The hardest working princess we know, Tiana is pure magic. From the very beginning, Tiana is different. She is family focused, hard working, but still a big dreamer. Her goals are never to have someone swoop in and fix everything; she is determined to fix things herself. I love that her dreamer side is just as big as her working & determined to succeed side. They work together, which is so realistic and inspiring.
Tiana begins by working double shifts to be able to afford her dream restaurant venue. She is so focused on her goal that keeps her from living a full life, but she has chosen to put her career goals first and I respect that. She represents the backlash that so many women receive for choosing to pursue career success. No one understands why she is so determined to chase such a challenging goal, but she is so committed. I love seeing a princess so committed to working for her dreams.
Then in a moment of desperation that we can all relate to, she wishes on a star hoping for any extra help she can get. Long story short, she gets turned into a frog and her plans totally hop off the rails. While so many argue that she stays a frog for way too long, which is true, I love how this time grows her and gives her perspective.
If Tiana has a tragic quality, it’s forgetting to fully live her life. She is so focused on achieving her dreams that she ignores her family and friends and any chance of love. Even as a frog, it takes her awhile to realize that life needs people to be fulfilling.
By the end of the film, she realizes that choosing Naveen doesn’t mean she isn’t choosing her dream. I think that this is the perfect example of how to have the best of both worlds. Tiana doesn’t give up her dream for a man. She simply expands it. She realizes that her life will be fuller, and her dream will be richer with someone to share it with. She teaches us not to compromise our goals for anyone, but sharing them with the right person only makes them bigger and stronger.
So if your dreams are almost there, keep working. Keep dreaming. Don’t let anyone persuade you or discourage you from hustling to make them come true. Ask for help when you need it, whether from a wishing star or friendly firefly. Don’t sacrifice your dream for anyone, but be open to accepting someone into your dream, someone who completes your dream not you. Don’t lose sight of what’s important. You’re almost there.
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