How has the buffyverse helped you in life?

[funsmiley]

Hey guys,

i hope there's not a thread like this already.

so i was thinking about how much buffy and angel has helped me through some pretty hard stuff in my life and how if i had had a hard day buffy would always be my comfort, what about you guys? you don't have to go into to much detail. when you had a hard day did you think, a buffy or angel or any whedon creation watch is needed?

It'd be nice to hear your stories.


I just like the thought of us fans coming together and sharing stories of our buffy past. 🙂

 

[Jodast]

Buffy has always been my 'go to' when I'm down. For a couple of reasons. Firstly the show is great and deals intelligently with issues that normal people experience on a daily basis. Sure they take the first love breaking your heart thing and turn it into a soulless vampire who walks out after sex, but the metaphors and allegories make it slightly less raw and painful but keep it equally relatable.

Second, when I first joined the UK Buffy fandom in '99 it was a great time getting to know people and set up websites and chat channels. It's all long gone now but the exsperiences were great and I will remember them for a long time to come. and I always connect Buffy and the fan community, even when I haven't been directly involved.

 

[AmelRIOT]

I was bullied a lot in school and I use to hurt myself not cutting don't worry but when I curled up in bed the first thing I would put on were my Buffy VHS they always cheered me up, one time at hope my parents were arguing so bad I ran to my room got my buffy figure hugged it and watch Buffy non stop it made me feel like I was in the buffy world and not mine anymore.

One time I was in so much pain I felt like I wanted to die so decided to put "Earshot" on as I love it and then when Buffy did her speech to Jonathan about pain it made me feel much better as myself. Buffy wasn't popular anymore and got picked on and so did her friends but they stuck together, battle their demons together and got through life which I did too.

Plus I love buying merch to show how much Buffy means to me and helps me and always feel happy when I get a new item. Buffy will always help through life.

 

[funsmiley]

Im glad you guys answered the thread its funny because when i was at school i was such a loner and im not ashamed to admit it. i was happy that way. no one was nice to me really, some would be and then be mean to me the next, i used to be snickered about all the time and i would sometimes catch people out and they would just suddenly stop because they knew i knew, they were talking about me. I was home schooled on and off for 3 years for personal reasons and when i did go into school people would call me a skiver and all sorts.

but when it got all to much and i didn't think i could face another day i used to think, "what would buffy do?"

 

[Nix]

Watching Angel and Buffy kept me sane though a few times in my life. More importantly now I find the fandom (friends I make online because of Buffy and Angel) keeps me sane and functioning ok. For example; Buffy-Boards is always there when I need it to be 🙂

 

[JCoatsworth]

Well, it didn't help me in terms of teaching me a lesson for life or something. It was just like this place I could go when things sucked. I would turn on my TV, watch BtVS and forget about the daily crap.

 

[kittenpoker]

Buffy has helped me tremendously!!!! I find it difficult to put into words what an impact this show (and angel) has had on my life.

I came to the show a scared and lost little girl - and I desperately wanted to learn how to become a strong and confident woman. Buffy is my role model. She's my inspiration.

And yes of course when I just need to feel happy. I put on an ep that cheers me up and suddenly everything is better.

 

[brinkster130]

Well, it didn't help me in terms of teaching me a lesson for life or something. It was just like this place I could go when things sucked. I would turn on my TV, watch BtVS and forget about the daily crap.

^Same here. It is a nice go-to show to watch when I want something I know I'm going to enjoy.

I'd also add that it lead me to this fandom and BB, which has been for the most part a positive experience.

 

[WileyDairyGnome]

Buffy has gotten me through a lot. Of course there's Willow, but I find there's a huge subtext to being "in the closet" with Buffy being the slayer and all, and that has helped me through a lot about myself. When Buffy "came out" to her Mom about being a slayer, and explaining that it wasn't a choice it's just who she was, the fact that Buffy became so much more stronger because of it, it made me stronger about myself.

Also, when I'm depressed and going through personal drama, I think about everything that Buffy and the gang had went through, especially in Season 6. And I think about how at the end of Season 6, Buffy pulled herself out of the ground to find the world to really be a beautiful place. I used to think that the world was so scary, and maybe not even worth living in. I go by the saying "The hardest thing in this world is to live in it". It's completely true, and thinking about that and how Buffy was able move on after all she went through and to find a new appreciation for life, it makes me realize that the world can indeed be a beautiful place.

And of course, the fandom itself. BB is like a second home for me, and if it weren't for Buffy and BB, I never would have met some amazing people who I'm glad to call friends. I owe Buffy (and Joss Whedon for that matter) so much for who I am today.

 

[Robb Stark]

It's hard for me to describe something like this. I watched Buffy and Angel for the first time in high school and loved the show, but I just finished a re-watch a few weeks ago that I'm not ashamed to admit, completely saved me.

The last year has been extremely difficult, to degrees I didn't think were even possible. But like a few others have said, Buffy (and Angel) has kept me sane. There have been a lot of hard days, too many, but it has been an incredible comfort to just come home and watch a few episodes. Hell, it's almost been like a therapy for me.

But more than the shows themselves, Buffy and Angel have been huge, huge influences and helps to me. I try and take a lot from both of them, and when things get tough, as they've had a tendency to do of late, trying to think about the things that Buffy and Angel have done and how I can apply that to my own life has helped a lot. I've taken a ton from Angel. That life is hard, really hard, but the fight is what's important, and that what we do now is what matters, regardless of what's come before. I think that's a cool message.

But even more than Angel, I've never related to or connected to a character more than Buffy. I find her incredibly inspiring (and like, the best possible girlfriend ever). I've found that in every season of the show I take a lot from her. Just thinking about how she would handle tough situations and thinking about everything she goes through, I don't know, it makes things a little easier a lot of the time.

Honestly, I don't know where I'd be without Buffy. She's amazing, and means more to me than I can say.

 

[Abbeycat]

If I can put this as simply as possible and as short as possible...

Buffyverse helped me feel like I kind of fit in. Helped me feel Like I do belong and nothing anyone says or thinks matters.

 

[funsmiley]

I am quite overwhelmed by the response this thread has received and i thank all those who have so far shared their stories, now i am going to share one of my stories and tell you how buffy has helped me.

So when I was 11 i was diagnosed with aspergers syndrome. My parents had always suspected i was different but couldn't find the right help to get me diagnosed so they sort of brushed it under the carpet for a bit.

I was ok really, i didn't really notice anything different about myself, though sometimes people would laugh at me when i rocked back and forth and pointed out my differences and i could never do the work at school and was held back a year but it never really bothered me until i reached secondary school.

I sort of had a breakdown and the aspergers was beginning to show a lot more. I was always anxious and started suffering from agrophobia and some angry lash outs whenever i would have a panic attack. In the end because i couldn't go out, i wouldn't go to school. i say wouldn't because people tried to make me go, (education services, teachers and my parents.) But i just couldn't go my agrophobia was so bad, during this time i was home schooled.

My parents were trying desperately to get me the help i needed but it just wasn't happening everything back then was a mess, it was effecting everyone around me in some way. I was eventually officially diagnosed just before i was to turn 12 and was then given extra support and was given medical help with my agrophobia and anxiety.

I never went to high school and was home schooled on and off between going to a special place for people with forms of autism.

Through all of that all i did was watch buffy nearly everyday and night it just helped me so much during that time and even now when i fell horrible and like i cant cope with the world, to my buffy world is where i go. I love buffy now just as much as i did then and i don't think i ever will stop loving it.

So everybody take your hats off and raise your hands for the best show ever, Buffy the vampire slayer!!! 😉