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#10: Change Inflicted Anxiety
Sheldon Cooper does not like change. The mere thought of the tiniest shift in the status quo is enough to throw him off balance. While many of us can adapt to our everchanging worlds with relative ease, there’s no denying that the unknown can be scary. Throughout the series, Sheldon’s forced to face this fear, whether it’s getting intimate with Amy, dealing with new living arrangements, or even his life-changing Nobel Prize win. His overwhelming anxiety in these moments evokes his fight or flight response, and he often opts for the latter until his friends help him get through it. Next time you feel distressed about changes in your life, just try to remember Penny’s comforting words.
#9: Body Image Struggles
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Body positivity can be quite challenging, especially when we can consistently compare ourselves to others just by opening an app on our phones. Amy's often been the target of less-than-kind comments about her appearance, but we always admired her for staying true to herself. That made it all the more devastating when Raj — no stranger to body issues either — finds her crying in the bathroom after seeing her photo plastered across the internet. It's heartbreaking that social conditioning can overshadow something as monumental as a Nobel win. Still, this is an issue many of us can relate to. There's nothing wrong with wanting to look good, but beauty comes in many forms, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise!
#8: Mistreatment of Others
Playing into the age-old 'nerd' trope, the guys often shared stories about how they were tormented by their schoolmates. And, even in adulthood, they haven't been able to avoid that unpleasantness altogether. In one episode, the tables are turned when the guys are unfairly mean to Penny's beau Zack. However, the most notable example is when Leonard faces one of the biggest antagonists of his youth, Jimmy Speckerman. Leonard lists all the awful things he did, showing how these things stay with you and can even have long-lasting effects. Meanwhile, Penny learns she wasn't so kind in her youth either. Still, Leonard doesn't get the reckoning he hoped for, but his fear, hurt, and anger are all too recognizable.
#7: Relationship Timeline Pressures
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Many of us can feel like we’re racing against a clock if we’re not at the life-stage ingrained societal norms tell us we should be. From first kisses to first “I love yous,” and even first times, “Big Bang” has covered it all. Of course, a prime example is Sheldon and Amy’s relationship. The duo moves at a pace that’s right for them, regardless of what anyone else thinks. Even if Amy gets a little… frustrated… neither pressure the other into big relationship steps until they’re both ready. If any relationship taught us that love and life aren’t a race, it’s Shamy’s. If that’s not couple goals, we don’t know what is.
#6: Women in Science
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According to the “STEM Women” website, women make up less than half of the professional science industry. After Bernadette and Amy joined the gang, the show tackled this subject several times. Bernadette often talks about how hard she fights to be taken seriously, while Amy bears the crushing weight of potentially being the fourth female Nobel prize winner in Physics. Both also divulged that they feel they must underplay their success to their respective partners. When the guys are tasked with encouraging a group of young ladies to consider a career in the sciences, they hand over the reins to the experts. Watching them share their passion for their jobs dressed as Disney Princesses is truly a stroke of brilliance.
#5: Financial Distress
Although it affects us all in one way or another, conversations surrounding money tend to make people uncomfortable. However, “The Big Bang” writers don’t seem to be in that category. Throughout the series, Penny, Stuart, and even Raj struggle financially. Luckily, they have great friends who can and are willing to help them out. We also see Penny deal with debt, which, thanks to Leonard, comes back to haunt her in season nine. The show also addresses how money can impact relationships, whether it’s Bernadette outearning Howard or Leonard struggling with the economic shift in his and Penny’s dynamic. When it comes to financial woes, “The Big Bang Theory” is usually on the money.
#4: Not All Women Feel Maternal
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And that’s okay! We could practically hear the collective sigh of relief when Bernadette told Howard that she didn’t see motherhood in her future. In a world that tells women that not wanting kids is unnatural or selfish, it’s a huge deal to see someone like Bernadette on our screens. Later, she worries that the societal-dictated maternal gene isn’t kicking in even during her pregnancy. And her anxieties about motherhood interfering with her career are super relatable, too. In season 12, Penny also reveals that she isn’t sure she wants children. Sure, both become mothers in the end, but the idea that it’s not the only path for women is still out there.
#3: Mental Health
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In a society that’s only beginning to grow more comfortable discussing mental well-being, it’s great seeing our favorite TV shows join the conversation. Although the show also touches on other disorders, it primarily focuses on anxiety, the most common mental health issue in the U.S. today. We’ve already touched on Sheldon, but Leonard battles his own demons while Stuart talks openly about his. Raj’s ex-girlfriend Lucy also struggles with debilitatingly severe anxiety. And many of us probably first heard about the rare but real selective mutism because of the show. By giving us characters with relatable issues, audiences could feel a little less alone in the world. And, if they could overcome their hurdles, then so could we.
#2: Complicated Parent-Child Relationships
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Throughout the series, the main gang endured less-than-ideal parent-child relationships. Penny’s father wished she was a boy, Raj is too dependent on his folks, and Sheldon and his mom often clash. Howard’s relationship with his mom is infamously unhealthy, and he often mentions that his dad walked out on them. He eventually finds closure for his absent father when Sheldon unearths an old letter from him. Also, whenever we meet Leonard’s mom, we can see how her distant parenting style hurt her son. Indeed, just as he thinks they’re growing closer, he’s bitterly let down once more. However, his choice to forgive her is powerfully poignant. It’s comforting to see hope in their reconciliation.
#1: Losing a Parent
Dealing with loss is never easy, and grief is very personal. For instance, after Professor Proton passes away, Sheldon, Leonard, and Penny each mourn him in their own way. We also learn that grief is at the core of Sheldon’s hatred for Christmas. But, in season eight, we all had to say goodbye to the one-of-a-kind Mrs. Wolowitz after her voice actress Carol Ann Susi tragically passed away. The most moving moment is when Sheldon comforts his friend, knowing all too well the feeling of losing a parent. Back at the apartment, Leonard delivers a heartfelt toast in honor of Mrs. Wolowitz and Susi. After watching that episode, we all hugged our loved ones a little tighter.
