Welcome to The Friends Theory, where we overthink sitcom moments to make sense of real life (and occasionally our own mildly delusional decisions).

This week, we’re talking about growth, audacity, and the terrifying magic of just going for it.

3-minute read. BYO blindfold.

The One Where We Caress The Butt

Insights from “The One with the Stoned Guy” (Season 1 Episode 15)

Picture it:
Ross is trying to talk dirty. Badly.

He’s on a date with Celia, who explicitly asks him to say something hot.
He panics. And blurts out... “Vulva.”

The next day, Joey coaches him through a practice round. Yes, really.

Ross resists. Sweats. Cringes.
And then—awkwardly, mortifyingly—he does it.

It’s mortifying. It’s hilarious. It’s completely outside Ross’s wheelhouse.

And also? Exactly what he needed to do.

Because sometimes, getting what you want means doing the thing that feels impossible—even if you sound like Ross practicing dirty talk with Joey.

Ever Been Here?

I’ve been thinking about that scene a lot lately. Not just because it’s hilarious (though it is), but because it perfectly captures something we all face:

👉 We want something.
👉 We resist the uncomfortable step.
👉 We do it anyway… and that’s what unlocks the next thing.

And it got me thinking…

Not the “pretend everything’s fine” kind of denial.
The “act like this is definitely happening and figure it out on the way” kind.

The Delusion That Works

When I was 27, I told the CEO of my company—who happened to run the New York office—that I wanted to live and work in New York.

It was bold. Possibly delusional. Definitely outside my comfort zone.

Six months later? I was living in Manhattan.

Turns out, wanting wasn’t the magic.
Asking was.

I used to operate in what I now call strategic delusion—not denial, just belief that the wild idea might actually work. And lately…I think she's back 🔥. That girl who asked for wild things. Who believed the crazy idea might just work. I've started listening to her again—and it feels electric.

Because when you believe something might work, you:

• Put yourself in different rooms

• Ask different questions

• Say yes to things that scare you

• Tell the CEO you want to move to New York

Try This On - Your Ross Moment

So here’s your one takeaway this week:

What’s the uncomfortable ask you’ve been avoiding?

That thing that feels a little bold, a little embarrassing, a little too “tell me you want to caress my butt.”

Maybe it’s:

• Asking for the raise

• Pitching the weird idea

• Telling someone exactly what you want

• Asking for feedback on something that really matters to you

Whatever it is, it probably lives just outside your comfort zone.

And that’s the exact zip code where momentum lives.

Final Thought- Your Delulu Era Awaits

The best things in life often start in moments that feel slightly mortifying.
But if you want something new, you have to be willing to say something new. To try something uncomfortable. To get a little weird.

So go ahead.
Say the thing. Ask the question. Pitch the idea.

More sitcom therapy next Tuesday,
Lucy xx

P.S. If you're ready to make the ask but need a nudge, start here 👇

Thanks for reading The Friends Theory. I appreciate you so much ❤️