Staff Writer- Emily Sustaita
Welcome back, Gusties! After almost an entire month, we are all finally back on campus, fresh and energized after our long winter break. We have started new classes, created some New Year’s resolutions, and are approaching our daily life from an overall better footing. However, as we delve back into the groove of our routine, we may find ourselves running into a new or old set of challenges: for some, it may be getting more serious about what we want to do in the future; for others, it may be adjusting to the rigour of new classes; or, it may be feeling lonely in a sea of people. These challenges, topped with endless deadlines, extracurricular activities, and other duties, can make life feel rough, to the point that we lose sight of our end goal.
In moments like these, there is a comforting animated film I turn to for optimism and strength: Kiki’s Delivery Service. The Studio Ghibli film was released back in 1989, and was directed by the one and only Hayao Miyazaki. It is about a young witch named Kiki who, after turning 13, leaves her home in order to complete a year-long trip away from home; the goal being to foster independence and master a unique speciality. When she arrives in Koriko, a seaside town, she uses flying—the only skill she knows—to open up a delivery service. It is through this trip that Kiki faces the challenges of life, and is pushed to consider what her bigger purpose is—a phase that all of us hit during our lives.
There are five important lessons that this golden film teaches us.
Firstly, it takes time to discover and hone what we are truly “good” at. It isn’t a process that can be magically completed in the blink of an eye. Take a look at Kiki’s situation: at the beginning of the film, she had zero idea as to what her “special” skill was in life. It was only through trial and error-–deciding to make a delivery business out of the blue, and running into obstacles along the way—that she was able to construct a better understanding of her strengths in life. So, as you ponder over what your major or future career will be, or what your “special” skill is, keep in mind that this is a process that is always evolving. It’s okay if you don’t know the answer; it’s okay if you change the answer. You are not bound to a contract and should feel free to take the time to explore your interests.
Secondly, there will be days when personal skills that once came naturally to us can be “forgotten” the next day. That is, we can find we are really good at something one day, and then the next day, not be able to do it like we used to. And why might this happen, you ask? Well, in the case of Kiki, she was unable to fly for a period of time because she got so wrapped up in the act of running her delivery business that she never considered why she was even doing it; that is, what was her purpose? It was through stepping back from her work and enjoying the world around her that allowed her to eventually think about that. So, whenever you can’t do something like you used to, don’t stress-–let yourself step back, live life, and reflect.
Thirdly, when we pursue our passion or a certain line of work, it is important to have a purpose in mind—that is, why are we doing this? It doesn’t have to be an elaborate reason, but simply knowing why you are doing something can help during those hard days, when you feel like quitting or feel all sluggish. In Kiki’s case, taking the time to go to Ursula’s cabin, relax, and clear her mind to consider this important question slowly helped her recover her flying skills.
Fourthly, life can be tough at times—and that’s okay. When Kiki began her delivery service—although there were good days—she ran into many boring days and not very amiable customers. At first, it was tough for Kiki to take all of this in emotionally, but slowly but surely, she began to grow stronger and view things differently. It’s important that when these kinds of rough days come, we stand tall and do not take things too personally. Our identity is not attached to what solely happens in work and school, and thus very important to remember that you are your own person outside of that.
Lastly, the final lesson this film teaches us is that you are not alone in life. It’s easy to feel so—but you aren’t. Take a look at Kiki: she moved to a city all by herself, not knowing anyone around her. At first, she felt lonely and isolated from her peers. However, with time, she began to see that there were people around her who clearly cared about her—people such as Osono, Ursula, and Tombo. Even better, she began to see that certain people in the movie—such as the three city girls in the beginning—weren’t as bad as she made them out to be. In other words, the point I’m trying to make is that there are people out there who care about you; the key thing is that you go out of your way to seek them and develop your relationship with them.
So, as you can see, Kiki’s Delivery Service is an animated film that is brimming with meaningful lessons relevant to our daily lives. It comes to show how even a young witch girl can experience the sort of complicated feelings that we feel. I hope that as you progress through your spring semester, one of these lessons can stick to your heart and help you get through!