POP CULTURE

Pop Culture Meets Self-Discovery in This Ultimate Roundup

Say hello to the frequencies and visuals to soothe your soul and help you fall back in love with yourself.

BY KENZA FAROOK|PUBLISHED: SEP 25, 2025

Pop Culture Meets Self-Discovery in This Ultimate Roundup

Say hello to the frequencies and visuals to soothe your soul and help you fall back in love with yourself.

Fact: Movies, songs and TV shows are not just entertainment. They carry layered stories and different POVs. Here are our faves that stand out for their messages of life, love, discovery and much more:

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MOVIES

Movies that will give you all the feels…in the best way possible.

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🍿The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty may look like a typical cheesy movie, but the message packs a punch. Looking for your purpose in life? This movie is perfect for getting on the road to rediscovery.

Fave Quote: “To see the world, things dangerous to come to, to see behind walls, draw closer, to find each other, and to feel. That is the purpose of life.”

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🍿The Pursuit of Happyness

Cue the water works! This movie’s got wholesome dad-son moments and scenes that’ll make you reconsider your perspective on privilege. The core message is about believing in yourself no matter what, even when everyone may look at you differently. One day, the tide will change.

Fave Quote: "Don't ever let somebody tell you you can't do something. Not even me. You gotta dream, you gotta protect it. People can't do somethin' themselves, they wanna tell you you can't do it. You want something, go get it. Period.”

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🍿Good Will Hunting

You know how bottling up your emotions does more harm than good? This movie advocates for expressing your feelings, so you can rediscover yourself and evolve into a better version. Want another reason to watch this? You get to see Matt Damon and Ben Affleck in their acting prime — not something you wanna miss!

Fave Quote: “It’s not your fault.” (No, really - it’s not)

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🍿Soul

We’re all obsessed with something: a goal or version of ourselves we’re chasing. This can sometimes build a wall between us and the life we’re trying to create. And the cost? Usually it’s ourselves. You tend to get caught up in the doing and forget the being. Soul gently reminds us that helping a friend can often lead us back to ourselves. Besides, sometimes the advice we give a friend can be exactly what we need to hear, too.

Fave Quote: “Lost souls are obsessed by something that disconnects them from life.”

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🍿The Wild Robot

This one’s a favourite for all the right reasons. Move over, Nick Wilde (Zootopia); Fink from The Wild Robot has some serious fox energy. And let’s be honest, Pedro Pascal voicing this character has us seriously swooning! But beyond all this, the movie is a reminder that it’s okay to feel lost. And it's during moments like this that you truly discover who you are and what you want to achieve. In the end, we could all use a little boost!

Fave Quote: "Sometimes to survive, we must become more than we were programmed to be."

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TV SHOWS

Cue the snacks and drinks, ‘cause we’ve got a lineup of the best binge-worthy shows that’ll give you a renewed sense of vigour

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📽️: Ted Lasso

Ted Lasso is more than a comedy about sports. It talks about having empathy and kindness, effective leadership, and self-confidence. Without a doubt, you’ll walk away having learned something new.

Fave Quote: "You know how they say that 'youth is wasted on the young'? Well, I say don't let the wisdom of age be wasted on you.” [S01E04]

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📽️: The Marvellous Mrs. Maisel

Two words: female empowerment. This show will help you find the courage to break free of gender and societal norms, reconnect with yourself, and find independence. It’s fun, fast-paced, and has plenty of witty banter!

Fave Quote: "Why do women have to pretend to be something that they're not? Why do we have to pretend to be stupid when we're not stupid? Why do we have to pretend to be helpless when we're not helpless? Why do we have to pretend to be sorry when we have nothing to be sorry about? Why do we have to pretend we're not hungry when we're hungry?" [S01E01]

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📽️: Scandal

Quote: "I'm choosing me." [S07E18]

Brilliant, powerful and thrilling, Scandal dives into the real-world complexities of power, race, and gender. If you adore strong female leads, high stakes and drama, this one's for you.

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MUSIC

Bangers that hold meaning

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🎵This is Me by Keala Settle

Why this is🔥:

Self-love and acceptance are the running themes of this song. You’re unique in your own way, and no one can change that.

“When the sharpest words wanna cut me down

I'm gonna send a flood, gonna drown 'em out

I am brave, I am bruised

I am who I'm meant to be, this is me.”

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🎵Fight Song by Rachel Platten

Why this is🔥:

This is the ultimate anthem to help you overcome your insecurities.

“And I don't really care if nobody else believes

'Cause I've still got a lot of fight left in me”

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🎵Love Myself by Hailee Steinfeld

Why this is🔥:

The journey to discovering yourself starts with self-love.

“Gonna love myself, no, I don't need anybody else”

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🎵Scars To Your Beautiful by Alessia Cara

Why this is🔥:

Listen, we all have flaws, that’s what makes us human. Embracing your flaws will awaken the light inside you didn’t even know existed.

“And you don't have to change a thing, the world could change its heart

No scars to your beautiful, we're stars and we're beautiful”

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🎵Lose You To Love Me by Selena Gomez

Why this is🔥:

Sometimes, the person you think you’re in love with can be the reason you’re holding back from living up to your true potential. It’s only when you part ways that you can finally look inwards and fall in love with yourself.

“We'd always go into it blindly

I needed to lose you to find me

This dancing was killing me softly

I needed to hate you to love me”

Want more? Find our curated playlists on Cosmopolitan Sri Lanka’s official Spotify account.

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