Influential people can be found in so many areas of life, whether that person is real or fictional. Influence is something that makes us do the things we might not do without a push. When I think of an influential, motivational person, my mind immediately goes to Blair Waldorf. In Gossip Girl, she showed us leadership, fashion, and ambition. While the intended audience for the show was girls in their late teens and early twenties, Blair is someone that all people can find influence from and agree is iconic. She was always unapologetically herself, which gave her a lot of influence.
She Was the Queen of Taking Charge
Leadership is something we all can have. Everyone can be a leader, but certain situations require someone to take control. Blair Waldorf was someone who could problem-solve as her life depended on it. Blair was the “queen bee” of her high school clique. She used her role to dictate fashion trends, social order, and events throughout high school. She took her job seriously and did not care about stepping on toes when needed. At times, her methods could be perceived as manipulative, but she showed us that when it comes down to it, you have to be stern to keep your group together. Many people are struggling with this because it is easy to let emotions get in the way of progress. Blair Waldorf ruled with an iron fist, and that was one of her most vital traits.
Her Headbands
A staple in fashion throughout the years, headbands are an accessory that can polarize certain groups of people. Whether you love or hate them, Blair Waldorf put them on the map in recent years. Having something you are known for is a unique phenomenon. Blair Waldorf used a versatile hairpiece to show the world who she is and ensure they do not forget her. Gossip Girl was on air from 2007 to 2012, and people still talk about her headbands. There is no headband discourse without mentioning Blair Waldorf because it is genuinely that iconic. Nine years after the show’s end, her association with headbands is still being referenced (This article discusses a headband resurgence in 2021). No matter the situation she was dealing with or the scheme she was creating, she had a perfect headband to fit her outfit. This aspect of her was exceptionally inspiring to all people. Her headbands symbolize staying true to you and keeping it together even when life gets tough.
Her Relationships Hold So Much Importance
The people you love are a large part of your life. Your loved ones, family members, and friends are present in different categories of your day-to-day activities, and they are not people that should be taken for granted. Blair held a select group of people close to her, and if you were included in her circle, you had protection in all your hard times. She demonstrated what it means to be a loyal friend, even when there were frustrations in certain relationships. To be a person with a fierce energy that can also be a shoulder to cry on is a person with layers and complexity. Blair’s relationship with her father is an excellent example of continuing to nurture a relationship when unpredictable events arise. Blair’s father left her mother for a man when she was a sophomore in high school. In this situation, she had every right to turn her emotions toward the situation into anger and malice. Still, she forgives her father and accepts his relationship with the man. Her relationship with her father was vital to her, and the continuance of it showed her loyalty and resilience.
Blair was a complicated and flawed character. Not all of her decisions were the best, and sometimes she hurt people. It can be easy to assume things about her, but time and time again, she has been able to illustrate exceptional qualities that people can look up to. Her influence in leadership, fashion, and loyalty make her an inspiration. Although she is not real, her example and impact genuinely are.
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