Reflecting on the Twilight Saga: Mistakes in My Teen Years?

When I reflect back on my teenage years, there are certain decisions I now wish I could erase. One such regret centers around the Twilight Saga. Although the series sparked a craze, I have realized that my enthusiasm for it has left a lasting impact on my life, particularly in terms of relationship expectations. These books, with their problematic content, have left me with a sense of internal conflict and a lingering sense of regret.

Are You Regretting Enjoying the Twilight Saga When It Was Released?

I do. The books are pretty problematic, and not just by today's standards. They are poorly written, and the story teaches young girls a lot of negative things about relationships. But what truly frustrates me is that despite their flaws, the stories have a sweet quality that keeps you coming back. The relationship between Bella and Edward is impossibly precious. They spend so much time together, and they would die for each other. However, it is a very unhealthy relationship that is painted in a way that seems sweet and romantic. This creates a false idea of what relationships can and should be.

Impact on My Life

At my age, I should have been beyond such storylines. Instead, I read these books during middle school and became so obsessed with romance that it impacted my relationships for a few years. These books are not good for young women, and I wish I had never been introduced to them.

Enjoyment of Twilight: Movies vs. Books

Though I enjoyed the Twilight movies, particularly the first one, the books are a different story. At the time, I could not finish the first book, and the subsequent books were even worse. The werewolf transformations were the only parts I liked. However, I recently acquired the DVDs at a garage sale, partly to enjoy the Rifftrax commentary, and found the first movie to be incredibly entertaining when viewed in that context.

Family and Friends' Perspectives

I am a 48-year-old woman, so I wasn't the target audience for Twilight. However, I watched the movies and tried to make the most out of it. I remember explaining to my friend Caroline that she would hardly like sleeping with Edward because she sleeps under two eiderdown quilts and a blanket, and with a dog for warmth. I also told my friend Gaby that he wouldn't like to sleep with Jacob and be bitten by a thousand fleas.

Personal Reflection on Admitting Enjoyment

It may seem silly to admit, but I enjoyed Barneyправлен cedar when I was 4-5 years old. Just as Twilight was a hit with my friends when I was a young adult and part of the target audience, I admit that I enjoyed Barney at that age. Nowadays, I read and watch what my children enjoy, and my kids are divided between Team Edward and Team Jacob. But it was fun pointing out to my friends the inconsistencies in Edward and Jacob's lifestyles compared to Bella's.

Reflecting on my experience, I can't help but feel a sense of regret for indulging in the Twilight Saga during a critical period of my life. Despite their fame and popularity, I now understand that these books are detrimental to young women's understanding of relationships. I hope that by sharing my thoughts, others might reflect on their own reading choices from their younger years.