Life Lessons from ‘Kimmy Schmidt’

Navigating our often raunch-ridden pop culture waters isn’t easy. So here’s a slam-dunk pick for you: “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.” Created by Tina Fey and Robert Carlock (who brought us “30 Rock”), the half-hour comedy series debuted last year on Netflix, starring “The Office’s” Ellie Kemper as Kimmy Schmidt.

The premise is that Kimmy was held captive in an underground bunker with three other women for 15 years; they were told the world had ended. Finally rescued, she is living in New York City. It’s fish-out-of-water comedy at its finest. Now, as Season 2 arrives, we offer a reminder as to why the ever-positive “Kimmy,” who sees the world through happy, innocent eyes, has become such a beloved character.

Here are just some of the many wise worldviews you’ll pick up from watching Kimmy maneuver through her new reality.

Never Give Up
Kimmy has every reason to give up. She was held in a bunker by a crazy man (played by Jon Hamm) who told Kimmy and the other “mole women” the world had ended. They were at his beck and call, and we don’t even know all the horrific things she had to go through. But Kimmy stays strong, positive and unbreakable.

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You Can Stand Anything for 10 Seconds
This is the life motto Kimmy shares with any friends who are having a bad day. It stems from her time in the bunker when she and her “sisters” would have to turn a mysterious crank on the wall. She tells it to a kid who’s miserable at his own birthday party. She tells it to her rich Manhattan wife boss named Jacqueline Voorhees (Jane Krakowski) whose marriage is falling apart. It works every time.

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Changing Your Outside Isn’t Going to Fix Inside
In the first season of “Kimmy Schmidt” there are several scenes featuring Kimmy and her boss going to the dermatologist for various things ranging from a “toe lift” to injections to get rid of lines and even at one point — Kimmy wants a new face so no one will recognize her as being a “mole woman.” What Kimmy learns and tries to impart to Jacqueline is that any of the work done is not going to be the answer for a better life.

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Candy for Dinner
Kimmy’s eating and drinking habits are true to someone who has just discovered the joys of fine food. Namely, candy. Kimmy walks into a New York candy store and starts devouring a bag of treats. “Dinner!” she declares.

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Appreciate the Small Things
One of the best things about Kimmy in Season 1 was her delight at discovering those things we all take for granted — like turning on the automatic water faucet in a public bathroom. Woo!

Just Smile
Kimmy’s smile is yuuuuge. And she wears it often, imparting this bit of advice to anyone feeling down: “Smile until you feel better. I call it Kimmy-ing!”

Spoiler Alert!
There’s a memorable Kimmy-ism coming up midway through the second season. According to The Verge, in one scene Kimmy explains herself by saying: “I’m like a biscotti. People act like I’m this sweet cookie, but I’m really this super hard thing that nobody knows… what I am, or why I am.” Classic Kimmy.