Top 5 Friends Quotes, Phoebe Buffay Style

When it wasn’t your day, your week, your month, or even your year… your friends were there. Six of them, to be exact.

Arguably one of the most influential TV shows of our lifetime, Friends, aired from September 22nd, 1994 until its iconic finale on May 6th, 2004. The six friends even reunited after 25 years for a Friends reunion special on HBO Max just last year. Whether you related most to Rachel, Monica, Chandler, Joey, Ross, or Phoebe, Friends taught us everything we needed to know about doing life as a young adult with no money and absolutely no clue what to do next.

Are you headstrong and have a newfound independence like Rachel? Maybe you’re more of the “mother” of your friend group, with a touch of competitiveness like Monica. Are you not great with advice? Sarcastic comments and sheer whit might be the epitome of your personality like Chandler. On the flip side, maybe you’re extroverted and charming (bonus points if you’re Italian) like Joey. Are you methodical and pride yourself on being the smartest one in the room like Ross? Or perhaps Phoebe is your style, with a spirit almost as free as her -lance work.

We all know the classic Friends TV show quotes. “Pivot”, “We were on a break”, “How you doin’?”, “I got off the plane”, and “Oh. My. God.” to name a few. Some of the best Friends quotes, however, were said by everyone’s favorite floopy, freelance masseuse and coffeehouse singer/songwriter, Phoebe Buffay.

Top 5 Friends Quotes, Spoken by Phoebe Buffay

“I don’t even have a ‘pla’.” Season 1, Episode 4

Such a way with words… sort of. And yet, we can all relate to Phoebe on this one. Life never goes exactly how we expect. We can plan everything in our lives down to the most miniscule detail. In the end though, we really aren’t the ones in control. And that’s ok!

Control what you can, and accept what you cannot. Don’t worry about planning out your entire life. One of the overwhelming themes of Friends was that none of the biggest moments in the six friends’ lives went according to plan. Phoebe didn’t marry David the scientist guy. Ross’s wife turned out to be a lesbian. Monica and Chandler ended up with twins. These are moments no amount of planning could ever prepare you for. Allow yourself to accept that it’s ok to not have a plan… or even a “pla”.

“Chandler, you have got to stop staring at that door. It’s like a watched pot. If you keep watching it, the door is never going to boil.” Season 2, Episode 24

Think about what your life looked like 15 years ago. Or even 5 years ago. Now, compare it to where you are today. Every single day, you’re making moves towards the life you’ve always wanted. Change is happening all around you constantly. More often than not, we’re too busy with work and daily life to notice.

If you’re constantly seeking immediate change or improvement, you might wind up disappointed. Whatever you do, don’t let it discourage you. Take it from Phoebe, stop waiting on some big monumental moment. Appreciate how far you’ve come and the progress you’re continuously making every day. Give your pot time to boil… or your door. Whichever suits you.

“It’s just so strange. I mean, she probably woke up today and thought, ‘Ok I’ll have some breakfast, then I’ll take a little walk, then I’ll have my massage.’ Little did she know God was thinking, ‘Ok but that’s it’.” Season 2, Episode 11

With her own lighthearted comedic spin, we can learn from Phoebe that essentially, life is precious. Once again, we are reminded that we are not the ones in control. Be sure to do all of the little things that bring you joy on a daily basis. Eat delicious foods that you love. Go outside for some fresh air and soak in the sunshine. Treat yourself to a massage or any of life’s simple pleasures. You deserve it, and you owe it to yourself to enjoy every single day you have on this Earth.

“She’s your lobster. It’s a known fact that lobsters fall in love and mate for life. You can actually see old lobster couples walking around their tank, you know, holding claws.” Season 2, Episode 14

Ross and Rachel… Rachel and Ross… It’s been one heck of a seesaw. Regardless, Phoebe was onto something. Watching them grow apart and back together a couple dozen times left audiences wondering if those two lobsters would ever end up together. (Spoiler alert) They did, and you and your lobster will, too. No matter what forces in life pull you apart, hold their claw and never let go.

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“When I was growing up, I didn’t have a normal mom and dad or a regular family like everybody else. And I always knew that something was missing. But now I’m standing here today knowing that I have everything I’m ever going to need. You are my family.” Season 10, Episode 12

Whether you apply this line to some random guy named Mike from your local coffee shop that you inadvertently fell for or your small circle of friends, it holds a world of meaning.

Many of us don’t grow up with a life we wish we had. Childhood can be rough for a number of reasons. But YOU control your destiny. At the end of the day, you control who you surround yourself with. Family is important, yes. But your chosen family is unmatched.

Friends beautifully exemplified that we all have trauma. We’re human. We all have our own issues and personal challenges that make us who we are. We’re all navigating life together, one day at a time. No one told you life was going to be this way. Even if your job’s a joke, you’re broke, or your love life’s DOA, with any luck, you have your chosen family to help you through it.

Looking for more inspiration? Check out more inspiring quotes, Disney style.