misinformation probably aren’t as dire, it’s a good lesson that, Mars writes, “to get proper answers, all sides need to be heard in order to understand and find out the truth.”
	We all need a little help from our friends. At first, Wednesday has no interest in making friends at Nevermore, but as time goes on, she learns to open up and rely on her new friend, Enid. The same, of course, goes for real life. Mars writes, “We all need to have a friend sometimes.”
	Individuality is an honor. An important theme in Wednesday and throughout the Addams family’s history is that, as Mars writes, “it’s okay to be different.” That’s because even though you may be dancing to the beat of your own drum, it’s still absolutely a song worth listening to.

Speaking of dancing, the instantly iconic viral dance scene from Wednesday was researched and choreographed by lead actor Jenna Ortega herself! With only a week to plan and film, Screen rant reports Ortega was inspired by “dance moves popular among 1980s Goth bands and in Goth clubs.”

Pro Tip: So many of our assumptions are only “skin deep.” Just as the Addamses’ strangeness doesn’t mean they’re bad people. Sometimes those who work hard to cultivate a “nice” persona aren’t as genuinely kind. Because of this, it’s essential to not judge books by their covers and learn who people truly are.

Working Like You’re Wednesday

Across decades of cartoons, TV series, and movies, the character of Wednesday Addams is consistently true to her authentic self. And while for her, that means wearing all black and enjoying her hobbies on the decidedly creepy side. We can all find inspiration and follow her lead by choosing to be ourselves unapologetically.

For actor Jenna Ortega, keeping true to Wednesday’s character in the Netflix series meant stepping out of her comfort zone and honing new skills. These included learning to play the cello, how to fence, and even how to speak a bit of German.

Emulating Wednesday’s comfort with her identity brings perks. Even if we don’t share her droll commentary on the world’s ills or spend time with a disembodied hand. Inspired by Gina Belli writing for Payscale, consider the benefits of embracing your authentic self:

	It builds trust. Authenticity is a form of honesty. When you’re open about who you truly are, Belli writes, “it encourages others to be relaxed as well as honest and direct with you.”
	It feels good. Acting in ways that are different from how you feel creates an uncomfortable cognitive dissonance. Instead, Belli shares, “you’ll feel much better if your words and actions are aligned with your true beliefs.”
	It makes you stronger. Embracing your own authenticity is its own superpower. While it may make you feel vulnerable at first, Belli writes that acting authentically means “you’re not only comfortable with yourself, you’re also comfortable connecting with others.”

Watch: Madison Butler for Harvard Business Review, tackles questions about what it means to have autonomous authenticity at work

Take Away: Let’s be honest, pretending to be something or someone you’re not is exhausting. Imagine Wednesday Addams trying to be bright and bubbly instead of her true self. Research links happiness with authenticity, stressing an intrinsic connection between them.