Friends had several life lessons in store over the course of its ten-season run, and Rachel Green certainly delivered her fair share of them. In fact, given Rachel's significant story arc, her life lessons are that much more plentiful, since her character grew up and changed so much over the course of the series. For example, Rachel tried to break up Ross's wedding to Emily, audiences agreed with Phoebe in thinking that that was a bad idea.
Additionally, later on, Rachel showed audiences the importance of adjusting to change, especially when she left her old life and Barry behind to begin anew. Overall, Rachel is a meaningful character that just so happens to also be a provider of significant life lessons.
Impulsiveness Isn't Necessarily The Best Answer
Oftentimes, Rachel had her moments of impulsivity. Audiences certainly remember her greatest hit; that being the time she got on a plane to London, intending to break up Ross and Emily's wedding.
Rachel had imagined that Ross would pick her and sweep her off her feet, but ultimately, Rachel decided to refrain from telling Ross how she felt. Unfortunately, Ross messed up anyway, and Rachel took his honeymoon to Greece alone, which only upset her further. Impulsiveness doesn't always pay off, and Rachel's choices prove that.
Pick Your Battles
Sometimes, Rachel picked a fight where there needn't be one. Take for instance when she kept talking about the letter she wrote to Ross, and he eventually blew up at her over it. There were even times where her pranking or her little digs at Ross were unnecessary, as she tried to provoke Ross, especially after their break-up.
Over the course of the series, Rachel matured and learned how to pick her battles; for instance, she was entirely in the right when she was furious over the fact that Ross had lied about getting an annulment. She learned how to let things go, and even found herself taking Ross's "we were on a break" less personally down the line.
It's Never Too Late To Follow Your Dreams
Rachel was in her late twenties when she decided to not marry Barry and start an entirely new life. She didn't get her dream job right away, but with hard work and perseverance, she achieved her dream career and more. Even at her thirtieth birthday party, Rachel feared that she was running out of time to marry and have a family, and it wasn't long afterwards that she found herself with Emma, her daughter.
She and Ross had their ups and downs, but she ultimately got off the plane for him, didn't she? Her life changed drastically in the show's decade-long run, and her story more than shows that it's never too late to follow dreams and achieve goals.
Don't Compare Your Life To Other People's
Rachel had a really hard time with this particular life lesson back in Season 1, when she was comparing her life to those of her old friends in "The One With George Stephanopoulos." When her three friends come to Central Perk and tell her they're pregnant, getting promoted or will soon be married, Rachel doesn't handle any of it well, and wonders if she's doing the right thing as her life isn't progressing like theirs is.
Everyone has their own timeline, and it does nothing to compare them, except provide plenty of doubt and anxiety. Rachel's timeline turned out perfectly, considering she went from a waitress to an executive in the fashion industry, and she even had a daughter. This particular life lesson comes up often, and it's good to have the reminder that it's better to refrain from comparisons.
Change Is Scary, But Not Impossible
Most everyone will agree that change is scary. It's the fear of the unknown at work. Rachel certainly had a big change going from spoiled rich girl to broke waitress, but it was the change she needed to get her life going in the direction she really wanted. Still, she had a hard time adjusting, especially when she went out and bought a new pair of boots, and later had to cut her credit cards.
However, this was a good thing, because it ultimately made her a better person, and she gained the independence that she had wanted all along, and her dream career in fashion to go with it. Yes, change is terrifying, but it's not impossible, and it's usually positive, which Rachel's storyline more than demonstrates.
Make Mistakes And Take Risks
If audiences never took risks and made mistakes, they likely wouldn't get to where they want to go, and they wouldn't learn anything. Rachel made plenty of missteps throughout the show, but she took something from each struggle, and more importantly, she survived them. No matter how embarrassed or hurt or sorry she was, Rachel learned and moved on.
Despite her disastrous interview at Ralph Lauren, she marched right back in for another interview and it got her the job, as she pointed out why she should be hired based on the fact that she had the gumption to return. Rachel's mishaps may be a source of comedy from time to time, but they're also integral life lessons.
Rely On Those Closest To You
If not for her friends, especially Monica, Rachel would have been far more lost and alone in her new journey, as Monica was the one to give her a place to live while Rachel started her new chapter.
Rachel may not have done the dishes or the laundry, but Rachel was a good friend to Monica, being there for her when Monica and Richard broke up, and when Monica found the love of her life in Chandler. Having that support system is very important; Rachel sought out her friends plenty of times through good and bad, and they helped her through.
Hard Work Pays Off
Rachel didn't start out working her dream job, given that she was a waitress at Central Perk when the series began. However, it was a stepping stone to the new life Rachel was creating for herself after she had run out on her wedding to Barry.
She found her way in the adult world, learning from her friends and peers, and learning other things for herself too, of course. She eventually took the leap to find employment in the fashion industry and worked hard the whole way through. She wouldn't have gotten that amazing opportunity in Paris had she not taken risks and put in the time and effort, and that is one of the best life lessons she could have provided audiences with.
Give Yourself Time To Figure Things Out
Rachel had no idea what was coming next after she ran out on her wedding. She didn't know what to expect, or even what direction she wanted to go. She just found her way in time, with help from her friends, of course.
Watching Rachel's journey offers integral life lessons, as it shows audiences that life doesn't have to be figured out right away; in fact, taking time and learning from experiences is one of the best things audiences can do when navigating their own lives in deciding what they want for themselves. Rachel changed a lot between Seasons 1 and 10, and she still had plenty of adventures in store.
If It's Meant To Be, It Will Be
Rachel and Ross are a love story for the books. Their love story certainly isn't perfect, but it played out the way it was ultimately supposed to. In Season 10, their romantic reconnection was apparent, but it wasn't forced or pressured. It gradually unfolded in its own time, and the two realized that they were meant to be together. They were finally on the same page, both were single, and Rachel wasn't trying to break up Ross's wedding. Everything worked out the way it was meant to, and this life lesson is certainly a valuable one.