25 Days of Sam-mas Day #22: 7 life lessons we’ve learned from Sam Winchester

Sam Winchester has certainly learned plenty about life in Supernatural. We’ve picked up things along the way. For the 25 Days of Sam-mas Day #22, it’s time to look at the seven biggest life lessons we’ve learned from Sammy.

Over the last 13 and a half years of Supernatural, Sam Winchester has learned plenty about life. He’s also taught us plenty along the way. For Day #22 (can you believe there are only three days left?) of the 25 Days of Sam-mas, it’s time to look at the biggest life lessons we’ve learned from Sammy.

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It can seem odd for a fantasy show to teach life lessons. These aren’t jokey lessons that are linked to hunting ghosts and demons (although, the Winchesters have definitely taught me to have an iron poker, holy water, and salt by my bed at all times!), but practical lessons we can use in life.

These are all things Sam has learned over the years of Supernatural and we’ve learned along with him. It’s time to take them on board in life if you haven’t already.

7. There will always be people out there who want to manipulate you

All Winchesters have learned this at some point, but Sam more than most. This was especially the case in Supernatural Seasons 3 and 4. Ruby was one devious demon. From the minute she stepped into Sam’s life in the Season 3 premiere, she made it clear that she was out to manipulate.

Well, okay, no, she didn’t make that clear. Looking back she did but she made it clear she was one all demons should take some pointers from.

As Sam learned that he’d been manipulated all this time, we learned to watch out for those around us who were manipulating or using us. Never put all your trust in people you have a gut feeling about.

6. You’re only as weak as you allow yourself to be

Supernatural touches on weaknesses now and then. And it’s not about physical weaknesses, but mental and emotional weaknesses. Sam Winchester has certainly learned more times than one that he’s only as weak as he allows himself to be.

He’s managed to fight against a demon blood addiction, struggled with “Lucinations,” and managed to overcome his fears. In the 14th season, he finally stepped up to become a leader. He’s managed to put together a group of hunters and practices from the British Men of Letters to keep everyone safe.

5. Being smart is a superpower

School isn’t the only time you learn. We’ve realized over the years that we’re constantly learning life lessons and that’s something Sammy has taught us over the years. He’s routinely looking into the lore of creatures and finding ways to take them down.

While Dean tends to be the brawn now, Sammy is the smart one. And being smart is most definitely a superpower. From testing theories to get rid of racist trucks to reverse exorcisms, this is a guy who proves there’s no shame in having an IQ higher than others.

Without him, Dean would have been dead 100 times more than he already was. Hey, it was the Sam smarts that helped to bring an end of the Groundhog Day-style episode.

4. Don’t be so serious all the time

Sometimes you need to let your luxurious hair down and have some fun. Sam doesn’t do this that much, definitely not as much as his brother. However, he has learned that it’s okay to have some fun now and then.

His seriousness started all the way back in the first episode. While Jess and his friends enjoyed the Halloween party, Sam made it clear that he wasn’t in the partying mood. And I get that this was a running thing for him.

Over the years, we’ve seen him happiest when he’s not taken everything so seriously all the time. He’s been able to relax just for a little while and it’s been good for him. It’s good for us, too!

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3. Family always trumps revenge

Remember when the series started and Sam was all about revenge? Throughout that season, he learned that revenge isn’t everything. Family will always trump revenge and it’s an important life lesson we need to take on.

In subsequent years, Sam has learned that revenge isn’t everything. You don’t suddenly feel better because you’ve killed the demon that took away your family. He’s helped others, including us, realize that lesson and then helped them move on after they’ve got their revenge.

Plus, family always comes first and family definitely doesn’t end with blood. While Dean learned it first, Sam has picked up on that and we’re learning with him.

2. You are allowed to move on

It took a long time for Sam to truly move on from Jess. While he started his journey at the end of the first season, it wasn’t until the second season and onward that he really stopped feeling guilty.

You don’t have to mourn for the rest of your life. Sam had figured some of this out from his dad, who spent decades on a journey to get revenge for the death of Mary. However, it took his own loss to understand it the most.

Then there are the events of Season 8. Sam allowed himself to move on. Okay, this was questionable considering the fact that Dean was stuck in purgatory, but there was a lesson in here. Sam believed his brother was dead and he allowed himself to move on. Had Dean actually died, I think we’d have accepted this more and there is a lesson in here.

1. Talking about your fears is okay

The Winchesters have a bad habit of bottling everything up. Sam has kept his own secrets over the years, including his visions way back in the first season. I think Supernatural Season 13 was the most poignant for this lesson for Sammy, though.

He and Rowena had the chance to talk about their joint fear of Lucifer. They’d both seen Lucifer’s real face and were trying to deal with that fear in their own ways. I wish they’d done more with this connection and bond the two created (although maybe there’s more to come in the future) but we got to see that talking about fears is okay. It may not always help right away, but it’s good to get things off the chest.

What life lessons have you learned from Sam Winchester? Which life lessons have been most improtant for you? What does Sam still need to learn himself? Share in the comments below.

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