Welcome to The Friends Theory, where we use classic sitcom moments to reframe modern life.

This week: naps, denial, and why admitting what you actually like might be the most freeing thing you ever do.

3-minute read. Bring a blanket.

The One With Where Your Ego Takes a Nap

Insights from “The One With the Nap Partners" (Season 7, Episode 6)

🎬 Picture it:
Ross and Joey are watching Die Hard.
They fall asleep. Accidentally. Together.

When they wake up, it’s chaos.

Cue panic.
Denial.
Overcompensation.
A lot of “Dude, no! What the hell was that?!” energy.

But then, Joey cracks.
He admits it.

Ross fights it…then finally surrenders too. And it. Feels. So. Good. Why? Because nothing feels better than admitting what you actually like.

Ever Been Here?

Maybe you haven’t accidentally napped with your best friend mid–Bruce Willis marathon (no judgment if you have).
But you have done the same thing emotionally:

You’ve liked something — or someone — and immediately told yourself, “No, that’s not me.”

You’ve had your own internal nap war:

Joey: “This feels great, just go with it!”
Ross: “No. Absolutely not. What will people think?”

And somewhere between those two voices, your inner peace goes to die.

The Internal Nap War

Here’s what I think:

Joey is your authentic self: unfiltered, joyful, shameless about pleasure.
Ross is your ego: afraid of looking foolish, of being “too much,” of being judged.

Joey naps.
Ross overthinks.

But the best things happen when they meet in the middle.
When you stop fighting yourself.
When you let both sides relax for a second.

Because pretending is exhausting.
And no one’s actually watching you as closely as you think.

Spoiler: they’re not watching you at all. 

Confession Time

For years, I’ve said I don’t like cheese.
But I do.
I LIKE THE CHEESE, OK.

It just has to be melted, mild, and preferably on pizza.

Other things I’ve secretly liked but pretended I didn’t:

• Taylor Swift (she’s super cool, ok?!)

• Cheesy pop music (…is cheese a theme here?)

• Slow mornings

• Big cities and the countryside

• Jelly sweets meant for teenagers, not people in their 40s

Feels good to say it out loud!!

We spend so much energy trying to have better taste, higher standards, cooler preferences.
But liking things — especially the “uncool” things — doesn’t make you less evolved.
It makes you human.

The crazy part? The minute you stop defending your image, you actually become cooler.
Because nothing is more magnetic than someone who genuinely enjoys themselves.

The Science Bit (that proves Joey was right)

Psychologists call this authenticity avoidance — when we overthink who we “should” be so much that we lose touch with what we actually like. Turns out, even authenticity can become a performance. 

On the flip side, self-acceptance reduces anxiety, boosts resilience, and even improves creativity.

Translation:
Joey was right.
You’ll rest easier when you stop fighting yourself.

Try This On - What’s Your Nap?

What’s your version of the nap (or the cheese)?

• The thing you secretly love but hide?

• The preference that doesn’t fit your “brand”?

• The simple joy you keep earning permission for?

You don’t have to justify it, brand it, or explain it.
Just enjoy it.

Let Joey nap.
Ross can take a break.

Final Thought- Nap It Up

Ross and Joey spent a whole episode pretending they didn’t love that nap.
But the truth came out… and when it did, it was freeing, funny, and kind of perfect.

So go ahead…like what you like. Dance to that song. Watch that cheesy show. EAT. THE. CHEESE.

You’ll probably find it’s the best nap you ever had.

Plus, no one’s judging.
They’re probably napping, too.

See you next Thursday,
Lucy xx
AKA Queen of the Reframe

P.S. If you're thinking about taking a nap, start here👇

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