It’s still early in 2016, which means everywhere you look you see advertisements for self-improvement methods and optimistic social media posts hashtagged with #NewYearNewMe. Here’s the good news: If you’re a Disney fan, you already have a cast of characters at your disposal with some great, adaptable habits. In fact, as you approach the level of peak Disney fan, you’ll probably find yourself adopting new habits without even realizing it. Here are 11 indicators that being a Disney fan is also helping you be a better human:
1. You develop patience.
Wise to resolve and patient to perform, you are willing to wait to get what you want. Whether it’s standing in line for your favorite ride at Disneyland, counting down the weeks until the new Tsum Tsum collection is released, or even taking care of all of your chores so you can curl up and watch a Disney movie, you know that the best things in life are worth waiting for.
2. You see the power in letting things go.
Holding onto past hurts and negativity can prevent you from becoming the person (or queen) you’re meant to be. We all know what we have to do with those hardships and hang-ups.
3. You become a better friend.
Toy Story showed us a different side of friendship. John Lasseter once said, “The goal of a buddy picture is to make the characters as opposite as possible, and I thought, ‘What is more opposite of a spaceman than a cowboy?’ Perfect!” When you’re a Disney fan, you know that even though people can be as different as night and day, we all share similarities that bring us together. This knowledge helps you understand the pals you already have … and may inspire you to befriend people you don’t know yet!
4. You learn what it really means to be brave.
Sometimes bravery looks like a knight in shining armor battling a dragon to save a princess, but other times it looks like stepping up to be the leader you’re meant to be. Being brave doesn’t mean you go looking for trouble, but it does mean that when trouble finds you, you’re willing to face your deepest fears to do the right thing. The Lion King is a staple for every true Disney fan (and if you’re really a fan, you are probably already familiar with all of Rafiki’s quotes about bravery and other topics).
5. You remember that your heart matters more than your appearance.
It’s okay to have a huge castle and hundreds of books, but without a kind friend to enjoy them with, what’s really the point? And everyone knows that to have good friends, you have to be a good friend — and that starts with having a good heart. Beast had to learn this lesson the hard way, but everything turned out pretty great for him in the end.
6. You know that teamwork makes the dream work.
Teams and families come in all shapes and sizes, but you need everyone to get the job done. When it comes to the teams you’re on, you appreciate everyone for the special talents they bring to the table.
7. You realize the importance of being yourself.
To our last point, there are so many people with special skills and talents. It can be easy to get discouraged and think we need to change ourselves to seem better, stronger, or smarter than we feel we actually are. If you’re an Aladdin fan, you’ve seen firsthand the importance of being yourself and staying true to who you really are. You recognize that there are qualities within you that are simply amazing, and even more that you have yet to discover!
8. You’re conscious of the world around you.
You know how important it is to take care of our earth, and you don’t take that responsibility lightly. You’re diligent about keeping your world clean and are adamant about recycling your empty bottles and cups when you’re visiting Disneyland. (And you might snap a picture or two of the trash cans while you’re at it).
9. Family comes first.
Mulan’s selflessness to her immediate family and the family she builds in the army, is an example for every Disney fan of what it looks like when someone finds themselves through a devotion to something greater. Whether your commitment is to your family, friends, or a cause you stand for, you realize that the greatest reward is caring for the ones that you love the most and putting them first.
10. You know that patience and perseverance go fin-in-fin.
It’s one thing to wait for something good to come along, but it’s another to keep enduring and persisting through something that may be difficult. Of course, you hope it will be worth it in the end, but sometimes you find yourself swimming, swimming, swimming, and not knowing what will be next. Like Dory, you know that you just have to keep going and trust that it’s all going to work out in the end.
11. You become a better cook.
If you’ve ever been to Epcot Food and Wine Festival, you know the struggle that is finding a dish you love and trying to recreate it in your kitchen. It might take some practice, but with a little faith, trust, and possible assistance from a friendly rodent, your cooking skills can go from “ugh” to “whoa!” in no time flat.
How has being a Disney fan made you a better person? Tell us in the comments!
