So Long, Farewell to Ted Lasso

When was the last time a television show united so many people around the world with such positive concepts while also helping us learn a little bit about ourselves along the way? Despite its popularity, shows like Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad, Succession, and Lost aren't in the same rarified air that Ted Lasso finds itself. The nearest comparison might be if Mister Roger openly dealt with his mental health while also coaching The Care Bears. The closest I ever came to that was during medicine-induced fever dream back in junior high.

Perhaps that's where we find ourselves now: in a 21st century mashup of Mister Roger's and The Care Bears (minus the fever dream). If you've been watching the show since it premiered in 2020 then you probably have felt numerous life lessons from the show seep into your own life. You also might find yourself quite sad as the seemingly series finale has aired and wrapped up while on an absolute high in popular culture.

As the series looks to close up shop I find myself reflecting on just a few of the amazing life lessons this show has taught me. Note: this show has oodles of lessons baked into it and these are just a few of my favorites.

Biscuits with the Boss

One of the things I believe in is the power of connection. Not the superficial or polite kind we experience in most of our daily interactions; the small talk about the weather, connecting about a work project, or smiling at your neighbor even though you secretly know they're using your Wi-Fi. No, I'm talking about the genuine connection and curiosity we seem to so rarely allow ourselves space to sit in with each other.

Ted does this right away in the second episode as he brings his new boss, Rebecca, shortbread cookies (biscuits) and immediately starts to get curious about who she is as a person. She finds herself answering a bit of his questions but ultimately deflecting and protecting herself from truly being vulnerable with someone. Yet over the course of the entire show they end up learning about each other and growing as individuals along the way while developing a strong connection.

Make Your Biscuits

• Reflect on the people in your life (personally and professionally) and when the last time you truly connected with them. Give yourself a goal of picking one person and just reach out to them in the next week with no intention other than checking in with them. Actual biscuits optional yet delicious.

Lion or Panda

What would you rather be: a Lion or a Panda? That's the question Keeley asks Ted and Rebecca as she ponders which animal design to pick as part of an upcoming photo shoot. Ted goes with Panda and Rebecca with Lion, going so far to slay the fictional Panda and fully declare there is only one true answer (Lion).

Enter Jamie Tartt. Asked the same question Jamie seems confused by what he feels is a silly question. To him the answer is simple:

"Coach, I'm me. Why would I want to be anything else?"

All Ted can do is respond with "I'm not sure you realize how psychologically healthy that actually is." If only all of us could sit so comfortably within ourselves as Jamie seems to (and if only we all had such a catchy theme song).

Be You

• In a world seemingly filled with countless expectations on us (both real and perceived) it can be hard for each of us to authentically be ourselves. And let's be very clear: it is VASTLY easier for a person like me (white, straight, cisgender, male) to be me than any other type of person. I also do have a feeling that there is one universal truth to "being you" and it begins with either family, community, or friends. Finding a person or people who can you be yourself around and who give you feedback as well as provide you support and allyship in times of need.

Believe

After three seasons and a number of mustached monologues, Ted has seemingly rode off into the sunset and the future of the show is, as of now, unclear. This is also where I'll share that I did not fully love the potential finale. To me it felt disingenuous to the the core of what the show felt like.

But wouldn't you know it that is exactly what someone like Ted would teach me, the viewer at home: that I don't have to agree with where the show ended as long as I enjoyed myself along the way and, in that strange and beautiful way, find myself a better person throughout that journey.

We hear it all the time in different forms and cliched sayings; that the little moments ended up being the ones that mattered, that relationships are more important and meaningful than a win, and that along the way perhaps the best we can do is find ourselves enjoying the journey and helping out a bit as we go. In that sense I felt a lot of connection to the concept of a person like Ted Lasso. And while my wife would not be thrilled if I shaved down to a mustache, I know there are a lot of other ways I can take what I learned from Ted and continue to grow as a person.

And if that all doesn't work out. Be a goldfish.