Why being a goldfish is important for mental health.
Unlike people who rely on the wise words of Plato, Socrates or Descartes to determine the meaning of life, I base my existence on an aquatic pet store creature — the goldfish.
It may only cost less than 50 pence at your local pet shop to own one of these bad boys, but the decision will teach you a valuable life lesson: to live your life like a goldfish.
I gained this mantra from the one and only Ted Lasso (played by Jason Sudeikis).
In one scene on an episode, one of his players makes a mistake that results in a goal for the other team. He beats himself up over it on the pitch, and Lasso calls the player to the sideline to chat with him.
“What’s the happiest animal in the world?” asks Lasso.
The player, puzzled, says he has no idea.
“Goldfish,” Lasso replies. “You know why the goldfish is the happiest animal on earth?”
Again, the player has no clue.
“Got a 10 second memory,” answers Lasso.
Then he says one more thing before sending the player back on the pitch.
“Be a goldfish.”
This beautiful life motto and many other inspirational quotes come from the Apple TV+ show “Ted Lasso,” which has won the hearts of millions
. But one may wonder, how did it gain so much adoration and praise? On the outside, it just looks like an everyday, run-of-the-mill single-camera comedy series with a semi-famous lead actor who used to be on “Saturday Night Live.” But, it’s so much more.
The show focuses on its main character Lasso, a college football coach from Kansas, who is hired to lead a professional 'soccer' team in England — even though he has absolutely no experience coaching the sport.
What started off as a setup to have the team fall to their doom led to a workplace family all revolving around Lasso with his Southern charm and teddy-bear-like warmth.
While the script is filled with quirky humor, British innuendos and the occasional f-word every now and then, what makes Ted Lasso sparkle are the splices of advice and inspiration in the most perfect way — not too preachy and not too sarcastic.
My personal favorites include: “Your body is like day-old rice. If it ain’t warmed up properly, something real bad could happen” and “Taking on a challenge is a lot like riding a horse, isn’t it? If you’re comfortable while doing it, you’re probably doing it wrong.”
I started watching this show during lockdown, at a time when mental resilience was being tested to its maximum, it still made an impact on me despite being about a sport we were being forced to keep away from and "Stay at Home and Save Lives."
I had been dealing with an intense form of anxiety as a result of pressures within my own work and indeed wondering if my own relegation was inevitable.
Out of nowhere, I felt an extreme amount of pressure in my chest, clammy hands and even an accelerated heart rate.
I naively thought it was the beginning of a calamitous health issue.
But, after going to the doctor it was all anxiety.
I was shocked. I was someone who always stayed positive and maintained a healthy work-life balance - or so I thought.
How could I be experiencing an anxiety attack, even with everything that was bubbling under in the background?
After all, I am a man who talks passionately about the subjects I believe in and will happily face adversity for the greater good.
When I was in the middle of coping with my anxiety, I met Ted.
After hearing numerous recommendations, I plunged into “Ted Lasso.” And by plunged, I mean I watched the first season religiously every week.
Lasso’s inspiration and consistent outlook on positivity gave me glimpses into how I can stay afloat, cope with my anxiety and go back to living my life. Watching this show now gives me comfort; I can almost say Lasso was my coach encouraging me toward success as well as my therapist (in some sense) helping me strive for happiness.
Audiences were also given a glimpse of Lasso’s own mental health struggles, specifically with anxiety and trusting therapists in the second season — which concreted the idea in my perfectionist brain that it’s okay to not be okay.
Appearing on screens after a 2 year hiatus and after a poignant 'triumph over adversity' end to the second season, the show has been renewed for a possibly final season, according to Sudeikis.
But if the show, as expected, comes to an end at the climax of the current, and third, season its impact will be felt for years to come.
So, will I try to be like a goldfish for the rest of my life?
I will try, but I don’t know if a 10-second memory will help me drive forward our agendas.
Nevertheless, I will faithfully stand by anything Mr. Ted Lasso says, and you should too.
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