Researchers call this “emotional granularity”—the ability to feel complex, even contradictory emotions at once. Watching a show like OITNB that makes you laugh and sob in equal measure is like emotional weightlifting for your soul. It builds resilience. You get better at handling real-world heartbreaks without falling apart.
And let’s be real: who doesn’t want to be more resilient while also getting a good belly laugh? Poussey’s arc gives you both. It’s like a two-for-one deal at the emotional buffet. You leave the episode heavier, sure, but also weirdly lighter because you laughed through the tears.
How to Make Your Own Life More “Poussey”
Start small. Watch that sad movie your friends told you about—but do it with a bunch of snacks and a friend to laugh at the awkward parts. Talk about the heavy stuff with a wink. Embrace the chaos like Poussey did with her makeshift family in Litchfield.
10 TV Shows That Were Ruined By 1 Character Death
You don’t have to die to be legendary. You just have to live like you’re in a scene where you can be both devastated and defiantly joyful. That’s the trick. That’s the fun.
