Why the Long Face (a personal fan narrative)
“When you find yourself lost and disoriented and underwater and you don't know which way is up, it's important to breathe” (Waksberg, R. B., & Santamaria, V. 2016).
Television has a remarkable ability to transcend mere entertainment and resonate with viewers on a deeply personal level. For me, "Bojack Horseman" exemplifies this, as its poignant exploration of themes like personal responsibility, forgiveness, and self-improvement truly struck a chord with me. In this essay I will talk about how Bojack Horseman allowed me to begin to break bad habits and helped me fight my social anxiety.
Since I'm lazy I will let IMDb explain the plot of Bojack horseman for me. Bojack Horseman is about the titular BoJack Horseman (a horse) who was “the star of the hit television show "Horsin' Around" in the '80s and '90s, but [is now] washed up, living in Hollywood, complaining about everything, and wearing colorful sweaters” (IMDb Writers 2014)
But what does this alcoholic horse have to do with me? Well, let me take you back to when I was younger, not that much younger than I am now.
I was someone who struggled to take responsibility for who I was. I'd blame others for my problems, never really looking inward to become a better person. In class, I'd stick to my four close friends, failing to connect with anyone else due to my lacking social skills. It felt like I was sinking in a pit of tar, with no way out. Even with my close friends, I felt extremely lonely, lacking any meaningful connections with those around me. It left me grappling with a profound sense of existential unease.
This cycle persisted into my sophomore year and deep into the COVID pandemic without any real change. But deep down, I knew there was potential within me to strive for something better, something more, rather than remaining stuck in who I was.
So, during the depths of COVID, almost by chance and perhaps as a means of escapism, I found myself indulging in the show about a horse with daddy issues.
From the very first episode, I felt an undeniable connection to Bojack—a washed-up actor grappling with the ghosts of his past. Like him, I had spent years wrestling with my own feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt, unable to confront the root causes of my dissatisfaction. This internal dissatisfaction spurred on a wave of social anxiety that prevented me from truly or meaningfully opening up to anyone, which only made me more miserable. Despite the outward appearances of a somewhat well adjusted person, I knew deep down that a sense of purpose, of authenticity, of connection was missing from my life. It was this existential hole that "Bojack Horseman" so poignantly reflected back onto myself that forced me to confront the uncomfortable truths lurking beneath the surface of my own life.
Throughout the series, BoJack's attempts at change are met with failure, highlighting the difficulty and gradual nature of personal transformation. It's a reminder that change isn't easy—it requires hard work and the humility to acknowledge one's own shortcomings. One of my favorite quotes from season two that helps exemplify this idea comes from a jogging baboon (not exactly a central character, he just jogs). He tells BoJack, "It gets easier. Every day it gets a little easier. But you gotta do it every day —that's the hard part. But it does get easier" (Waksberg, R. B., Aron Elijah, & Young Jordan)
With this wisdom in mind, I began to embrace the journey of self-improvement and began to climb what seemed like an insurmountable mountain in front of me. One of the first habits I tackled was my hygiene,which sounds boring, I know. Looking back, I realize I was probably dealing with some level of depression. I hardly left my room except for essentials like food or haircuts. Anyways, the first step I took was improving my consistency with hygiene. I started brushing my teeth twice a day and made an effort with skincare, rather than spending all day in bed doing nothing. It may sound small, but at the time, I felt genuinely proud of this progress and thus began the journey out of the abyss and into the unknown.
Swimming As I kept watching the show and its seasons unfolded, I found myself pushing beyond my comfort zone. I picked up new skills like learning how to take care of suits, car care, and even eyebrow care (yes I am insane why do you ask). While they may seem trivial, these small victories meant a lot to me. It was also around this time that I began to prioritize my fitness.
What kept me going throughout all of this was the realization that if anything was going to change, I had to be the one to make it happen. I didn't want to follow in BoJack's footsteps, constantly blaming his upbringing for who he became. Sure, my own upbringing had its challenges (though I know others have had it worse), but I refused to let it define me. I wanted to become someone I could truly be proud of.
Once I understood the role I played in shaping my own life and realized I could distance myself from my past, I started making genuine efforts to change. This was a journey BoJack struggled with throughout the series, getting close to meaningful change in season 6 but often slipping back into old habits due to his past actions. Yet, what I admire about the show is how BoJack's actions always catch up to him, teaching me to confront my own habits head-on.
One of my biggest challenges in this journey was working out. Just to be clear, I don't believe that not working out makes you inferior to people that do. For me, working out became a way to build confidence and shed insecurities about my body.
In the past, I struggled with insecurity and faced hurtful comments about my physique. So, I decided to take charge and hit the gym LIKE THE TRUE MAN I AM. But let me tell you, pushing yourself to the limit six days a week isn't easy. However, I kept reminding myself that my actions would shape my future, drawing inspiration from BoJack's journey through rehab.
Continuing to work out and eat better, I started to see results. It wasn't anything dramatic, but it made a significant difference in how I viewed myself. This brings me to what I consider the final frontier of personal development for myself: dealing with my own anxiety
BoJack Horseman delves into depression, but it also shines a light on how anxiety often goes hand in hand with it. Throughout the show, BoJack turns to drugs and alcohol to cope with his anxiety, while his tendency to avoid difficult situations is often rooted in fear.
For me, anxiety has been a lifelong companion, especially during the chaos of COVID-19. It felt like my anxiety was this relentless force, tugging at me constantly. Simple tasks became monumental challenges. I'd shake just trying to swipe my credit card at the store. It was like my mind was on overdrive, overthinking everything and leaving little room for anything else.
I became trapped in this cycle of self-doubt, just like BoJack. But watching his journey made me realize something profound: my insecurity came from being too focused on myself. I was so worried about how I appeared to others that I couldn't truly connect with them.
In BoJack's journey toward redemption, he learns to think beyond himself and faces his fears head-on. That inspired me to tackle my anxiety. Now, I'm not saying it's easy to just "get over" anxiety—it's different for everyone. But I knew I had to try.
So, I started pushing myself into uncomfortable situations, knowing it would shape me for the better. And you know what? It worked. Slowly but surely, I began to see positive changes in myself. It's been a journey, but I'm proud of how far I've come.
Bojack Horseman has had a profound impact on my life, not to imply that it has necessarily cured any of my vices, but I am proud to say I am in a much better position now than I was then. I have genuine people I can rely on, and I've made strides in improving myself physically, mentally, and emotionally. Overall, I feel like a better version of myself, and that's something I'm proud of. I am happy that I was able to come across this show when I did, and I am forever grateful for the opportunity it helped allow for me.