What ‘Young & Hungry’ Taught Me in My 20s

Funny, witty, and heartfelt, Young & Hungry is a show on ABC Family that you need to binge watch before its fall premiere on August 19. It is not a typical show you would think would be on ABC Family, given its adult material. The show is about a young girl named Gabi, played by Emily Osment, who finds herself in debt and desperate for a job. So, following her passion with food, she applies to be a cook for a rich techie in San Francisco. What seems like a smooth ride to employment quickly becomes quite the predicament.

Warning: season one spoilers ahead.

So here some lessons that we can all take away from season one of Young & Hungry.

There is nothing like the feeling of landing your first job.

The real world can be scary, and even scarier when you do not have a job to support you. So just take any opportunity that comes your way, even if it’s one that you did not picture yourself in before–because you never know where it will lead you. As Gabi starts off of Josh’s cook, she meets a lot of interesting people along the way who not only open more doors, but become her closest friends. Take any opportunity that comes your way, because you never know what will happen.

With that said, do not screw this opportunity up. It probably goes without saying, but sleeping with your boss is probably not the best idea. We all know that alcohol can make our decision-making skills a bit fuzzy, so when drinking with people from work, remember to stick to the one drink rule. Stay classy, not trashy.

Also, dress to impress. If Gabi offered to let me borrow any of her outfits that she wore in the show, I totally would. Each of her outfits are stylish, colorful, and work-appropriate. Sometimes we forget that our wardrobes gets noticed by others at work. So it is important to look put-together, even though you may have woken up late, rushed to the train, and almost spilled coffee on your clothes along the way.

Do not have office romances. I repeat, do not. In season one, Gabi is thinking more with her heart than her head at times. She falls for tech-savvy, geeky Cooper, played by Jesse McCartney, when Josh hires him. Things quickly get messy. They sneak behind Josh’s back and the guilt sinks in. Josh has been nothing but kind to the both of them. So Cooper accepts a job in China and, despite the long-distance adjustment, at least there are no more office romances (or so you would think- yes, I am talking to you Josh!).

Do not be afraid of new opportunities. When Gabi meets Logan, who is played by Ashley Tisdale, she wants to get her cooking career off the ground. With Logan’s connections and credentials, Gabi knows that she could help get her career to the next level–even though she does not know what the next level consists of. So she says yes to attempting to write her first foodie article. Though Gabi had no experience, she comes in with a positive attitude.

Living on your own can be so much more fun with your best friend by your side. When you move out of your parents’ house, you do not have to venture off to a big city alone. Having a best friend with you can make it seem less scary. You know that someone has your back at the end of the day when the going gets tough. And that is what Sofia is to Gabi. Gabi’s best friend, Sofia, is possibly my favorite character on the show. Her personality comes alive on screen. Sofia is spunky and strong willed and can do great impersonations of her friends. Most importantly, she is always there for Gabi when she needs a friend the most. From broken hearts to new adventures, Sofia is always by Gabi’s side.

When you feel like you have no one, the people that you really need may be in front of you all along. Throughout the season, it is revealed that Gabi lost her mom. This void has crept in from time to time throughout the season. But just remember, no matter what happens in life, you will always have a support team. It may not be a group you envisioned, but it is one that has your back through thick and thin.

Ultimately, the show is refreshing. You cannot compare Young & Hungry to other shows on ABC Family. The show has an interesting cast who embody unique characters. This season is a great set-up for season two.

Season two continues August 19 on ABC Family.