Why I Adore The Mindy Project

You’re probably familiar with Mindy Kaling, aka Kelly Kapoor from The Office, and her latest and greatest show, The Mindy Project. As the show’s creator, co-producer, and main star, Kaling hits an absolute home-run not only with the overall rom-comedy of the show, but with her character—also named Mindy—and her antics of living, working, and finding love in New York City.

When The Mindy Project first aired in September 2012, I was ready. I not only loved her character on The Office, but her twitter account KILLED me. Her whit, humor, and ability to poke fun at herself was refreshing, honest, and hilarious. As a millennial, I find her highly relatable.

Anyone on @etsy make a pillow yet that says “Boobs look good, skin is clear, wrangled my house key off my massive keychain, let’s do this.”

— Mindy Kaling (@mindykaling) May 22, 2014

In The Mindy Project, Kaling doesn’t disappoint and her brilliance is apparent throughout the show. Her lifestyle makes me thankful for what I have… basically, I am happy that I am out of the dating scene.

Be who you are.

It is not all sunshine and creatively styled outfits for Mindy. Not only do many of her relationships fail—falling in love with a rich sports agent who turns out to be an addict—but Mindy goes onto show how a person can do a job well AND with passion (not wanting to drop her non-insured patients when a new career opportunity arises. Can I get a hell yeah?), all without ignoring who she is as a person (pop obsessed, awkward, rom-com addict). That is no easy task. Sometimes her personality is her greatest strength and her greatest flaw. But she is always herself, regardless of the result. You have to give her props for that.

Knowing what you want and need.

In Season 2, Mindy is engaged to a hip-hop style mainline pastor, Casey, who has a ‘what-is-my-true-calling?’ crisis. When Casey can’t decide what his true calling in life should be, their relationship gets complicated. Should he be a Pastor? Missionary? DJ? …. Spoiler alert… he ends up being a shoe designer in LA… Mindy realizes what she wants and NEEDS. She needed someone stable. Someone that wasn’t still looking to find themselves. She knew her limits, and the engagement was over.

This was a highly relatable moment. A human moment. People fall in love all the time and realize that it’s not 100% about happiness, but what you  need. I don’t believe this is selfish, I believe it is honest. It takes strength to stop a relationship, but The Mindy Project goes there with a laugh along the way.

Mindy is honest.

She is honest with herself and with others. She may compare her life, and those around her, to celebrity crushes, but she tells others how she feels. It may not feel that way when she’s dishing out her long-winded weekend plans or talking about how she reads Bridget Jones’ Diary when she’s sick, but she will tell you anything you ask, and if she believes you are being rude or invasive, she’ll tell you that too.

This strong female character makes me excited about the future of television.

Thanks Mindy Kaling.

The Mindy Project airs Tuesday nights on FOX.