Okay so I was rewatching Gossip Girl for like the millionth time last night, and it hit me.

We're all out here struggling with our dating lives when we have YEARS of TV character wisdom just sitting there.

Think about it. These fictional people have dealt with every dating disaster imaginable. And somehow, they always figure it out. (Well, mostly.)

So I started thinking... what would our favorite TV characters actually tell us about our messy love lives?

Let me break it down.

When He Takes Forever to Text Back: The Olivia Pope Method

You know that panic when you see "typing..." and then... nothing?

Yeah.

Olivia Pope would literally laugh at us. This woman handles international crises before breakfast. She'd tell you to put your phone down, handle your business, and let him catch up.

Her advice? "You're not waiting for him. You're living your life, and he can join when he's ready."

Honestly? She's right.

The "What Are We?" Talk: Leslie Knope Energy Required

Ugh, this conversation.

We've all been there. Three months of hanging out, and you still don't know if you're dating or just... existing in the same space sometimes.

Leslie Knope would march right up to him with a color-coded presentation about relationship definitions.

And you know what? We should all have that confidence.

She'd say: "If you want clarity, ask for it. Your time is valuable, and you deserve to know where you stand."

No games. No hints. Just direct communication.

Revolutionary, right?

When Your Friends Hate Your Boyfriend: The Monica Geller Approach

Real talk - your friends see things you don't.

Monica would gather everyone for an intervention. With snacks, obviously. She'd make a pros and cons list, and she wouldn't sugarcoat it.

But here's the thing she'd also say: "Listen to your friends, but trust your gut. They love you, but only you know what you need."

It's about finding that balance between trusting your inner circle and trusting yourself.

Sometimes both can be true at once.

The Ex Who Won't Stop Texting: Channel Your Inner Blair Waldorf

Blair would block him so fast.

No explanation. No final conversation. Just... gone.

She'd remind you that queens don't entertain jesters. (Yes, she'd actually say that.)

Her method? "You already gave him his chance. He doesn't get unlimited access to your energy."

And she'd be absolutely right.

Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is just... not respond.

Dating App Burnout: The Schmidt Strategy

Schmidt from New Girl would tell you to delete them all.

Take a break. Focus on yourself. Hit the gym. Buy some nice candles. Whatever.

He'd say: "You can't find quality when you're exhausted from quantity."

And honestly? When was the last time you took a real break from swiping?

Sometimes the best dating app strategy is not using them for a while.

Wild concept, I know.

When You're Overthinking Everything: Phoebe Buffay Wisdom

Phoebe would literally tell you to chill.

She'd say something random like, "The universe has a plan, and your anxiety isn't helping it along."

And somehow... that would make sense?

Her approach: "If it's meant to happen, it will. Stop trying to control every little thing."

Which is annoying advice because it's actually true.

Sometimes you just need to let things unfold.

The "He's Just Not That Into You" Situation: Fleabag Gets It

Fleabag would look directly at the camera and say: "Yeah, you already know what this is."

She wouldn't let you make excuses for him.

No "but he's busy" or "he's going through something" or "the timing is just off."

She'd be brutally honest: "If he wanted to, he would. And you deserve someone who wants to."

Ouch.

But also... yeah.

When You're Comparing Yourself to His Ex: The Insecure Approach

Issa Dee would remind you that comparison is literally the enemy of happiness.

She'd say: "You're not supposed to be his ex. You're supposed to be you."

And then she'd probably make you watch something funny to get out of your head.

Because spiraling never helped anyone.

His ex is his past. You're his present. That's literally all that matters.

The "Should I Text First?" Dilemma: Lorelai Gilmore's Take

Lorelai would roll her eyes at this whole thing.

She'd say: "If you want to talk to him, talk to him. What are we, in middle school?"

Her philosophy? Life's too short for games.

Just send the text. If he's weird about it, he's not your person anyway.

Simple.

When You're Settling: The Cristina Yang Reality Check

Cristina would literally shake you.

She'd say: "You're settling because you're scared of being alone. But being alone is better than being with the wrong person."

Harsh? Yes.

Necessary? Also yes.

She'd remind you that you're a complete person on your own. A relationship should add to your life, not complete it.

And if you're dealing with a bit of a quarter life identity crisis right now, that message hits different.

The Long-Distance Struggle: Jim and Pam Energy

Okay but Jim and Pam literally made long-distance work.

Their advice? Communication is everything. And I mean EVERYTHING.

You can't expect someone to read your mind through a phone screen.

Say what you need. Ask for what you want. Be honest about your feelings.

It's not romantic, but it works.

When You're Ready to Give Up on Dating: The Ted Lasso Perspective

Ted would give you the most annoyingly optimistic pep talk.

He'd say something like: "You know what the happiest animal on earth is? It's a goldfish. You know why? Got a 10-second memory."

Translation: Don't let past disappointments ruin future possibilities.

Every new person is a fresh start. Every date is a new opportunity.

Cheesy? Absolutely.

True? Unfortunately, yes.

The "Is This Moving Too Fast?" Panic: The Mindy Project Method

Mindy Lahiri would tell you there's no such thing as a perfect timeline.

Some people get engaged after three months and live happily ever after. Others date for years and it doesn't work out.

Her take? "Stop comparing your relationship to everyone else's. Does it feel right to YOU?"

That's literally the only question that matters.

Not what your friends think. Not what society says. Not what you see on Instagram.

Just you and how you feel.

When You Need to Have a Difficult Conversation: The Jane Villanueva Way

Jane from Jane the Virgin would write out exactly what she needs to say.

She'd practice it. Refine it. Make sure she's being fair but honest.

Because difficult conversations don't have to be fights.

Her method: "Say what you mean, mean what you say, but don't say it mean."

It's possible to be direct AND kind.

Who knew?

The Reality Check We All Need

Here's the thing about taking dating advice from TV characters...

They're fictional. Their problems get resolved in 22-60 minutes. Their writers literally give them the perfect words.

But.

The core lessons? Those are real.

Trust yourself. Communicate clearly. Know your worth. Don't settle. Be honest about your feelings. Let go of what's not working.

We don't need to be perfect like TV characters. We just need to be brave enough to apply some of their confidence to our real, messy lives.

And maybe channel a little main character energy while we're at it.

Because honestly?

You deserve a love story that's just as good as the ones on TV. Maybe even better, because it's real.

So next time you're spiraling about a text or overthinking a date, just ask yourself: What would [insert your favorite TV character] do?

And then probably do that.

Unless it's something crazy like what they do on Love Island reality shows. Then maybe... don't.

You get what I mean.