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Millie Bobby Browns Harsh Reminder From "Stranger Things" What Pushes You Forward Can Hold You Back
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Millie Bobby Browns Harsh Reminder From "Stranger Things" What Pushes You Forward Can Hold You Back

At only 19 years old, Millie Bobby Brown, has been in the entertainment business for nearly a decade. At just 11 years old, the Enola Holmes actress landed the career-defining role of "Eleven" on the hit Netflix Original show, Stranger Things. The cult Sci-Fi/Horror series hosted a slew of baby-faced actors, that over the course of 7 years grew up on the show–voice cracks and all–but no one quite broke out like, Millie Bobby Brown. Going into their 5th and final season (and their 8th year of filming), the cast of Stranger Things may not be ready to say goodbye, but with her successful skincare line Florence by Mills and her production company PCMA, Millie Bobby Brown, definitely is.Growing Up on Stranger Things: A Time and PlaceRight out the gate, audiences were captivated with Millie Bobby Brown's career-defining performance as science-experiment-turned-telekentic-heroine, "Eleven"!When Stranger Things premiered in 2016, fans and critics alike raved about the young Brown's serious acting chops. A video of a petit Millie Bobby Brown in the hair and makeup chair, even went viral! The 11 year old actress was applauded for her commitment to the role, when she posted a video of shaving her head for the full Stranger Things transformation. Over the course of 5 long seasons, Millie Bobby Brown has seen a lot of "firsts" against the backdrop of Hawkins, Indiana (the fictitious town in which Stranger Things is set). On set, Brown had her first real kiss with co-star Finn Wolfhard, 20. The show also gave Brown the right material to score her first Emmy nomination in 2016 (and then her second again, in 2017). Now at 19 years old, Millie Bobby Brown is ready to step out into the real world on her own, and experience a whole new set of firsts. One of which includes her first walk...down the aisle!?Millie Bobby Brown's Engagement Announcement Caused Waves, Why She's Choosing To Stay Silent/Ignore The HatersIn April, 2023 Millie Bobby Brown took to instagram to break some exciting news the her 63.3 M followers. Brown posted a black and white photo of her and new-fiancee Jacob Hurley Bongiovi captioning her post: "I've loved you for three summers now, honey, I want 'em all". However, it's no surprise that at only 19, the news of Brown's engagement was met with backlash. Brown's controversial engagement to Jacob "Jake" Hurley Bongiovi (yes, Jon Bon Jovi's son) is a topic she chooses to sidestep these days. In an exclusive interview with GLAMOUR, Brown disclosed that she's lived her whole life under the microscope of other's opinions and that she's "closing the gate" on those who do not know her, who she did not "invite in."Brown keeps her circle small and her, reticence, its understandable. At a young age, with a brain she refers to as "still developing," the young actress was pelted with harsh criticism–the dark side of being met with critical acclaim at the same age. Millie Bobby Brown Was Criticized For Being "An Idiot"...In Reality? She Was Just A Kid.@jakebongiovi/InstagramVideos of Millie Bobby Brown allegedly cutting off her co-stars in late-night interviews for Stranger Things press surfaced on the internet, painting her as a kind of villainous mean girl who was "trying to steal the thunder" and needed all the attention for herself. During Stranger Things press tours, Brown recalls adults name-calling her “an idiot,” “stupid” and “a brat.”“It’s hard to hear that at 13,” Brown reflects, “You’re like, ‘I don’t want to ever talk again. I don’t want to be the loud person…In interviews I couldn’t help but think of all the comments. So I just remembered to stay silent and speak when I was spoken to, even though I was dying to join in. I just felt it wasn’t my turn.”“We’re kids — we talk over each other,” Brown said. “I was just penalized for over-talking and oversharing and being too loud.”Millie Bobby BrownBrown looks back on this criticism as misguided. To her, it was a result of being young and excited to be invited! The actress knows she's always been "loud." It's a part of her personality that for a while she hated about herself, but with the gentle guidance of loving fianceé Buongiovi, she's learning to love again.“I was like, ‘Why do you love me?’” says Brown. “And then [Jake] listed all these things that I hated about myself. I was like, ‘You see good in those things?’ And he was like, ‘Of course I do.’Millie Bobby Brown, GLAMOURFrom Child Actor To Businesswoman, Millie Bobby Brown Wants To "Try Everything"Despite how tricky it can be to navigate the industry as a teenage girl, for all that flack, Millie Bobby Brown has had opportunities and isn't afraid to use them! "I don’t need to do a whole big thing and change the world. I don’t need that. But if I can do the small things that help people—their heart, their mind, their spirit—then that’s what I’ll do".Millie Bobby Brown, 2023Sure, her early success gave her a leg up (a big leg up), but there are plenty of actors who weren't able to make the leap from child star to UNICEF Ambassador to businesswoman?! Brown just isn't one of them.In 2018, at just 14, Millie Bobby Brown took the stage at the United Nations, becoming the youngest UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in history. Her mission? To ensure girls worldwide have better access to menstrual care and education. Today, Millie stands by this same mission and firmly believes that items as basic as Advil and tampons should be considered rights, not privileges.With her wildly successful vegan skincare company, Florence By Mills, Millie Bobby Brown has proven she is more than just a kid who got a lucky break. She's a passionate young woman eager to make her mark as an entrepreneur. If Kylie Jenner can do it, so can she! Capitalize away, baby!Learning When To Let Go Of The Past, To Invite The Present (and Future) In!Between her business ventures, her transition into her adult acting career, and her 19 pet animals (Bobby Brown is also a hobbyist animal rescuer?!?), it's clear that the time in her life for Stranger Things may be over, and that's ok."Stranger Things takes up a lot of time to film and it’s preventing me from creating stories that I’m passionate about. So I’m ready to say, ‘Thank you, and goodbye.’"Brown relatably refers to her un-relatable time on the hit Netflix show like graduating from high school: “When you’re ready, you’re like, ‘All right, let’s do this. Let’s tackle this last senior year. Let’s get out of here,” Millie Bobby Brown thoughtfully remarks.Millie Bobby Brown may not be exactly like the rest of us, but her carpe diem outlook on life reminds us a valuable lesson, that all we really have is today–and if we spend today looking back, we miss all the opportunities right in front of us.No matter how confident you are, we all struggle with self-doubt. The future can be an anxiety-inducing, scary unknown! In fact, at the very core, "anxiety" is fear of the future. Sometimes we can turn our anxiety into excitement, sometimes all that energy can propel us forward, and it can be a great thing! What's important, is that it doesn't hold us back.As too-loud-for-her-age and wise-beyond-her-years (don't the two always go hand in hand) Millie Bobby Brown points out, "It’s like, why wait? Let’s go for it.” There is no time like the present.You can order Millie Bobby Brown's debut book, "Nineteen Steps: A Novel", on Amazon now.

Stranger Things Addresses Depression and Mental Health in the Most Crucial Way
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Stranger Things Addresses Depression and Mental Health in the Most Crucial Way

Warning: Some may find the following topics triggering. Since it premiered on Netflix back in 2016, Stranger Things has captivated audiences with its compelling mix of sci-fi/horror and good ol' 80s nostalgia. The mysterious world of the Upside Down came with terrifying monsters the characters had to defeat, but this season's villain, Vecna, is the most horrific yet, and not for the reasons one might think. RELATED: Stranger Things: There’s a Reason You Love Eddie Munson – And It Isn’t That Guitar SoloSure, Vecna is powerful, with abilities that surpass even Eleven's. But what makes him so scary is that he is the personification of depression, trauma, and suicidality. Through Vecna's targets — Chrissy, Fred, Patrick, and especially Max — Stranger Things Season 4 presents the most heart-wrenching yet cathartic allegory for depression and suicide. How Stranger Things Shines a Light on Trauma The most potent allegory comes with Max Mayfield's main storyline. She's dealing with immense depression over the death of her stepbrother Billy, who was killed last season by the Mind Flayer. Between these two seasons, the guilt seems to have eaten away at her, because the very first episode presents a Max who is a shell of herself. Her wit and personality have been replaced with an aura of sadness. She blames herself for her brother's demise, and consequently, suffers from survivor's guilt, believing she could have done more to save him. Her nightmares and flashbacks are signs of PTSD. Her witty personality is dampened and she's isolating herself from her closest friends. She's seeing the school counselor but has trouble opening up to her. RELATED: What Wes Anderson’s ‘The Royal Tenenbaums’ Taught Us About Finding Humor in Trauma and DysfunctionThese are all symptoms of depression, and as if this illness wasn't difficult enough to endure, Vecna steps in to make it even worse. It is revealed that he is the one inflicting the nightmares and flashbacks, amplifying the immense feeling of guilt, feeding into her deep sorrow. It's clear Max is suffering terribly, especially as signs of suicidal ideation begin to make themselves very apparent.Vecna Is the Physical Form of Depression After Vecna murders Chrissy and the others, he continues to torment Max with horrifying visions, feeding her false belief that she's to blame for Billy's death and adding to her psychological instability. Eventually, in Episode 4, "Dear Billy," Max realizes Vecna is coming for her next, which prompts her to write letters to her loved ones. Presumably, these are goodbye letters, and it's common for such letters to be left behind by victims of suicide. Shortly after this scene, she goes with Lucas, Steve, and Dustin to the cemetery where Billy is buried. The three friends know something is up, so Lucas tries to stop Max before she goes to her step brother's grave. "Just talk to me. To your friends," Lucas pleads with her. "We're right here. I'm right here." RELATED: Stranger Things Is Breaking One Dangerous (And Deadly) Hollywood PatternMax's expression displays a mixture of contemplation and emotional numbness before she turns from Lucas and towards Billy's grave. This is yet another parallel to real-life depression. In many cases, such as with Max, the sufferer may feel that they are "bad" and unworthy of help, causing them to push away their support systems.Away from her friends, she begins to read the heartfelt and heart-wrenching letter to her step-brother's headstone. And once she finishes reading the letter, Vecna strikes. The villain pulls her into the Upside Down while her physical body remains in the cemetery, eyes rolled back in a trance-like state. Luckily, Steve, Dustin, and Lucas rush to her aid, playing Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill" through a walkman while they desperately scream for her to come back. But sufferers of depression can't just "snap out of it," just as Max couldn't snap out of the trance Vecna put her in.RELATED: How Dan Levy Fought through Anxiety to Change The World – One Love Story at a TimeWhile this is happening in the cemetery, Vecna has Max trapped in the Upside Down. She has visions of a bloodied Billy, who tells her she wanted him to die, and reminds her of how she sometimes wishes she could've followed him into death. "That is why I am here, Max," the vision of Billy says. "To end your suffering once and for all." That's really all sufferers of depression want — for their suffering to end. And sometimes, it's difficult to see any other way out.Max Teaches Us How Depression Can Lead to IsolationTrapped in the dark, bleak, grotesque world of the Upside Down, it seems there isn't any other way out for Max, either. Vecna is about to kill her — her depression is about to kill her. Here is where the iconic "Running Up That Hill" scene begins. Steve, Lucas, and Dustin run to her aid, playing the Kate Bush song through a walkman in hopes of bringing Max back. Just as music can be a very useful coping mechanism in real life, music serves as a temporary escape for Max as well. The song cuts through the darkness, and in the distance, Max can see her friends crowded around her body, pleading for her to come back. RELATED: Is Social Isolation Affecting Your Mental Health? There’s a Term For ThatIn her darkest, most desperate hour, Max can see how much her friends love her. Flashbacks of her happiest memories play in her mind as the music swells and a semblance of hope seems to return to her. This gives her the strength to break away from Vecna and run to her friends, dodging everything the Upside Down throws at her in an attempt to thwart her escape. She returns to her body in the Hawkins cemetery, jolts awake, and falls down to the ground, her friends there to catch her and comfort her. Once again, this scene allegorizes the experience of depression and suicidal ideation, this time emphasizing how powerful a steadfast support system can be. When Max is at her lowest, her friends stick by her. She's able to see and realize how much she's wanted and remembers happy moments. And though it is anything but easy, she finally has the strength to run to the people who love her and accept their help.The Stranger Things Kids Show Us The Need For Friendship in the Darkest of TimesStranger Things Season 4 Max and LucasThough Max appears a little less downtrodden throughout the rest of the season, she's nowhere near in the clear. Just as with any mental illness in the real world, coming back from a major depressive episode and narrowly escaping a suicide attempt is only the beginning of the recovery process. Max continues to wear the walkman, constantly listening to "Running Up That Hill," and while music can be a good distraction and grounding tool, it only works temporarily for people who are suffering mentally. This is evident in the way that Max can avoid Vecna with music, yet cannot completely rid herself of him.RELATED: 11 Stranger Things Quotes to Turn Your Life Upside DownMax sticks close to her friends for the rest of the season, and her friends stick close to her. There are scenes where her friends keep checking in on her and get a little frightened when she's out of their sight for even a minute, afraid Vecna could strike again at any moment. This is similar to how, when a person is experiencing a mental health crisis, their loved ones may remain physically close to them should any self-harm thoughts resurface.Stranger Things Season 4's underlying theme of mental health struggles is powerful, especially for sufferers of depression and suicidal ideation. When done correctly, it can be cathartic for someone to see their experience reflected to them on screen. Stranger Things lives up to this standard, as it conveyed the experience of depression through Max and Vecna in an artistic yet relatable and accurate way, including the symptoms one might feel and the enormous difficulty that is recovery. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, or text TALK to 741-741 to reach the Crisis Text Line.KEEP READING: Stranger Things’ Millie Bobby Brown Has Powerful Words Against Sexualizing Her – And Hollywood Needs to Listen

Stranger Things Is Breaking One Dangerous (And Deadly) Hollywood Pattern
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Stranger Things Is Breaking One Dangerous (And Deadly) Hollywood Pattern

The Netflix Original series Stranger Things was released initially in 2016. It immediately became one of the most talked-about series... well, ever. One of the main concepts of the show that allowed it to differ from the plethora of other TV series was the fact that half the cast were kids. While Winona Ryder brought legitimacy to the show through her extensive acting career, it was the young children and their performances that caught the viewers' attention.RELATED: 11 Stranger Things Quotes to Turn Your Life Upside DownChild acting already carries the weight of a terrible reputation in Hollywood, so how have Matt and Ross Duffer, creators of Stranger Things managed to create a space where children felt safe and comfortable to grow up on set?How Have The Cast of Stranger Things Handled Life Under a Spotlight?According to sources, the B-tier cast, which is made up of the child stars, cash in at around $250,000 per episode. That's a lot of money for anyone, let alone children who most likely haven’t learned the true value of money yet. And then there's the fame dilemma.So, how are this new generation of child actors handling their immense stardom? According to an interview they did in Teen Vogue, they're doing quite well. “The show is so well-received, and we’re just very grateful,” Millie Bobby Brown said, “We really couldn’t have done this without Netflix and the Duffers.”RELATED: Stranger Things’ Millie Bobby Brown Has Powerful Words Against Sexualizing Her – And Hollywood Needs to ListenWhen asked about how they felt about their fame, the theme really was appreciation. “It’s a great feeling to know that so many people appreciate your work,” Gaten Matarazzo stated, “It makes me feel good that people will go out of their way to follow me and message me.”It was Finn Wolfhard who truly acknowledged the craziness of it all. Very candidly, he said, “For me it’s sort of surreal… My Twitter followers went up and my Instagram followers went up, and I’m getting recognized on the street, which is also very weird for me.”RELATED: Netflix’s 5 Most Uplifting and Inspirational Movies to Watch Right NowDespite all the weirdness they have to navigate that comes with the territory of growing up on-screen, these kids are still down to earth. As famous as they were as child actors, and now as adults, we don’t hear any negativity or controversy coming from them -- at least, not yet.Why Does Child Acting Have A Bad Reputation In Hollywood?Child acting has a horrible reputation in Hollywood. We’ve seen the likes of Lindsay Lohan, Amanda Bynes, Demi Lovato, and so many more child stars share their stories about what life under the spotlight at such a young age did to their mental health.Demi Lovato is one of the most notable individuals to come out against Disney Channel and their handling of their child actors. Lovato has been open about her drug addiction which started during her time at Disney in her early teens and now continues into adulthood.RELATED: What Secret Caused Demi Lovato’s Near-Fatal Relapse?She also speaks very openly about her eating disorder and how it was encouraged by her management and the studios. During the infamous #MeToo movement, Lovato shared her story about being sexually assaulted in the late 2000s while she was still working with Disney Channel. Lovato broke her six-year sobriety and overdosed in 2018, nearly ending her life. That's when she took the trauma in her life and channeled it into healing.This is not the only instance of Hollywood failing child actors, of course. There are too many stories like this: young stars falling into a dark world of drugs, alcohol, and more. So how are the children of Stranger Things breaking this pattern, what makes their experience so different?How Have The Stranger Things Kids Remained Grounded?The bonds we create and share in life heavily impact who we are. For the children of Stranger Things, their ability to create a tight-knit group and stay friends throughout the years have allowed them to lean on each other in navigating their unique experiences. “We all trust each other very much,” Wolfhard said in their Teen Vogue interview, “We’re all part of a big family now […]. We also have the Duffers and Natalia, and we have Joe.”This sentiment was shared among the cast. Noah Schnapp, who plays Will on the show, said, “When they were trying to cast us, they looked for people who had the best chemistry together. It really makes sense because if we didn’t like each other; the show wouldn’t be what it would be.” Schnapp went on to attribute their close friendship to all the time they spent together filming, attending on-set school, as well as their infamous group chat.RELATED: Why We Need To Talk About Demi Lovato’s Powerful Revelations In Her DocuseriesThe bonds made on set extend to the show creators as well. “The Duffer Brothers formed a relationship with us so we could talk to them about what we thought was good,” Millie Bobby said. Allowing the children to express themselves freely and participate in the show in a multitude of ways contributed to their feelings of security and established good communication, care, and love.Children need support, which is something the Duffer brothers seem to take seriously, not only by allowing the children themselves to form real bonds and life-long friends, but by treating them with respect and dignity. This should be the standard that Hollywood strives for moving forward. Rather than trying to ban children from pursuing an acting career, let’s continue to create a safe, healthy environment where they can grow, learn and follow their passion. KEEP READING:Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen: Why the Child Stars Who Became Business Icons Disappeared

11 Stranger Things Quotes to Turn Your Life Upside Down
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11 Stranger Things Quotes to Turn Your Life Upside Down

Stranger Things became a cultural phenomenon virtually from the moment the sci-fi horror series premiered on Netflix in 2016. Since then, its grip on audiences has only grown stronger, with each season introducing more lovable characters, spine-chilling monsters, and memorable Stranger Things quotes.RELATED: 12 Obi-Wan Kenobi Quotes to Make You More Powerful Than You Can Possibly ImagineSome, like "Friends don't lie," have become memes -- even merchandise. But others go a little deeper, providing words to live by, beyond the city limits of Hawkins, Indiana. Here are 11 of the best.Mornings are for coffee and contemplation.David Harbour as Jim Hopper in Stranger Things Season 1Being the chief of police in a small town like fictional Hawkins, Indiana, was pretty uneventful, at least until everything there turned upside down. Before that, Jim Hopper had a relatively care-free job, which, unfortunately, allowed him to indulge his vices (and we don't mean caffeine).Hopper used the quote in the series premiere to keep his secretary, Flo, from bothering him when he arrived at work. Ulterior motives aside, however, there's something to be said for this philosophy. It's a reminder to take a breather -- with or without coffee -- to think about the workday ahead, or nothing at all. We all need that moment to collect our thoughts, unbothered by pressing matters.You shouldn’t like things because people tell you you’re supposed to.Jonathan Byers and Will Byers in Stranger Things Season 1Steve Harrington may get the funny lines, but Jonathan Byers is Stranger Things' low-key keeper of wisdom. Smart, kind and protective of his younger brother Will, Jonathan provides some solid advice throughout the series, including this quote, from Season 1, Episode 2.RELATED: 11 Motivational Doctor Strange Quotes to Inspire Every Marvel FanIn this instance, Jonathan talks about his brother's futile attempts to connect with their father by pretending to enjoy baseball. However, the underlying, and more universal lesson is not change who you are simply to please someone else.I don't care if anyone believes me.Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers in Stranger Things Season 1Played by Winona Ryder, Joyce Byers is a relative rarity in the sci-fi horror genre: an adult who is convinced things are not what they seem. (That's typically the role of the kids.) When virtually everyone else believed her son, Will Byers, is dead in Stranger Things Season 1, Joyce remained steadfast. She insisted her son Will's body wasn't his (she was right), and even strung Christmas lights in her home to communicate with him.This Stranger Things quote emphasizes that, sometimes, you have to stand firm in a heartfelt belief, even when everyone else thinks you're wrong.You just try things on. Until you find something that feels like you.Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield and Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven in Stranger Things Season 3Maxine "Max" Mayfield arrived in Hawkins, Indiana, in Stranger Things Season 2 as the mysterious, and initially distrustful, "new girl." However, she soon became a member of the Party, and a mentor to Eleven, at least on the subjects of boys and fashion.RELATED: How Marvel’s Most Powerful Captain America Quotes Can Help You Save the WorldEleven is overwhelmed by her first shopping trip to the Starcourt Mall, in Season 3, which leads Max to offer invaluable guidance that reaches beyond 1980s clothing. Finding something that "feels like you" can be applied to everything from music to a field of study to a career choice. Sometimes you have to try things on first.People don’t spend their lives trying to look at what’s behind the curtain.Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler, Brett Gelman as Murray Bauman and Charlie Heaton as Jonathan Byers in Stranger ThingsFull quote: “People don’t spend their lives trying to look at what’s behind the curtain. They like the curtain. It provides them stability, comfort and definition.” - Murray BaumanIt's an understatement to describe Murray Bauman as "eccentric." However, the investigative journalist turned conspiracy theorist is an important source of inspiration in seasons 2-4 of the Netflix series. And he's no slouch when it comes to memorable Stranger Things quotes.Look past the paranoia in Murray's comment, and you'll find a reminder that people tend to find contentment in the familiar. But little is accomplished when we remain in that safe place, unwilling to pull back that curtain.Nothing is gonna go back to the way that it was. But it’ll get better.David Harbour as Jim Hopper in Stranger Things Season 2Full quote: “Nothing is gonna go back to the way that it was. Not really. But it’ll get better. In time.” - Jim HopperJim Hopper knows more about loss than perhaps anybody in Stranger Things. Years before the events of Season 1, he lost his daughter to cancer, which led him to return to Hawkins, Indiana, and retreat into the bottle. RELATED: Marvel’s Most Inspirational Spider-Man Quotes that Give Power to Your ResponsibilityTherefore, there's weight to the words he gave Joyce Byers in Season 2 as she attempted to grapple with the trauma experienced by her son, Will. Hopper didn't sugarcoat what lay ahead for the Byers family, though. Instead, he painted a realistic portrait of living with grief.Friends don't lie.Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven and Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair in Stranger Things Season 1One of the earliest lessons learned by Eleven in Season 1, "Friends don't lie" became a refrain throughout Stranger Things. It even made an appearance in the Season 4 premiere, underscoring that Eleven (also known as Jane Ives and Jane Hopper) still lives by those three words.It's simplistic, sure. However, it was perfect for the socially deprived girl introduced as the series began. The Stranger Things quote also serves as a good touchstone for navigating relationships -- even for those of us who weren't raised in a laboratory.This is not yours to fix alone. You’re not alone.Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers in Stranger Things Season 1Full quote: “This is not yours to fix alone. You act like you’re all alone out there in the world, but you’re not. You’re not alone.” - Joyce ByersWhen Joyce Byers discovers in Stranger Things Season 1 that Jonathan placed himself and Nancy Wheeler in danger while trying to save Will, she goes ballistic. But while yelling at her eldest son, she imparts wisdom that everyone should take to heart: No matter how bad, and hopeless, the situation may seem, we're not in this alone. I asked if you wanted to be my friend. It was the best thing I’ve ever done.Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler and Noah Schnapp as Will Byers in Stranger Things Season 2Full quote: "Do you remember the first day that we met? It was... it was the first day of kindergarten. I knew nobody. I had no friends... and I just felt so alone and so scared but I saw you on the swings and you were alone too. You were just swinging by yourself and I just walked up to you and I asked... I asked if you wanted to be my friend. And you said yes. You said yes. It was the best thing I've ever done." - Mike WheelerThe friendship between Mike Wheeler and Will Byers forms the foundation of Stranger Things, more so than any mystery or monster from the Upside Down. Even when their relationship becomes strained, because of Will's trauma or Mike's relationship with Eleven, the bond remains.RELATED: 5 Powerful Batman Quotes to Inspire Light in Your Dark NightsThat's perhaps never more apparent than in Season 2, Episode 8, when Joyce, Jonathan and Mike try to free Will from the grip of the Mind Flayer, by recalling memories. Mike chooses the day they met. It's an emotional moment that emphasizes not only the importance of friendship, but also of the seemingly random decisions we make.Do you wanna be normal? Do you wanna be just like everyone else?Charlie Heaton as Jonathan Byers in Stranger Things Season 2Full quote: "Do you wanna be normal? Do you wanna be just like everyone else? Being a freak is the best, all right? I’m a freak." - Jonathan ByersJonathan Byers may not be the ideal older sibling, but he's the kind many people wished they had. Fiercely protective of his younger brother, Jonathan extends that devotion to the role of sounding board. When Will bristled at how he was treated differently after his return from the Upside Down -- "It just makes me feel like more of a freak." -- Jonathan insisted that he's not a freak. When Will protested, Jonathan conceded that he is a freak. And there's nothing wrong with that.It's reverse psychology, of course. But it's also acknowledgement that it's boring to be just like everyone else.When life hurts you, because it will, remember the hurt.David Harbour as Jim Hopper in Stranger Things Season 3Full quote: “Make mistakes, learn from them and when life hurts you, because it will, remember the hurt. The hurt is good. It means you’re out of that cave.” - Jim HopperBe suspicious of anyone who doesn't get a little choked up over Chief Hopper's letter to his adopted daughter, Eleven, in Stranger Things Season 3. Intended to be a heart-to-heart speech fueled by concerns about Eleven's budding relationship with Mike Wheeler, it instead serves as a heartbreaking farewell following Hopper's apparent death.The letter addresses Hopper's fears about the changing nature of his relationship with Eleven as she grows older. But then he pivots to acceptance, and offers this advice, which can be embraced by everyone, no matter their age (or psychokinetic ability).KEEP READING: Stranger Things’ Millie Bobby Brown Has Powerful Words Against Sexualizing Her – And Hollywood Needs to Listen